Zest up your salads with this shiny and flavorful lime French dressing! Learn to make this versatile dressing from scratch in minutes, utilizing easy substances it’s possible you’ll have already got in your kitchen.
Each residence prepare dinner ought to have a go-to lime French dressing. Why? This zingy dressing is extremely versatile — shiny and tangy, and made with substances you may have already got.
This dressing is a pared-back model of my favourite cilantro lime French dressing, highlighting this contemporary herb’s chew. However usually I don’t have cilantro available (or am cooking for a cilantro hater!). So this lime French dressing is the place it’s at, and you may make it in simply 5 minutes with 5 substances.
Components you’ll want
The tactic for this lime French dressing is just like my simple lemon French dressing, impressed by a long-time residence cooking inspiration — Julia Little one. Julia’s dressing referred to as for mashing lemon zest in a mortar and pestle to get a tangy taste all through. I’ve simplified the method even additional and tailored it to make use of lime. Right here’s what you’ll want for this lime French dressing:
- 1 lime (each zest and juice)
- Dijon mustard
- Olive oil
- Maple syrup
- Kosher salt
Easy methods to make lime French dressing
This lime French dressing is fast and straightforward: simply 5 minutes to whisk it up! Once I don’t have a lot time or substances, this lime or lemon French dressing is the place I flip. Listed here are the principle steps for this dressing:
Need a couple of variations? Attempt my cilantro lime dressing or creamy cilantro dressing as a substitute!
Ideas for the proper emulsion
An emulsion is when olive oil and an acid (vinegar or citrus juice) mix into one thickened liquid, as a substitute of separating. Right here’s get an ideal emulsion once you’re whisking:
- Tip 1: Use a medium-sized bowl. Utilizing a really small bowl doesn’t present sufficient area in your whisk to maneuver forwards and backwards, which makes it exhausting to get the liquids to mix. Utilizing a medium-sized bowl, you’ve extra room to whisk, and it’s simpler to whip them collectively.
- Tip 2: Whisk in little bits of oil at a time till mixed. Ensure every little bit is totally mixed earlier than including extra.
Use a great citrus juicer and zester
I exploit citrus on a regular basis in my recipes! Right here’s what I’ve discovered are the very best instruments for working with citrus:
- Use a juicer. I exploit a juicer to rapidly juice citrus and maintain the seeds out. Right here’s the juicer I exploit: it really works nice!
- For zesting: a microplane or grater. I exploit a microplane to make fast work of zesting. When you don’t have one, use a grater. Smaller zesters which are extra like bar instruments don’t work as properly right here.
Need extra lime recipes? Attempt these 15 zingy lime recipes.


Methods to serve this lime French dressing
I developed this lime French dressing as the best dressing choice for my newest Mexican aspect salad. However there are many methods to make use of it! Listed here are my favorites:
Storing leftovers
This lime French dressing recipe lasts as much as 2 weeks refrigerated. Ensure to carry to room temperature earlier than serving, since olive oil-based dressings solidify when chilly.


Dietary notes
This lime French dressing recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
Ceaselessly requested questions
Saved in an hermetic container within the fridge, lime French dressing can final for as much as two weeks. Shake properly earlier than utilizing, because the substances might separate.
Freshly squeezed lime juice is at all times really helpful for the very best taste and aroma.
Lime French dressing is extremely versatile! It’s scrumptious on salads, grilled greens, fish, hen, and even as a marinade for tofu.
In case your French dressing is simply too acidic, add a pinch of sugar or a slight drizzle of honey to steadiness the flavors.
Sure! Vinaigrettes naturally separate when left to take a seat. Merely shake or whisk the combination vigorously earlier than recombining the substances.
Simple Lime French dressing
This lime French dressing is very easy to place collectively: it takes simply 5 substances and 5 minutes! Its zingy taste is ideal for salads of any form.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Prepare dinner Time: 0 minutes
- Whole Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: About ½ cup 1x
- Class: Dressing
- Methodology: Whisked
- Delicacies: American
- 1 lime: 1 tablespoon lime zest and 2 tablespoons lime juice
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, plus extra if wanted
- ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon maple syrup
- ½ cup olive oil
- Zest the lime. Sprinkle it with the kosher salt, then mince it as superb as potential. Holding the blunt fringe of the knife, scrape the sharp fringe of the blade over the minced lime zest, holding the knife at an angle and mashing the zest right into a paste. This could solely take a minute or so: don’t spend too lengthy on it!
- Place the zest in a medium bowl and it whisk along with the Dijon mustard, lime juice, and maple syrup. Progressively whisk within the olive oil 1 tablespoon at a time (8 tablespoons whole), till creamy and emulsified.
- Style and if desired, season with further salt (if the dressing tastes too tart, add a pinch of sugar or a little bit of honey). Retailer refrigerated for as much as 2 weeks; carry to room temperature earlier than serving.