Creamy Southwest Salad Dressing (with Greek Yogurt)

southwest salad dressing in a glass bowl with limes behind it. and a spoon.

Creamy Southwest Salad Dressing (with Greek Yogurt)

Mallory

If you're a fan of a creamy dressing, you have to try this Southwest Salad Dressing with a smoky flavor and ready in 5 minutes! It's a great recipe to take your favorite salad to the next level and the perfect dressing for chicken & rice bowls!

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Prep Time 5

Course dressings and more

Cuisine Mexican

Servings servings

Calories 30 kcal

Equipment

1 blender or food processor

Ingredients

¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon olive oil mayonnaise or your favorite mayo (optional)
2 tablespoon lime juice about 1 small lime
1 clove garlic
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoon fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon chili powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt more to taste
¼ teaspoon black pepper more to taste

Instructions

Add all the ingredients to a food processor or high-speed blender.
Blend until smooth, about 1-2 minutes. Give it a taste and add salt as needed.
Hint: if you have an extra minute, rough chop the garlic clove before blending everything to evenly distribute the flavor.

Alternative Method 1

Shake it up - skip the blender and make this Southwestern salad dressing in a mason jar by mincing the garlic and finely chopping the cilantro. Then add all of the ingredients, secure the lid, and shake it until everything is well combined.

Alternative Method 2

Whisk it up - you can also make this dressing in a small bowl. Just mince the garlic and finely chop the cilantro. Then add all of the ingredients to the bowl and whisk it until well combined.

Notes

*Nutrition calculations using olive oil mayo and nonfat plain Greek yogurt.

Expert Tips

A small amount of mayo added to the Greek yogurt goes a long way in this recipe and cuts the tanginess of the Greek yogurt! It also helps the dressing emulsify a bit better. With that said, you can totally leave the mayo out if you'd like to cut down on calories! It still tastes delicious!
The ingredient flavors in this dressing recipe can vary a bit based on brand and variety so taste your dressing once it's mixed and adjust it if needed! If you like your dressings on the sweeter side, add a bit more honey. If you prefer it on the tangier side, add a bit more lime.

Storage

Refrigerator: Store leftover dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.

Dietitian Tip

Making homemade salad dressing recipes like this Southwestern Salad Dressing can feel intimidating! But it's as easy as blending a few ingredients. Not only does making dressing at home taste amazingly fresh, it also gives you more control over the ingredients and the flavor and there's no need for additives often found in store-bought dressings.

For more nutrition information and tips, visit mallorythedietitian.com. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! 😊

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoonCalories: 30kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSodium: 170mgSugar: 2g

Keyword 10 minutes or less, gluten free

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