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This fresh, delicious Chili Lime Salad Dressing is fabulous on any salad - it also makes a wonderful sauce for chicken, shrimp, salmon, etc!
Every summer I fall in love, all over again, with the ever-evolving parade of fresh fruits and veggies that the season provides. And I really enjoy coming up with new salad dressings that enhance all the wonderful fresh produce. This Chili Lime Salad Dressing is my current favorite and I'm finding myself drizzling it over everything!
This has been a pretty crazy summer here at The Café. After living in Raleigh, NC for the past 37 years, we're packing up all our worldly belongs and moving to the North Carolina mountains, near Asheville. The big move won't come until early August, but we already closed on the house in Asheville. We've been back and forth, back and forth (10 times now!) between the new house and our home in Raleigh, about a four-hour drive. Sometimes when I wake up at night, I'm not sure which house I'm at... and where the bathroom is!
There hasn't been a ton of time to cook with all this going on... but with all the fresh produce at this time of year and a delicious dressing like this Chili Lime Salad Dressing, we've enjoyed some fabulous meals. In addition to serving this dressing with salads and drizzled over all of Scott's garden stash, I love to grill a few chicken breasts or salmon fillets and use the dressing as a dipping and/or drizzling sauce.
Super Easy
Besides being crazy delicious, this Chili Lime Salad Dressing is almost ridiculously easy. Just throw all the ingredients in a jar, give it a good shake and that's it! The only prep work is to grate a piece of ginger which I like to do with my Microplane zester/grater. But, if you're in a big hurry (like I am so often) keep a tube of Ginger Paste in your freezer. Pull it out whenever you need fresh ginger, allow it to thaw for 10 minutes and squeeze out whatever you need. Then just throw it back in the freezer for next time.
Like I said earlier, this Chili Lime Salad Dressing is wonderful on just about any salad, but I've got a healthy, summery salad recipe coming up that showcases this dressing. A kale salad, loaded with sweet, fresh corn, pretty pickled red onions and the most shatteringly crisp, crunchy sea-salted almonds you'll ever have the pleasure of meeting.
Make a big batch of the dressing today - and you'll have a delicious week as well as being ready for the salad!
Café Tips for making this Chili Lime Salad Dressing
- Serve this dressing with any type of green salad. It's also delicious drizzled over chicken, shrimp, salmon, pork, pea pods, broccoli, bok choy, cucumbers, zucchini...
- An average lime will yield about 2 tablespoons of juice, so you'll need at least two limes to get the 3 tablespoons of lime juice called for in this Chili Lime Salad Dressing recipe. That being said, limes can vary greatly in their juiciness. It's not a bad idea to purchase a few extra.
- How to choose the juiciest limes? Look for limes that have a smooth, shiny skin and that feel heavy in comparison to the others. Roll each lime on the counter firmly before slicing open to soften it and make it easier to squeeze. You can also put them in the microwave for 15 seconds on high power to achieve the same effect.
- This Chili Lime Salad Dressing recipe calls for Chili Garlic Sauce. Chili Garlic Sauce is a wonderful complex condiment that adds fabulous flavor to all kinds of dishes. It's a mixture of coarsely ground chilis and garlic. I think it creates a magical punch of flavor for sauces, soups and salad dressings, with just one little spoonful. After opening, Chili Garlic Sauce will keep well for 6-9 months or longer in the refrigerator. You can find Chili Garlic sauce at almost any grocery store that has an Asian section. It's also available online.
- Take a taste of the salad dressing before serving. Add more Chili Garlic Sauce if you like things a little spicier.
- Use a mild flavored olive oil for this recipe, not over the top fruity or spicy. I really like Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil for salad dressings.
Check out some of our seasonal July recipes from years gone by...
1 year ago - 10 Minute Summer Berry Galette
2 years ago - Garlic Herb Roasted Tomatoes
3 years ago - Lemon, Garlic, and Rosemary Chicken Skewers
4 years ago - Caprese Salad with Fresh Corn
5 years ago - Tomato, Avocado, and Fresh Mozzarella Tartines
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This fresh, delicious Chili Lime Salad Dressing is fabulous on any salad - it also makes a wonderful sauce for chicken, shrimp, salmon, etc!
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger (or ginger paste)
- 1 ½ teaspoons chili garlic sauce
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
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Combine all ingredients in a medium-size glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake, shake, shake.
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Taste and add more chili garlic sauce and/or salt and pepper, to taste.
See Café Tips above for additional instructions, tips and ways to use this salad dressing.
Shawn says
Love the dressing! I’ve changed it just a bit by adding some lime ponzu, and I live in China so the chili oil I like really has a kick. Some serious kick. There is a limited selection of salad dressings here so I’ve been making my own and I love this one!
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Awesome! Thank you for letting us know, Shawn!
Nicole says
This is the best chili lime dressing I have ever had! I have made it several times. I love it for slaw type of salads and on burgers that contain slaw. Pairs well with fish as well.
Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine says
Wonderful! Thanks for letting us know, Nicole!
Mary Stuart says
Hi Chris, my bad, I didn't read far enough on the tips for the chile garlic sauce. No need to reply
Chris Scheuer says
Enjoy, Mary! 🙂
Mary Stuart says
Hi Chris, may I ask what brand of chile garlic sauce would you recomend?
Sonu says
Sounds delicious! How is the colour so yellow since you are adding the chilli garlic sauce? I tried this but the colour was a pale red
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Sonu, the color will depend on the color of your olive oil. Mine is a deep golden color.
K says
This dressing is quick and delicious. Made it exactly as listed in a small mason jar and shook it up. Combined beautifully. I had some left over veggies I made into a slaw... shredded green cabbage, julienned carrots and radishes. This dressing was perfect to liven things up.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, K!
Haywood says
Oh my freaking self: I had to scroll through your1,000+ word ramblings about how you’re going to live with the hippie maggots in Asheville before I get to a ____-simple recipe that doesn’t even talk about an emulsification??? ‘Shake, shake, shake’?? Thanks KC & the Sunshine band: THAT DOESN’T COMBINE THE LIQUID & OIL: THEY’LL STAY SEPARATED.
Good grief.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Haywood for your kind, thoughtful comment. I hope your day goes better after this. Next time you might want to use the "jump to the recipe" button at the top of each post. BTW, we LOVE Asheville and all the diverse and interesting people that live here.
Susan E Sheber says
How sad that we can't accept all folks for who they are. Why would we assume all folks accept our opinion? I trust in the Lord to sort us out. God bless!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Susan, so true! 💕
Marilyn says
Good. For. You.!! Absolutely love the response!!!
Like all of your recipes, the dressing is wonderful. Love to use it for a marinade for chicken, salads, etc.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Marilyn! 💕
winnie evert says
My ,My, My, I have only one word for your nasty comment, WOW !
monika says
How long can I hold it in the fridge?
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Monika, this dressing will keep well, stored in the refrigerator for a week to 10 days.
Donna B Oliphint says
Leaving your new kitchen!?! I look forward to seeing the one in your new house. Hope your move is as easy as possible. For sure the Ashville area is gorgeous!
Angelique Clark says
How do I find the recipe for the kale salad with corn?
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Angelique, here it is: https://thecafesucrefarine.com/summery-fresh-corn-kale-salad/
Susan says
I've been buying lots of limes this summer and probably have everything I need to make this for my salad tonight! Glad to hear you have a new home to move into already and wishing you and smooth and painless move, Chris 🙂
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
Fabulous dressing! And congratulations on your new home. It sounds like a beautiful area. Can't wait for pictures 🙂
Judi says
We had this for dinner tonight on some fresh greens, grilled chicken (using my new fave spice mix Za'atar..) olives, fresh basil and parsley and some hard cooked eggs. It was AMAZING. So fresh and delicious. I am hooked on making my own fresh dressings and you always come up with wonderful ones! Thanks again!!!
Chris Scheuer says
Yay! I'm always so happy when the first person tries a recipe and reports back their results! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment, Judi. I love the description of your meal, it sounds wonderful!!
Tricia @ Saving Room for Dessert says
I cannot wait to try this dressing - and I know I'm going to love it. Thank you Chris!
monique says
Trying to pin..not working..will just print..looks so good!
sue }| the view from great island says
It's so bloody hot here today Chris I could just drink this refreshing dressing down in one gulp, no salad necessary!
Chris Scheuer says
Yikes! In California? That's not fun, I'm not going to tell you what the weather's like here in Asheville.
Liz says
You DO make the best salad dressings! This versatile vinaigrette looks terrific!
Ginny Hartzler says
Big news about your move! But you have such a gorgeous kitchen!! I hope you show us your new one. When do you move? Can I ask why you are moving? This dressing looks wonderful. I would never have thought of pairing these flavors!
angiesrecipes says
Spicy, tangy and mildly sweet..the dressing sounds really wonderful for the seasonal salads.