This Honey Lime Cilantro Dressing is a divine trio of fresh flavors that goes so well with any salad. But it goes exceptionally well with this spinach strawberry salad (recipe included). In fact, it's the best dressing for any strawberry spinach salad recipe.
I was first introduced to a version of this honey lime dressing recipe at a cooking class my daughter took through her Girl Guides group. This dressing is easy to make and WW friendly at 2 WW points for 2 tbsp's.
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After her class, she let me sample this lime cilantro vinaigrette and I thought it was so amazing that I had to share it!
🥘 Ingredients
I love this recipe because it uses a combination of fresh simple ingredients and pantry ingredients. For this recipe, you'll need:
- fresh lime juice
- fresh cilantro
- honey
- oil
- garlic
- salt and pepper
- chili flakes
*see recipe card for quantities
🔪 Instructions
How to make Honey Lime Cilantro Salad Dressing: All you do is mix everything together and whisk, or better yet, SHAKE (see Equipment below)!
How to make Strawberry Spinach Salad: Again, simply mix the fresh spinach (it’s best to use baby spinach so you don't have to worry about chopping it up) chopped red onion, sliced fresh strawberries and toasted pecans together. You could also add goat cheese or blue cheese, as well as sunflower seeds.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees/175 degrees C.
- Add pecans in a single layer in pie plate or baking sheet and roast for 5 to 10 minutes in preheated oven (you can line with baking sheet/plate with parchment paper, if you prefer but you don't need to).
- Stir or shake the pan occasionally so the nuts brown evenly without burning.
*NOTE: Do not walk away and leave this unattended- it will burn!
🥗 Salads to go with this honey lime dressing recipe
I've included the recipe for my simple Spinach Pecan Salad with juicy strawberries, which this vinaigrette recipe pairs exquisitely with. But here are a few more of my favorite salads:
- Cajun Chicken Mango with creamy avocado Salad (shown -this is the recipe it was originally created for and it's the perfect salad for it!)
- Spring Salad with Fiddleheads
- Grilled Steak Salad with Feta
- Garden Salad
This would also make a great lime cilantro dressing for tacos!
📖 Variations & Substitutions
- Cilantro: If you don't have fresh cilantro, you can use dried, but it won't taste as good or fresh. Use only half the amount of dried cilantro.
- Lime: you can use lime juice from concentrate, but you only need ½ the amount (2 ½ tablespoon )
- Salad: you can use lettuce or spring mix instead of spinach and substitute walnuts for the pecans, if desired.
- Oil - you can substitute another kind of oil, such as canola oil. *NOTE: if you use another oil, it could alter the taste.
👪 Serving size
This recipe is for an entire salad, which serves 4 people (as a meal). If you are using it as a side salad, it will serve 8 people. 2 tbsp's of the dressing is 2 WW points on my plan.
You can half, double or triple this recipe. Simply click on the blue serving size, select the number of servings you need and the amounts will adjust accordingly!
🔢WW Points
WITH THE SALAD, it's a total of 4.5 Weight Watchers points, if you have it as a meal (the whole salad divided by 4, with 2 tablespoons of dressing) As a side, the points will be a 3 WW points.
🍽 Equipment
You don't need any special equipment to make this recipe but I do recommend using a salad shaker (aka Tupperware Quick shakes- affiliate link). My mom gave me one of these years ago and I love using it for everything from dressings to gravies. This is one of those "you don't know how much you needed it, until you have it" kinda things). And it will last you forever- I think I’ve had mine 25+ years.
🌡️Storage
Store this cilantro salad dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Be sure to store the salad and dressing in separate containers.
💭 Top tip
Don’t put the dressing on your salad until just prior to serving. This prevents it from getting soggy.
This salad with honey lime dressing makes a great meal, side and is perfect for a summer potluck! So, if you are searching for a simple, delicious, and versatile Honey Lime Cilantro Dressing with fresh ingredients, for your strawberry spinach salad (or any salad) then look no further! It's the VERY BEST dressing for strawberry spinach salad!
📋 Honey Lime Cilantro Dressing recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
Strawberry Spinach Pecan Salad
- 10 oz -bag of baby spinach
- ½ cup pecans halves
- 1 lb - container of strawberries
- ⅓ cup - chopped or thinly sliced red onions
Honey Lime Cilantro Dressing
- 5 tablespoon fresh lime juice * the juice from 2 whole limes
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 4 tablespoon olive oil * can substitute canola oil
- ¼ teaspoon minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes optional
- 2 teaspoon cilantro chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Salad Dressing
- Add all ingredients to a bowl or salad shaker and shake or whisk together.
Toast Pecans
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees/175 degrees C.
- Add pecans in a single layer in pie plate or baking sheet and roast for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Stir or shake the pan occasionally so the nuts brown evenly without burning. *NOTE: Do not walk away and leave this unattended- it will burn!
Salad
- Mix all salad ingredients together in a large bowl.
- Just prior to serving, pour dressing over salad and mix.
Bernice
Honey and lime!! That's a superb combination for a salad dressing. It would be great as shown or even on a fruit salad.
Vanessa
I love homemade dressings! Thanks for the salad idea to pair this with!
Colleen
I love this salad dressing! It's definitely a favourite in my house. So simple but delicious and goes with pretty much any salad!
Nicole
This dressing is so fresh and bright, perfect for summer! My husband loves cilantro and is always saying I need to use it more, so we will definitely be adding this to our salad rotation.
AmyG
Honey and lime are such great flavors that play on one another. What a great dressing for a salad this summer!