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    Published: Mar 15, 2022 · Modified: Mar 15, 2022 by Pam

    Easy Southwest Salad Dressing (Vinaigrette)

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    pin image of southwest salad dressing

    All of your favorite Tex-Mex flavors come together in this easy to make southwest vinaigrette dressing perfect for any salad.

    bottle of southwest salad dressing in front of salad.

    Southwestern Salad Dressings are typically creamy. This one, however, uses the same southwest spices but in a vinaigrette base, which tends to be a healthier option than creamy dressings.

    While this is a great dressing for southwest salad we also love it on many other types of salad. In fact, you can use it as a finishing sauce for fish or chicken, or even drizzle it on as a sandwich topping.

    For a unique twist on tacos cook shredded beef (Mexican style) in your slow cooker and serve it in tortillas with your favorite toppings and a light pour of this dressing.

    It comes together in just minutes and can be served right away, but like champagne vinaigrette or this gussied-up bottled dressing, it will benefit from some time for the flavors to “get cozy” together.

    Ingredients

    You’ll probably find that you’ve got the ingredients already on hand. Just whip it up in about 5 minutes anytime you want a good homemade dressing to have around.

    • Extra virgin olive oil – when using in a recipe like this one where it will be front and center we like to use the best quality we can afford.
    • Apple cider vinegar – if you only have another lighter vinegar on hand feel free to use it, but we definitely recommend apple cider if you can.
    • Lime juice – we always recommend using freshly squeezed if possible.
    • Chili powder
    • Dried oregano – if you happen to have fresh oregano that’s great. Just remember it’s less potent so you’ll need about 3 times as much as dried.
    • Cumin
    • Garlic powder – you could dice half a clove of garlic, but to keep this recipe super quick we like to use powder
    • Salt
    seasonings and spices poured onto parchment paper

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Instructions

    Making this dressing from scratch couldn’t be easier! Put all of the ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid or a bowl if you plan to put it in a cute bottle like ours.

    Next just shake away if you’re using the lidded mason jar or whisk briskly if using the bowl. To transfer the ingredients from the bowl to your bottle just pore through a funnel.

    Variation ideas for your southwest salad dressing

    • Spicy – add red pepper flakes or ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper if you like a little heat.
    • Deluxe – add chopped cilantro (about 2 Tablespoons would be great)
    • Lemony – use freshly squeezed (always preferred over bottled) lemon juice vs. lime juice

    This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on an affiliate link and buy something, we may receive a very small commission.  It does NOT result in additional charges to you or cost you anything extra. Click here for our full privacy and disclosure policy. As an Amazon associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    bottle of southwest vinaigrette with cork out

    A few items that will come in handy:

    One of our favorite tools in the kitchen is this citrus juicer. We literally use it all the time!

    If you use fresh herbs you’ll love this pair of 5 blade herb shears. It’s another tool that everyone in our family has and uses often.

    To get your dressing from a bowl into a bottle you’ll need a funnel. Just a basic one like this is fine.

    And for a cute bottle to put your salad dressing in? Order here. We used these same bottles for our simple syrups for cocktails. The bottles are super versatile and get used frequently.

    Storing your vinaigrette

    It will keep just fine in the fridge for a week. Olive oil solidifies when chilled, so just set it out a little while before your meal so it has time to come to room temperature.

    If you forget, don’t worry. Just stand the bottle or jar in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes and you’ll be good to go.

    bottle of southwest vinaigrette in front of salad

    Easy Southwest Salad Dressing (Vinaigrette)

    Pam
    All of your favorite southwestern flavors come together in this easy to make vinaigrette dressing perfect for any salad.
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Course Salad
    Servings 6 people
    Calories 164 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
    • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
    • 1 Tablespoon lime juice preferably freshly squeezed
    • ¾ teaspoon chili powder
    • ½ teaspoon dried oregano if using fresh increase amount to 1½ teaspoons
    • ¾ teaspoon cumin
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder if using fresh use ½ minced garlic glove
    • ½ teaspoon salt

    Instructions
     

    • Mix all ingredients in jar with tightly fitting lid.
    • Shake until well blended.
    • Serve immediately or allow to sit for 1-2 hours, shaking again before serving.

    Notes

    Dressing can be stored in refrigerator for up to 7 days. Before serving, allow to come to room temperature and then shake vigorously. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 164kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gSodium: 199mgPotassium: 23mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 81IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 7mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Categories: Dressings Tags: salad dressing

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jess says

      March 21, 2022 at 9:54 am

      5 stars
      I love that this is made with pantry staples that I always have on hand!

      Reply
    2. Dana Sandonato says

      March 21, 2022 at 10:07 am

      5 stars
      Love this dressing! Perfect for taco salads and lettuce cups!

      Reply
    3. Beth says

      March 21, 2022 at 10:16 am

      5 stars
      This dressing sounds amazing! I can see not only using it for a salad but as a fantastic marinade, too!

      Reply
    4. Nic says

      March 21, 2022 at 10:19 am

      5 stars
      I’d only ever had creamy southwest salad dressing before this. This was amazing and so much better and very delicious! Thanks for a great recipe!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        March 22, 2022 at 1:41 pm

        Yay! Thanks, Nic.

        Reply
    5. Katherine says

      March 21, 2022 at 10:23 am

      5 stars
      I love this dressing on my taco salad!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        March 22, 2022 at 1:41 pm

        Thanks, Katherine!

        Reply

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