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Southwest Salad Dressing Recipe

4.4 from 74 reviews

A creamy and zesty Southwest Salad Dressing bursting with smoky chipotle, fresh lime, and aromatic spices. Perfect for drizzling over your favorite salads or as a dip, this easy-to-make dressing combines sour cream, mayonnaise, and fresh cilantro for a bold southwestern flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Southwest Salad Dressing Ingredients

  • ¾ cup full-fat sour cream
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup water
  • 4 teaspoons fresh lime juice
  • 2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder (or 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic (approximately 2 large cloves)
  • ½ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves (or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro)

Instructions

  1. Combine Ingredients: Add the sour cream, mayonnaise, water, fresh lime juice, chipotle chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and fresh cilantro leaves to a blender.
  2. Blend Until Smooth: Blend all the ingredients on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth. Pause occasionally to scrape down the sides with a silicone spatula to ensure even blending.
  3. Store and Serve: Transfer the dressing to an airtight container. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to use. This dressing is perfect for salads, as a dip, or as a flavorful sauce.

Notes

  • Use chipotle chili powder for a smoky and spicy flavor, or substitute with ancho chili powder for a milder taste.
  • Fresh cilantro leaves can be chopped if preferred; the flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
  • Adjust salt and black pepper to taste after blending.
  • Refrigerate leftover dressing and consume within 4-5 days for best freshness.

Keywords: Southwest salad dressing, creamy salad dressing, chipotle dressing, smoky dressing, cilantro dressing, southwestern flavors