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Home Recipes Sauces & Dressings Chili Lime Vinaigrette Recipe

Chili Lime Vinaigrette Recipe

by Jennifer Debth August 5, 2019
75 Comments
4.87 from 52 votes
JUMP TO RECIPE
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

This Chili Lime Vinaigrette Recipe can be used as a marinade, sauce, or salad dressing! Incredibly easy to make and so versatile!

chili lime vinaigrette in mason jar

Quick Navigation
  • General
  • Ingredients
  • How to make
  • Get the recipe
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Fresh or bottled lime?
  • How many calories
  • Tips
  • Variations
  • Ways to use
  • How long does dressing last
  • How to store
  • Nutrition information

The most important component of a salad to me is the dressing. You can pretty much throw anything into a bowl and call it a salad, but a good dressing can take it from average to AMAZING!

Well, today’s chili lime vinaigrette recipe DEFINITELY takes any salad to the next level!

Ingredients

With the perfect blend of spices plus 4 additional ingredients, this healthy dressing recipe is SO easy and flavorful!

  • Extra-Virgin Olive Oil – our healthy fat that adds creaminess to the dressing. Use a “smooth” vs “robust” extra virgin olive oil for a mild flavor.
  • Lime Juice – adds a delicious tang to the dressing.
  • Honey – cuts the tanginess of the lime juice with a sweet flavor.
  • Garlic – rounds out the dressing with its nutty flavor. If you don’t have fresh, use ground garlic powder instead.
  • Chili Powder, Cumin, Smoked Paprika, Salt, and Cayenne Pepper – the perfect blend of spices that adds a Mexican inspired flair to this lime vinaigrette.

I LOVE that this recipe uses pantry staple ingredients. Freshly squeezed lime is GREAT, but I’ve had plenty of success with 100% lime juice from a bottle.

How to make chili lime vinaigrette

Place everything into a sealed container, shake, and serve!

  1. Place all your ingredients in a mason jar, food processor, or blender and then shake or blend until fully combined.

You can use a mason jar, food processor, or blender to make this vinaigrette, but I prefer using a mason jar, because you can pour, shake, serve, and store all in the same container!

Less dirty dishes? Yes please!

vinaigrette in quinoa salad

Do i use fresh or already-squeezed lime juice?

You can use fresh or already-squeezed juice in this lime vinaigrette . . . It really doesn’t matter! Cook’s preference. I love the freshness that comes with squeezing my own lime juice, but if you’re crunched for time, bottled lime juice works just as well!

How many calories are in this vinaigrette?

This healthy vinaigrette recipe is just 54 calories, 5 grams of fat, 2 grams of carbs, and 1 gram of protein per tablespoon.

I love making my own salad dressings, because they’re typically lower in calories, healthier, more flavorful, and super easy!

Tips

  • Shake well. Your dressing will naturally separate as it’s stored in the fridge, so be sure to shake and re-shake before serving!
  • Let it come to room temperature before serving. If the oil has started to congeal from being in the fridge, set the dressing out 10 minutes before serving. Then, yep, give it another shake! 😉
  • Make it in advance for meal prep lunches. Or make it as a last minute “oops” I need lunch. This dressing is so easy, I love making a batch to keep in the fridge.

Variations

  • Make it spicier. If you like things extra spicy, add more cayenne! You could also try adding crushed red pepper flakes or even a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce.
  • Make it sweeter. Or less sweet. Add as much or as little honey as you’d like.
  • Make it tangier. Or less tangy. Add as much or as little lime as you’d like.
  • Add some lime zest. If you squeeze your own lime juice, you can use the peel from the lime and add some zest to your dressing for some additional lime flavor!

Ways to use chili lime vinaigrette

You can use this healthy vinaigrette as a marinade, a salad dressing, or a sauce for quinoa salad or rice bowls. The possibilities are endless.

  • Use it as a marinade for this Crockpot Mexican Chicken
  • Use it as a salad dressing for these Chicken Burrito Bowls
  • Use it as a sauce for this Mexican Quinoa Salad

How long does homemade vinaigrette last

This healthy dressing recipe will last in the fridge for up to a week so you can have it for your meals all week long!

vinaigrette blue background

How to store

Store your vinaigrette in a sealed mason jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week!

I don’t recommend freezing this because it will separate and the consistency will not be the same when thawed.

Plus, it’s so good you won’t need to store it that long anyway. 😉

– Jennifer

jar of chili lime vinaigrette

Chili Lime Vinaigrette

4.87 from 52 votes
This Chili Lime Vinaigrette Recipe can be used as a marinade, sauce, or salad dressing! Incredibly easy to make and so versatile!
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
Yield: 20 tablespoons
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Ingredients

US Customary - Metric
  • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 4 cloves  garlic pressed using a garlic press
  • 1  teaspoon  chili powder
  • 1  teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ - 1  teaspoon  salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne

Instructions

  • Place olive oil, lime juice, honey, garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and cayenne into a mason jar, blender, or food processor.
  • Seal and shake or blend until well combined.
  • Taste and re-season if necessary.
  • Use immediately.
  • Store leftovers in a sealed airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Let come to room temperature before serving.
  • Take 5 seconds to rate this recipe below. We greatly appreciate it!
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STORING
Room Temp:N/A
Refrigerator:7 Days
Freezer:N/A
*Storage times may vary based on temperature and conditions

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Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts
Chili Lime Vinaigrette
Amount Per Serving (1 g)
Calories 54 Calories from Fat 45
% Daily Value*
Fat 5g8%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 148mg6%
Potassium 16mg0%
Carbohydrates 2g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 136IU3%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
Calcium 3mg0%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.

Keywords: chili lime, Mexican inspired, salad dressing
Enjoy this recipe?
Tag @showmetheyummy on Instagram and hashtag it #showmetheyummy
Course: Dressing, Salad
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Author: Jennifer Debth

This post has been updated to provide more detailed content.

Filed Under: Gluten Free, Healthy, Lunch, Recipes, Salads, Sauces & Dressings, Vegan, Vegetarian

Reader Interactions

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  1. Anonymous

    Seattle, Washington

    September 5, 2024 at 5:22 pm

    5 stars
    Reply
  2. Kim

    August 9, 2024 at 10:35 am

    5 stars Excellent flavor. I add it to tacos, chicken and black bean tostadas or bowls!!! Love it
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      August 27, 2024 at 8:03 am

      I’m glad you’re finding a lot of uses for it!
  3. Pam

    United States

    July 31, 2024 at 5:15 pm

    5 stars One of my very favorites!!!
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      August 27, 2024 at 8:08 am

      Thank you Pam!
  4. Lydia

    San Jose, California

    June 20, 2024 at 11:48 pm

    5 stars This is one of my favorite dressing recipes! It works with part lime, part lemon, or all lemon juice if you don’t have limes. I add a little Dijon and I love chipotle chili powder instead of the cayenne. It’s amazing. Thanks for posting!
    Reply
    • Lydia

      San Jose, California

      June 20, 2024 at 11:50 pm

      5 stars I forgot to mention, I add a tiny sprinkle of cumin only and I used powdered garlic as raw garlic hurts my stomach.
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      June 24, 2024 at 7:38 am

      Thank you so much Lydia!
  5. Ola

    Parker, Colorado

    April 29, 2024 at 4:44 pm

    5 stars Awesome flavor! Thanks for sharing
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      April 30, 2024 at 9:55 am

      So glad you liked it, Ola!
  6. Patty

    San Jose, California

    March 16, 2024 at 4:42 pm

    5 stars My go to for all salads and bowls! Never disappoints.
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      March 16, 2024 at 7:32 pm

      Thanks so much Patty!
  7. Bob

    Greenville, South Carolina

    January 18, 2024 at 4:27 pm

    5 stars
    Reply
    • Mags

      Livingston, Scotland

      June 12, 2024 at 3:07 am

      5 stars Simply delicious salad dressing and great for marinade too.
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      June 13, 2024 at 2:22 pm

      thank you!
  8. Kmh

    Lilburn, Georgia

    October 7, 2023 at 10:36 am

    4 stars
    Reply
  9. Amy

    United States

    August 10, 2023 at 4:37 pm

    5 stars Yummy!!
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      August 15, 2023 at 8:53 pm

      Thanks Amy!
  10. Thomas🍀❤️

    Sheffield, England

    July 25, 2023 at 8:48 am

    Absolutely superb for me the best ever.🍀❤️
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      July 25, 2023 at 11:15 am

      Thanks Thomas!
  11. Jo

    Erie, Pennsylvania

    June 11, 2023 at 10:24 am

    5 stars
    Reply
  12. Jojo

    Canada

    May 5, 2023 at 6:51 pm

    5 stars
    Reply
  13. Anonymous

    United Kingdom

    April 6, 2023 at 8:25 pm

    5 stars
    Reply
  14. Anonymous

    United Kingdom

    January 13, 2023 at 6:54 am

    5 stars
    Reply
  15. Anonymous

    Houston, Texas

    November 16, 2022 at 6:20 pm

    5 stars
    Reply
  16. Anonymous

    United States

    August 27, 2022 at 9:51 pm

    4 stars
    Reply
  17. Melanie

    Canada

    July 27, 2022 at 2:34 am

    5 stars
    Reply
  18. Anonymous

    Poplar Bluff, Missouri

    July 12, 2022 at 5:41 pm

    5 stars
    Reply
  19. Anonymous

    United States

    July 10, 2022 at 12:52 pm

    5 stars
    Reply
  20. cmartcookie

    Hendersonville, North Carolina

    June 23, 2022 at 1:39 pm

    3 stars I should have trusted my knowledge that a vinaigrette should be 3/4 oil + 1/4 acid. But there were so many good reviews, and I was in a hurry – didn’t want to keep searching for recipes, so decided to try it. Consequently, I had to add more oil and honey in order to balance the acidity, as well as a dollop of mustard to emulsify it. It was very watery, not thick and clingy like I’d prefer to have on salads. However, I’m keeping the recipe with the changes I prefer, because the flavor/mix of spices was satisfactory with watermelon salad.
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      June 23, 2022 at 1:42 pm

      Personal preference. I don’t like super oily dressings! That’s the nice thing about cooking… it’s easy to customize to suit your taste buds.
  21. Sharon

    Albany, Oregon

    May 16, 2022 at 4:02 pm

    5 stars Made this today and loved it. I’m doing low carb and so in place of the honey I used a few drops of Stevia and a little no sugar maple syrup. It was so good on my salad! This helps give me my Chipolte salad fix.
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      May 17, 2022 at 12:59 pm

      Thanks so much Sharon! Glad you were able to make it suit your needs 🙂
  22. Molly

    Costa Mesa, California

    April 11, 2022 at 3:50 pm

    5 stars it turned out super yummy!
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      April 12, 2022 at 8:23 am

      Thanks Molly!
  23. Anonymous

    Naples, Florida

    November 14, 2021 at 1:16 pm

    5 stars
    Reply
  24. Anonymous

    Edmond, Oklahoma

    October 18, 2021 at 6:24 pm

    5 stars
    Reply
  25. Anonymous

    United States

    September 19, 2021 at 9:09 pm

    5 stars
    Reply
  26. Anonymous

    Wakefield, Rhode Island

    September 13, 2021 at 3:48 pm

    5 stars
    Reply
  27. Patricia

    San Jose, California

    August 29, 2021 at 8:00 pm

    5 stars This is one of the best vinaigrettes I have ever made. It reminds me of the Chipotle dressing that they serve with their salads but WAY better. The only change I make is that I use avocado oil instead of olive. So fantastic!
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      September 7, 2021 at 2:10 pm

      Wow! Thanks so much! I love avocado oil!
    • Mary

      Fairfax Station, Virginia

      January 8, 2022 at 8:25 pm

      5 stars Agreed! I just made it, and I thought exactly the same thing!
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      January 10, 2022 at 9:52 am

      Aw yay!
  28. Anonymous

    Evansville, Indiana

    August 19, 2021 at 1:25 pm

    5 stars
    Reply
  29. Anonymous

    United States

    July 10, 2021 at 4:05 pm

    5 stars
    Reply
  30. Susann

    Sarasota, Florida

    June 6, 2021 at 11:38 am

    5 stars Excellent…so good I could almost drink it.?.going to try making it at home
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      June 7, 2021 at 10:05 am

      Thanks so much!
  31. Jess

    Portland, Oregon

    April 18, 2021 at 7:49 pm

    5 stars
    Reply
  32. Anonymous

    Parsippany, New Jersey

    April 8, 2021 at 5:40 pm

    5 stars
    Reply
  33. Melissa

    Boulder, Colorado

    February 27, 2021 at 7:39 pm

    5 stars Soooo good. I wanted mine thicker/creamier, so I added one avocado and blended. Perfect consistency & flavor!
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      March 1, 2021 at 7:04 am

      Thanks, Melissa! 🙂
  34. Anonymous

    Los Angeles, California

    January 26, 2021 at 1:41 pm

    5 stars
    Reply
  35. Anonymous

    Helmetta, New Jersey

    January 17, 2021 at 9:25 am

    5 stars
    Reply
  36. Anonymous

    Helmetta, New Jersey

    January 17, 2021 at 2:01 am

    5 stars
    Reply
  37. Michael

    Tulsa, Oklahoma

    January 14, 2021 at 1:20 pm

    4 stars
    Reply
  38. Anonymous

    Jacksonville, Florida

    January 11, 2021 at 3:48 pm

    5 stars
    Reply
  39. Anonymous

    Seventeen Mile Rocks, Queensland

    January 10, 2021 at 4:47 am

    5 stars
    Reply
  40. Anonymous

    Mumbai, Maharashtra

    January 5, 2021 at 3:18 am

    5 stars
    Reply
  41. Lauren

    United States

    December 9, 2020 at 9:43 pm

    5 stars Love this dressing!! Great recipe.
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      December 10, 2020 at 8:02 am

      Thanks, Lauren! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
  42. Anonymous

    Gibsonia, Pennsylvania

    October 24, 2020 at 6:48 am

    5 stars
    Reply
  43. Anonymous

    Dej, Judetul Cluj

    September 20, 2020 at 9:26 am

    4 stars
    Reply
  44. Janice

    Tampa, Florida

    September 11, 2020 at 3:10 pm

    5 stars
    Reply
  45. M.

    United States

    September 10, 2020 at 2:09 pm

    4 stars Pretty good, just needed some Chipotle Chile Pepper seasoning
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      September 11, 2020 at 10:48 am

      Yum, that sounds good!
  46. Anonymous

    Memphis, Tennessee

    September 5, 2020 at 10:36 pm

    5 stars
    Reply
  47. Priscilla

    Orange, California

    August 12, 2020 at 9:17 pm

    5 stars Used this for a salad dressing. Both hubby and I loved it. He mentioned that it would also make a great marinade. Yup! Will try that too.
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      August 13, 2020 at 8:01 am

      So glad you enjoyed! This would make a fantastic marinade!
  48. Lynn

    Louisville, Kentucky

    July 8, 2020 at 8:07 pm

    5 stars Excellent!
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      July 9, 2020 at 7:54 am

      Thanks Lynn!
  49. Prisilla

    Lewisville, Texas

    June 8, 2020 at 9:40 pm

    5 stars Love this dressing but how should I thicken it it leaves my salad soggy
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      June 9, 2020 at 7:33 am

      So glad you enjoy! 🙂
  50. Prisilla

    Lewisville, Texas

    June 8, 2020 at 9:39 pm

    Love this dressing but how should I thicken it it leaves my salad soggy
    Reply
    • Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy

      June 9, 2020 at 7:33 am

      Hi Prisilla! I’d just suggest adding less dressing to your salad and adding it RIGHT before serving!
  51. Anonymous

    Rocklin, California

    May 27, 2020 at 5:42 pm

    5 stars
    Reply

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