Cumin Lime Vinaigrette
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Zesty, bright, and earthy best describes this cumin lime vinaigrette. It's the perfect drizzle over any salad or grilled vegetables, and it makes for a great marinade, too! It'll come together in 5 minutes with just a bowl and a whisk!
Hoping to jazz up your next salad? Also try this grapefruit vinaigrette and this creamy balsamic vinaigrette!
If you're looking at that sad lettuce or unseasoned poultry or fish in your fridge and wondering how on earth you'll bring a little excitement to your supper ā this cumin lime vinaigrette is it! It'll bring a nice zing to tonight's table.
Ingredients for cumin lime vinaigrette
Combine all of these ingredients, give a good stir and just like that you have yourself a lime cumin vinaigrette!
- Lime juice: you'll need Ā¼ cup of lime juice and for this recipe and fresh is best! The bottled stuff just won't taste the same.
- Apple cider vinegar: vinegar is the balance to oil, and is part of the foundation of any good vinaigrette. If you don't have apple cider vinegar on hand, you can use white vinegar instead in the same proportions.
- Honey: 1 tablespoon of honey will balance the zest and bite from the cumin and lime juice.
- Ground cumin: 1 teaspoon of ground cumin will add just the right amount of earthy, warm spice to this dressing.
- Dijon mustard: this is the secret ingredient in this vinaigrette, giving a real tang and sharpness to the flavors.
- Sea salt: just Ā¼ teaspoon will enhance the flavor of the dressing but also of whatever you're pouring this over.
- Avocado oil: providing the base for the vinaigrette, this oil has a neutral taste but will help coat your salad.
What to serve with cumin lime vinaigrette
This cumin vinaigrette is a nice complement to many dishes, including South American and Mexican cuisine. Here are some ways you can use and serve cumin lime vinaigrette:
- Mexican-inspired: make this spicy Mexican rice and create a delicious bowl or taco salad using tomatoes, black beans, grilled corn, and this cumin lime vinaigrette recipe!
- Veggies: try this grilled vegetable salad with giant croutons and use the cumin vinaigrette recipe to really bring it to life!
- Marinade: this recipe makes for the perfect marinade! Try it with meat, poultry, or fish. The acid from the vinegar and lime juice will help make any protein nice and tender!
- Salad: This is amazing over our grilled corn salad with bbq sausage, or bring a simple spring mix salad to the next level using this vinaigrette.
Additions and substitutions
One of the best parts of making your own vinaigrette is that you can adjust everything to your liking! Here are some ideas for additions and/or substitutions:
- Lemon: if you don't have limes on hand, you can try lemon cumin vinaigrette! The acidity from the lemon juice will bring a crisp, citrus bite to the vinaigrette, much like limes will.
- Garlic: garlic fans will want to add that distinct sharp taste from garlic to this dressing, you can use finely minced fresh garlic or garlic powder.
- Heat: if you want to turn up the heat a little bit you can try adding jalapeƱo or crushed chili pepper flakes.
- Vegan: you can easily make this a vegan cumin lime vinaigrette by using agave instead of the honey.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use a blender to make this vinaigrette?
If you don't want to whisk by hand, you can use a blender or food processor. Although it's very easy to bring this vinaigrette together by hand.
How to store vinaigrette?
You can store this cumin lime vinaigrette in an airtight container, like a mason jar. It will keep in the fridge for a week or two. When you're ready to serve it again, give it a good shake or stir.
Can I use cumin seeds instead?
It's important to use ground cumin as chewing on cumin seeds won't be a nice addition to your salad. But if all you have are cumin seeds, you can grind them in a spice grinder, mortar and pestle, or a high-powered blender.
Popular vinaigrette recipes
Cumin Lime Vinaigrette Recipe
Ingredients
- Ā¼ cup lime juice (fresh is best!)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- Ā¼ teaspoon sea salt
- Ā¾ cup avocado oil
Instructions
- Add the lime juice, vinegar, honey, cumin, mustard, and salt to a bowl.Ā¼ cup lime juice, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon dijon mustard, Ā¼ teaspoon sea salt, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- Whisk in the oil so the dressing is creamy.Ā¾ cup avocado oil
- Store the dressing in a jar in your fridge for up to a month.
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
For more inspiration, check out all of our salad dressing recipes!
