Southwest Dressing
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Published Jun 26, 2024, Updated Jul 12, 2024
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Made with Greek yogurt, lime juice, fresh salsa and a variety of spices, this creamy southwest dressing is packed with tons of flavor and comes together in just 5 minutes.
Say goodbye to boring salads with this Southwest dressing. It’s a creamy blend of Greek yogurt, fresh salsa, lime juice, and spices, bringing a zesty, tangy flavor to any dish. Perfect for drizzling over salads, tacos, or using as a dip, this dressing adds a burst of southwestern flair. Quick to make and packed with fresh ingredients, it’s an easy way to take your meal to the next level!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Dressing
- Flavorful – The combination of Greek yogurt, lime juice, and spices creates a tangy, spicy, and savory dressing that enhances any salad.
- Healthy – Made with Greek yogurt and fresh ingredients, this dressing is a healthier alternative to many store-bought options.
- Versatile – Perfect for salads, as a dip for veggies, or even as a topping for tacos and burritos.
Ingredients Needed
- plain Greek yogurt – I recommend using a thick, high-quality Greek yogurt for the best creamy base. It provides a rich texture and tangy flavor that’s essential for this dressing.
- lime juice – freshly squeezed lime juice adds a bright, zesty flavor. It enhances the overall taste and brings a refreshing acidity.
- cumin – this warm, earthy spice adds depth and a slight smokiness to the dressing. It’s a key component for that classic Southwest flavor.
- chili powder – adds a bit of spice and warmth. Adjust the amount based on your heat preference.
- garlic powder – provides a subtle garlic flavor without overpowering the other ingredients. If you prefer fresh garlic, use one minced clove instead.
- sea salt – enhances all the flavors and balances the acidity and sweetness.
- fresh ground pepper – adds a touch of heat and complements the other spices.
- fresh salsa – use a chunky, fresh salsa for added texture and flavor. It brings a mix of tomatoes, onions, and peppers that elevate the dressing.
- fresh cilantro – chopped cilantro adds a bright, herbal note. If you’re not a fan of cilantro, you can substitute with fresh parsley.
- honey – adds a touch of sweetness to balance the tangy and spicy elements. Adjust the amount to taste.
How to Make
Step 1: Add all ingredients for the dressing into the base of a blender.
Step 2: Blend until fully combined and smooth. You can also use an immersion blender for this.
Recipe Tip
For the best flavor, let the dressing sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the spices to meld together. If the dressing thickens too much, simply add a splash of lime juice or water and stir well before using.
How to Use Southwest Dressing
What I love about this dressing is that it is so versatile! It can be used in so many different ways… here are some ideas:
- Turkey Taco Meal Prep Bowl: Drizzle this Southwest dressing over Turkey Taco Meal Prep Bowls for an added burst of flavor.
- Healthy Taco Salad: Enhance your Healthy Taco Salad with a generous serving of this dressing.
- Southwestern Quinoa Salad: Use it as a dressing for the Southwestern Quinoa Salad to complement the flavors of quinoa and veggies.
- Chicken Fajita Bowls: Top Chicken Fajita Bowls with this dressing for a creamy, zesty finish.
- Superfood Salmon Salad: Drizzle over the Superfood Salmon Salad to add a southwestern twist.
Storing Options
Store any leftover Southwest dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Give it a good shake or stir before using it again to ensure all ingredients are well combined.
It’s normal for the dressing to separate as it sits. Simply whisk or shake the container to bring it back together before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use regular plain yogurt, but the dressing will be thinner. Greek yogurt gives a thicker, creamier texture.
Absolutely! You can substitute the Greek yogurt with a dairy-free yogurt alternative like coconut or almond yogurt.
More Dressing Recipes
- Lemon Vinaigrette
- Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Raspberry Vinaigrette
- Healthy Caesar Dressing
- Italian Dressing
- Blueberry Tahini Dressing
- Creamy Honey Mustard Dressing
Be sure to check out all of my salad dressing recipes on EBF!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Southwest Dressing
Ingredients
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- ⅛ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup fresh salsa
- 2 Tablespoons fresh cilantro
- 1 teaspoon honey
Instructions
- Add all ingredients for the dressing into a blender and blend until fully combined and smooth. You can also use an immersion blender for this.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
So yummy! I didn’t have cilantro on hand and also omitted the garlic because my salsa is very heavy on the garlic, but it still turned out amazing! Can’t wait to try it with the cilantro next time.
YAY! I am so glad you enjoyed this dressing recipe, Rachel. Yes, I highly recommend adding the cilantro, it brings it all together. Thank you for sharing your review + star rating, I appreciate it!
This is DELICIOUS! I had it over a TexMex chopped salad and it was perfect. I love that it has no oil so it counts as 0 WW points. This will definitely be in my rotation!
SO GOOD! Glad you gave this recipe a try and it turned out great for you, Teresa. Thanks for taking the time to share your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!