Simple Zesty Lime Salad Dressing
Use this fresh and delicious Zesty Lime Salad Dressing as a marinade for grilled chicken or seafood, or a dressing for your next salad. So Tasty!

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Use this fresh and delicious Zesty Lime Salad Dressing as a marinade for grilled chicken or seafood, or a dressing for your next salad. So Tasty!

Why you’ll love this Zesty Lime Salad Dressing
Who buys bottled salad dressing anymore? I rarely do- maybe a bottle of ranch or blue cheese for a batch of wings, but generally speaking, I make my own homemade salad dressings. I personally like the bitter flavors of this salad dressing on similarly bitter lettuce, like frisee or radicchio with a little bit of sweet cranberries or candied nuts. Zesty Lime Salad Dressing can also be used as a marinade for chicken or seafood and a basting sauce for grilled vegetables.

Ingredients you’ll need to make a Zesty Lime Salad Dressing:
The ingredients for this zesty salad dressing are common pantry staples:
- Lime juice
- Dijon mustard
- Olive oil, extra virgin
- Rice vinegar
- Honey
- Sea salt, and
- Ground black pepper
How to make the Zesty Lime Vinaigrette
This simple homemade Kraft copycat zesty lime salad dressing is guaranteed to get you back into the salad making mood again, it really will. I promise it will brighten up any winter blues that might be starting to settle in.
The steps to making this are super easy:
- Zest and juice lime into a small bowl.
- Whisk in remaining ingredients and refrigerate until ready to use.
Make this Zesty Lime Salad Dressing then check out my Mixed Berry Vinaigrette Salad Dressing Recipe, Easy Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing and Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing and more of my Crazy Good Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes.

Can I use bottled lime juice instead of fresh limes?
Certainly! Using bottled lime juice in your zesty lime salad dressing is a convenient option. It can save you time and still provide a nice lime flavor to your dressing. Just keep in mind that fresh lime juice might have a slightly brighter and more vibrant taste compared to bottled juice. If you choose to use bottled lime juice, make sure it’s 100% pure lime juice without any added preservatives or sweeteners. Start by substituting an equal amount of bottled lime juice for the fresh lime juice in your recipe, and then adjust to taste.
How to store leftover vinaigrette dressing
This homemade vinaigrette must be kept in an airtight container (such as a u003ca href=u0022https://www.amazon.com/Regular-Mouth-Airtight-Chalkboard-Preserving-Overnight/dp/B096WBXF9R?crid=YP9MDS5Q7R65u0026amp;keywords=8oz+mason+jarsu0026amp;qid=1647693563u0026amp;sprefix=8oz%2Caps%2C408u0026amp;sr=8-5u0026amp;linkCode=ll1u0026amp;tag=moonthru-20u0026amp;linkId=39d25c031f3bea24a67c1057e004c7eeu0026amp;language=en_USu0026amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tlu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollowu0022u003emason jaru003c/au003e) for u003cstrongu003e1 to 2 weeks in the refrigeratoru003c/strongu003e. It’s definitely worth the 5 minutes it takes to make your own salad dressings because you can keep it on hand for all of your salad needs, or use it to marinate chicken later in the week.
Can I substitute limes with another citrus fruit?
Certainly, you can substitute limes with other citrus fruits to create a different variation of your zesty salad dressing. Some citrus fruits that work well as alternatives to limes include:u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eLemons:u003c/strongu003e Lemons provide a similar level of tartness and freshness to your dressing. Lemon zest can also add a nice aroma.u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eOranges:u003c/strongu003e Using oranges will add a sweeter and milder citrus flavor to your dressing. It’s a great choice if you prefer a less tangy dressing.u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eGrapefruits:u003c/strongu003e Grapefruits can offer a unique, slightly bitter and tangy flavor to your dressing. They can be a refreshing choice for a twist.u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eTangerines:u003c/strongu003e Tangerines provide a sweet and slightly tart flavor, making your dressing more vibrant and fruity.u003cbru003eWhen substituting, start by using the same amount of juice as your original recipe called for with limes. However, keep in mind that the flavor profile will change, so you may need to adjust other ingredients to balance the taste to your liking. Experiment and have fun creating unique variations of your salad dressing!
What type of salads does this dressing pair well with?
The zesty lime salad dressing pairs well with a variety of salads, thanks to its vibrant and citrusy flavor. Here are some types of salads that work beautifully with this dressing:u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eMixed Greens Saladu003c/strongu003e: A simple mix of different greens like lettuce, spinach, and arugula with this dressing can be refreshing and tangy.u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eGrilled Chicken Saladu003c/strongu003e: This dressing adds a zesty kick to grilled chicken salad, enhancing the overall flavor with its citrus notes.u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eQuinoa Salad:u003c/strongu003e Combine cooked quinoa with diced vegetables and herbs, then drizzle the zesty lime dressing for a flavorful and healthy grain salad.u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eAvocado Saladu003c/strongu003e: The bright flavors of the dressing complement the creamy richness of avocados, creating a perfect balance.u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eShrimp or Seafood Saladu003c/strongu003e: Whether you have a shrimp, crab, or mixed seafood salad, the zesty lime dressing provides a wonderful seafood-friendly tang.u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eFruit Saladu003c/strongu003e: For a unique twist, use the dressing on a fruit salad with a mix of fresh fruits like mango, strawberries, and kiwi.u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eBean Saladu003c/strongu003e: Combine black beans, corn, red onions, and bell peppers with the dressing for a Tex-Mex-inspired bean salad.u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eAsian Saladu003c/strongu003e: If you enjoy Asian-inspired salads, this dressing can work well with ingredients like Napa cabbage, mandarin oranges, and sliced almonds.u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eTaco Saladu003c/strongu003e: Drizzle the dressing on a taco salad with ground beef or turkey, lettuce, cheese, and other taco toppings for a zesty flavor.u003cbru003eu003cstrongu003eGrilled Vegetable Saladu003c/strongu003e: This dressing can add a zing to grilled vegetable salads with vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and asparagus.u003cbru003eThe zesty lime salad dressing’s versatility makes it a great choice for various salad combinations. Feel free to experiment and discover your favorite pairings!
Frequently asked questions about this zesty salad dressing:
More Salad and Salad Dressing Recipes for Lunch:
- Strawberry Almond Salad with Honey Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
- Zesty Lime Salad Dressing
- Corn and Black Bean Quinoa Salad
- Blueberry Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
- Healthy Broccoli Salad *POPULAR
- Easy Greek Quinoa Salad
- Berry and Spinach Salad with Balsamic Salad Dressing
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Zesty Lime Salad Dressing Recipe
Equipment You’ll Need
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup olive oil (extra virgin)
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Zest and juice lime into a small bowl.
- Whisk in remaining ingredients and refrigerate until ready to use.
Notes
Nutrition
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