This Light and Spicy Cilantro Buttermilk Dressing is one of those insanely good salad dressings that will make you want to skip the main course!
We’ve been going through the Café archives and sprucing up some of our older posts. It’s been one of our goals to add nutritional data for each recipe as we revisit them, since many of you have requested that information. When I came across this Light and Spicy Cilantro Buttermilk Dressing recipe, I realized that I’d totally forgotten about it and could hardly wait to make it again.
Since it’s the peak of summer, I thought we’d pull it out into the limelight again, as it goes so well with all the beautiful greens and veggies that are so abundant right now. I was thrilled when I calculated the nutritional information. In addition to being super delicious and bursting with fresh flavor, it’s also very light and lean, with less than 100 calories per 2 tablespoon serving. You don’t find many low-cal, creamy dressings; and that’s even more of a reason to reintroduce it!
My daughter-in-law, Lindsay was coming for lunch one day not long ago. I decided to prepare a Mexican inspired salad with fresh greens, tomatoes, black beans, corn, rotisserie chicken and a topping of crushed tortilla chips. I was especially excited about the dressing, as it was one that I’d read about online. The famous dressing had a zillion rave reviews and I’d been dying to try it.
“Have you ever heard of Cafe Rio?” I asked Lindsay. “No, where is it?” she asked. I explained that I’d heard about it for years, and had assumed it was a restaurant somewhere in the western United Sates; but that, just recently, I’d discovered it’s actually a popular chain of restaurants, located mostly west of the Mississippi.
“Everyone says their salad dressing is so… good. I’ve read about it on several blogs and it’s all over Pinterest. I found a copycat recipe that I thought I’d try – you’re gonna be my guinea pig today!” Lindsay’s a foodie too and enjoys trying new things. She loves international cuisine, so she was game for testing the new dressing.
It was easy to put together; just throw buttermilk, mayo, lime juice, cilantro, tomatillos, garlic, jalapeño and a packet of ranch dressing mix into a blender container and whir it all together. It was done in just a few minutes, and we sat down for a south-of-the-border lunch.
A little disappointing…
Did the famous dressing live up to the hype? I can’t speak for the original Cafe Rio dressing, but this particular copycat dressing was a bit disappointing. Not bad, but Lindsay and I both agreed, not out-of-this-world-delicious either.
I couldn’t let get the recipe out of my mind, so I decided to play around with some of the same ingredients. I tinkered around for the next few days, adding and subtracting and, in the end, came up with a recipe we love. As in L-O-V-E!
I won’t call it a Cafe Rio copycat recipe, since I’ve never had the original and it’s quite different from the copycat recipes I’ve seen; but I will call it out-of-this-world-delicious. I tested it out on Lindsay and our son Nick, and they agreed.
Our new favorite dressing…
Just like the Cafe Rio copycat, it’s super simple to make and comes together quickly in the blender. I lightened it up with Greek yogurt and there’s an unusual ingredient that you wouldn’t expect in a southwestern-inspired recipe. It’s bright, fresh and, I have to say, quite addicting!
The dressing is wonderful drizzled on grilled salmon and it’s a perfect pairing with this fabulous Mexican Sugar-Seared Salmon Salad. This salad will be sure to wow your guests for a casual, easy, dinner party entree with a beautiful presentation.
If you’re not a cilantro fan…
I’m calling my dressing Light and Spicy Buttermilk Cilantro Dressing. But just a little “heads up”; although the recipe does call for a generous amount of cilantro, you might be surprised if you’re not a cilantro fan. When you combine all the ingredients together, it’s not the cilantro taste that comes through, just lots of fresh, vibrant flavor. Try it, and if you end up thinking it’s not crazy-out-of-this-world-delicious, I know a little kitchen in North Carolina that will gladly accept your discards!
Café Tips for Light and Spicy Cilantro Buttermilk Dressing…
- Jalapeño peppers can vary in heat levels so be careful. It’s better to start with just part of a jalapeño, add everything else and blend the dressing together, then taste it. You can always add more, but you won’t be able to remove the heat. We like things spicy, but not super hot, so generally I add one medium jalapeño with some of the seeds – however I have had to add more if I’ve had milder jalapeños.
- Ginger? Yes! Although ginger is generally used more in Asian cuisine, it gives a delightful pizzazz to this dressing, in combination with the other ingredients. Don’t skip it!
- This Light and Spicy Cilantro Buttermilk Dressing calls for a package of buttermilk dressing mix. I wasn’t crazy about all the preservatives and unfamiliar ingredients on the label of the store packets and the packets can be pricey. So I came up with my own Homemade Buttermilk Dressing Mix. It tastes better and is much cheaper! If you’re in a hurry though, feel free to used the packaged buttermilk dressing mix.
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PrintSpicy Cilantro Buttermilk Dressing
This Spicy Cilantro Buttermilk Dressing is the most insanely delicious dressing you’ll ever meet. Use it on salads, pizza, sandwiches, as a dip for chips or veggies, on nachos, quesadillas, salmon…
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 Servings
- Category: salad dressing
- Cuisine: Southwestern
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise, use good quality (I like Hellman’s)
- ½ cup Greek yogurt, I use Fage Total 0%
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- ½ cup finely chopped cilantro, packed tight
- 1 medium jalapeño – Leave the seeds in if you like it more spicy, but see note in Café Tips above.
- 2 medium cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
- 2 tablespoons minced white onion
- 3 tablespoons Homemade Buttermilk Dressing Mix, or 1 package buttermilk ranch dressing mix
- milk, to thin, if needed
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender container. Pulse on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld. Dressing will also thicken a bit. If it’s too thick, thin with milk as desired.
Notes
Nutritional information does include 1 packet of Buttermilk Dressing Mix. 3 tablespoons of the homemade recipe has approximately the same number of calories.
This is a great recipe to use the cilantro that I would typically throw away after using just a few sprigs for garnish.
★★★★★
Definitely a recipe you’ want to bring back. Like what you’ve done to this version of it — I’ll bet the flavor is wonderful. L-O-V-E? I’m sold!
You make the best dressings, Chris, and these photos are mouth-watering gorgeous!
These flavours are divine and I know I’ll be making this over and over again this summer because I’m a huge cilantro fan. Just beautiful! Sharing 🙂
oh darn..researched
I agree you have a BEAUTIFUL site w/ well reasearched..inventive recipes..on top of that gorgeous photos:)Thanks for everything you both share:)
Thanks so much Monique. You are a wonderful encourager!
Chris did I miss the recipe for the homemade buttermilk ranch dressing mix?
Hi Dixie! Hope you’re doing well 🙂 If you click of the words Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Mix, it’s a link to that recipe. But you could also use the purchased ranch dressing packet.
I’m going to buy a ton of fresh veggies for a salad when I get home. I will smother them in this amazing dressing all over them! Sounds like heaven to me!!
Enjoy Liz!!
Thank you so very much for including the nutritional info! I have been a huge fan of your site but for my husband’s health, we now have very little salt intake, so now I can tweek a bit.
You’re welcome Snow! I’m so happy we can provide the information for you 🙂
Still loving this beautiful dressing! I also love sprucing up old posts – and enjoying the recipes again. Pinned and sharing!
They are really fun flavors, aren’t they Susan?
Ive always made homemade buttermilk ranch..no preservatives and chives out of the garden…your recipe sounds like the PERFECT
compliment for the salmon…sounds like dinner tomorrow!! Thank you for sharing!
I hope you enjoy it IsaBella!
Another wonderful way to use that buttermilk dressing mix! We love those Southwest flavors too.
I happen to love cilantro and can’t wait to lick my lips with this! And now I’m just chomping at the bit to see this salmon!
I think you’ll love it Abbe!
Chris, once again you have made a delicious dressing that I want to savour into Fall and beyond. Great photos! xoxo
★★★★★
Thanks for the very kind comments Beverley! Scott says, “Ditto!”
Hello! I just came upon your website while looking for some kind of fabulous new recipe to try. I really don’t cook that much anymore but I’d like to do a little more. I want to congratulate you on such a beautiful site. The recipes sound outstanding, but I want to tell you that I absolutely love your writing … it’s so enjoyable to read! It shows such vibrancy for life, curiosity, love of good food and nature’s art.. On tope of that it shows a love of people and sharing joy. The photographs are also Just divine. I appreciate your time and hard work. When I first opened your site I saw the fabulous photo of the red onion and your comments about the beauty of it. I realized right then that I needed to continue reading as I too find Amazing beauty in nature’s art. (We’re very,very fortunate – a lot of people walk by without noticing so many things – if they would just take the time to look — really loook.)
I could go on and on — but my main objective here is to express my gratitude and appreciation for what you are doing. I’m sure many people ennjoy you site. Thank you! Jean
Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment Jean! Scott and I love what we do and have been blessed to work together on the blog now for the past four years. We both retired from our long time jobs and now tend the farm (the blog!). It has taken us many places in the past couple of years, and is a constant source of creation for both of us. I guess you could say we are created to create by the Creator! Stop by any time!
we are going to add this excellent dressing to our “must try” list!
★★★★★
Thanks Sarah and Arkadi! We’ve got it on our “keep making this!” list.
Those photos are so good I can almost taste that gorgeous dressing. I bet I can have this made in time for dinner!
★★★★★
Thanks Maureen! At first we were concerned that it would be a hard thing to capture in a photo, but when Scott and I looked at the initial pictures, we were surprised!
Quite delicious!!! Just the right amount of heat! I can’t decide how I feel about cilantro so I was pleased that despite the amount called for, it was not at all overpowering. Thanks for another winner!!
You’re welcome Marcy! And thanks for the thoughtful comment. The cilantro is low key in this dressing.
It’s like you made this with me in mind, just hand me a spoon, that’s all I’ll need!
Ha Ha! Thanks Sue!
Chris, I am no fan of cilantro, but I am trying to find my way around it since it is in everything here in CA. The base of this recipe sounds like it would work perfectly with dill or parsley, or chives. Your presentation is so beautiful and appealing.
★★★★★
Madonna, you probably could use other herbs with it. Let me know how it turns out – you may have invented something new!
Ginger! That is different and what a deightful it adds to this dressing. I love the way you never give up on a recipe!
Sandra, my husband says I’m a “curious cat”, because I am always inventing and tweaking!
Beautiful and quite delish… Great for salads and also grilled meats.
★★★★★
Thanks Denise!
I’m making fajitas for dinner tomorrow and have ample cilantro and jalapenos in the house! This dressing may just have inspired our side salad—it sounds terrific!!! You’re such a master in the kitchen 🙂
Thanks Liz, I think you are; your posts are always inspiring me to try new creations!
I love a multi-purpose sauce! And I love all the ingredients in this amazing dressing. Thanks Chris! Sharing 🙂
Thanks Tricia! That’s a good word for it – multi=purpose!
Another fabulous dressing, Chris and so versatile!
It is Jennifer! It’s kind of a chameleon, because it seems to adapt to whatever you serve it on or with.
A fantastic dressing, perfect for almost all kinds of salads…that salmon looks amazing too.
It is amazing Angie! We’ve had it a couple of times, this past week and it’s so flavorful. Just the perfect amount of “heat”.