Honey-Lime Cilantro Dressing Recipe for Salads & Marinades

This Honey Lime Cilantro Dressing is a bright, refreshing combination of honey, lime and cilantro that complements many salads, especially my Strawberry Spinach Pecan Salad. It’s simple to make, full of fresh flavor, and one of my favorite dressings for spinach-based salads.

I first tasted a version of this dressing at a cooking class my daughter took through Girl Guides. The recipe is quick, easy and Weight Watchers friendly — 2 WW points for 2 tablespoons.

After the class she shared the recipe and I loved it so much I wanted to pass it along. If you like homemade dressings, you might also enjoy my Rhubarb Dressing.

🥘 Ingredients

This dressing combines fresh produce with pantry staples. For the Honey Lime Cilantro Dressing you’ll need:

• fresh lime juice
• fresh cilantro
• honey
• oil (olive or another neutral oil)
• garlic
• salt and pepper
• chili flakes (optional)

*See the recipe card below for exact quantities.

🔪 Instructions

How to make Honey Lime Cilantro Salad Dressing: Combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk, or add them to a salad shaker and shake until well combined.

🥗 Salads to pair with this dressing

Strawberry Spinach Pecan Salad is the perfect match, but this dressing also works well with:

It’s also a tasty finishing touch for burrito bowls, tacos or taco salad.

📖 Variations & Substitutions

• Cilantro: Fresh cilantro is best. If using dried, use half the amount and expect a less vibrant flavor.
• Lime: Lime juice from concentrate can be used; use about half the amount specified for fresh juice.
• Salad greens: Swap spinach for lettuce or a spring mix.
• Nuts: Substitute walnuts for pecans if you prefer.
• Oil: Olive oil works well; canola or another neutral oil can be substituted, but the flavor may change slightly.

👪 Serving size

The recipe is scalable — halve, double or triple the quantities to match the number of servings you need. The recipe card below is adjustable.

🔢 WW Points

This recipe makes enough dressing for a salad that serves six as a meal (or eight as a side). Two tablespoons of the dressing equal 2 WW points.

🍽 Equipment

No special tools are required, but a salad shaker makes mixing and storage easy. It’s convenient for dressings and lasts a long time.

🌡️ Storage

Store the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the dressing and salad separate until just before serving.

This honey lime cilantro dressing is versatile — great on spinach salads, as a finishing touch for tacos or bowls, and ideal for summer potlucks. If you want a simple, fresh, and flavorful dressing for strawberries and spinach (or any greens), this is an excellent choice.

📋More Salads