Mexican goddess dressing, also known as cilantro lime dressing, is a creamy, tangy dressing that is bursting with flavor. As the name suggests, it contains staple Mexican ingredients like cilantro, lime juice, and avocado. This versatile dressing can be used on tacos, burrito bowls, salads, grilled vegetables, and more. But what exactly goes into making this flavorful condiment? Here is a breakdown of the key ingredients that give Mexican goddess dressing its signature taste.
Cilantro
Cilantro is the star ingredient that gives Mexican goddess dressing its distinct flavor. The fresh, herbaceous taste of cilantro sets it apart from creamy dressings like ranch or Caesar. Cilantro has a polarizing effect on taste buds – some love its bright, citrusy flavor while others find it off-putting. But its flavor is an essential component of Mexican goddess dressing. The dressing gets its vibrant green color from fresh cilantro. Using 1/4 to 1/2 cup of chopped cilantro leaves adds a punch of flavor and fragrance.
Lime Juice
Bright, tangy lime juice balances out the rich, creamy elements in the dressing. Limes are another staple ingredient in Mexican cooking, adding tartness and acidity. About 2 to 3 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lime juice adds the right amount of zing to the dressing. Bottled lime juice works too but may have a slightly bitter, artificial taste compared to juice squeezed right before making the dressing. The acid in the lime juice also helps emulsify and thicken the dressing.
Avocado
Creamy avocado gives the dressing a rich, smooth texture while adding nutty flavor. Avocados are full of healthy fats that make the dressing taste luxuriously decadent. About 1/2 to 1 whole ripe avocado is used, depending on how creamy you like the dressing. Overripe avocados work best to get an ultra-smooth consistency. The avocado can be sliced or mashed into the dressing. Leaving it a bit chunky adds nice texture.
Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt adds tanginess, protein, and helps emulsify the dressing. Plain full-fat or low-fat Greek yogurt works well. The yogurt’s natural creaminess perfectly complements the avocado. About 1/4 to 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt is used. Regular yogurt can also work but has a thinner, runnier consistency compared to the rich thickness of Greek yogurt.
Garlic
Garlic adds a subtle heat and savory flavor to the dressing. Using 1 small clove finely minced or pressed through a garlic press is enough to impart flavor without overpowering. The mellow aromatics of garlic pair nicely with the herbs and citrus.
Cumin
Earthy, aromatic cumin is another quintessential Mexican spice used in the dressing. About 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin adds warmth and depth of flavor. Cumin’s distinctive nutty, somewhat bitter taste balances the cooling freshness of cilantro and lime.
Olive Oil
Olive oil adds smooth richness and healthy fats. An extra virgin olive oil with fruity, peppery notes works best. About 3 to 4 tablespoons of olive oil is used to get the right consistency and mouthfeel. Olive oil binds and emulsifies the ingredients into a cohesive dressing.
Green Onion
Sliced green onions add a punch of freshness and mild oniony bite. Green onions have a brighter, more herbaceous flavor compared to regular onions. About 1 to 2 tablespoons of sliced greens adds nice texture and fresh onion flavor.
Cayenne Pepper
A pinch or two of cayenne pepper can be added for a little heat. Cayenne has a bold, fruity heat that plays well with the other seasoned ingredients. Start with just a pinch or 1/8 teaspoon cayenne and add more if you like spicy flavor.
Salt
Salt is added to taste to balance and enhance the other flavors. Use about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt, or more if needed. Table salt, kosher salt, or sea salt can be used.
Other Potential Ingredients
There are many variations on basic Mexican goddess dressing. Other ingredients can be added to tailor the flavor. Some potential mix-ins include:
- Sour cream or Mexican crema – adds extra richness and tang
- Cotija or feta cheese – creamy, salty accent
- Cilantro stems – extra herbal flavor
- Jalapeño – spicy kick
- Green bell pepper – fresh peppery crunch
- Cumin seed – intensify cumin flavor
- Oregano – earthy, aromatic accent
- Green onion whites – mild onion flavor
- Hot sauce – smoky heat
Omitting Ingredients
The core ingredients that make up the base of Mexican goddess dressing are cilantro, lime juice, avocado, yogurt, and olive oil. Omitting any of these main ingredients would significantly alter the flavor. However, you can make minor tweaks based on taste preferences:
- Use less cilantro if you don’t love the strong flavor
- Add extra lime juice for more acidity
- Use half an avocado for a thinner texture
- Substitute sour cream for some of the yogurt
- Use half olive oil and half avocado oil for a milder flavor
Overall the central ingredients work together to create the trademark taste, so omitting any major components would result in a very different dressing.
Steps to Make Mexican Goddess Dressing
Now that we’ve covered the key ingredients, here is an overview of the basic steps for making homemade Mexican goddess dressing:
- Chop the cilantro leaves and stems. Zest and juice the lime.
- In a food processor or blender, combine the cilantro, lime zest and juice, garlic, Greek yogurt, olive oil, cumin, and salt and pepper to taste. Blend until smooth and combined.
- Slice or mash the avocado and add it to the food processor. Blend again until integrated but still a bit chunky.
- Transfer dressing to a bowl or container. Fold in the sliced green onions.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Add more lime juice for acidity, salt for overall flavor, or cayenne for heat.
- Let dressing sit for 10 minutes for flavors to meld. Then serve on salads, bowls, tacos, and more. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 to 5 days.
The vibrant green color, tangy lime flavor, and slight spicy kick make it easy to see why Mexican goddess dressing has reached cult status. Use this flavorful salad dressing on any dish to add a delicious Mexican-inspired flair.
Nutrition Facts of Mexican Goddess Dressing
One of the benefits of homemade dressings is that you can control exactly what goes into them. Mexican goddess dressing has a nutritious ingredient list full of healthy fats, fresh herbs, and vegetables. Here is the nutrition breakdown for a 2 tablespoon serving of homemade Mexican goddess dressing:
| Nutrition Facts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 73 |
| Total Fat | 7 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1 g |
| Sodium | 74 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 2 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Protein | 1 g |
Some of the standout nutrients in Mexican goddess dressing include:
- Healthy Fats – From the olive oil and avocado, these provide anti-inflammatory benefits
- Vitamin C – The lime juice contains this immune-boosting vitamin
- Fiber – The cilantro and green onions add fiber for digestion
- Potassium – Avocados offer potassium to control blood pressure
Using just a couple tablespoons of this flavor-packed dressing allows you to get all of its great nutrition benefits without many calories or carbs. It can transform salads and tacos into a satisfyingly healthy meal.
Buying Pre-Made vs. Homemade Mexican Goddess Dressing
If you don’t have time to whip up a batch of homemade dressing, pre-made options can be convenient. Grocery stores, specialty markets like Trader Joe’s, and online retailers offer ready-made Mexican goddess dressing. However, there are some notable differences between homemade and store-bought versions:
| Homemade | Store-bought | |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | Natural, simple ingredients | May contain preservatives, stabilizers |
| Flavor | Very fresh, bold | Milder flavor |
| Texture | Rich and creamy | Can be thin, watery |
| Customization | Can adapt recipe to taste | Get what you get |
| Cost | Inexpensive to make at home | Marked up pricing |
Ultimately, homemade allows you to control the quality and customize it exactly how you like. But store-bought can be a decent shortcut in a pinch.
Uses for Mexican Goddess Dressing
Mexican goddess dressing is endlessly versatile thanks to its bright, herby flavor. Here are some of the best ways to use this tangy dressing:
Tacos
Drizzle the dressing over tacos for an extra flavor punch. It’s especially good on tacos with grilled veggies, chicken, or fish.
Burrito Bowls
Stir a few tablespoons of the dressing into burrito bowls in place of sour cream for creaminess and lots of flavor.
Salads
Toss green, grain, or taco salads with Mexican goddess dressing for a delicious creamy coating on the veggies and greens.
Sandwiches
Use as a tangy mayo replacement on all kinds of sandwiches – roast beef, turkey, veggie, and more.
Burgers
Slather on burgers in place of traditional burger toppings for a delicious Mexican twist.
Vegetables
Drizzle over grilled veggies like zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, etc. It also dresses up raw veggie dippers.
Quesadillas
Brush on tortillas before assembling quesadillas, then serve more on the side for dipping.
Fajitas
Complement sizzling fajita meat and veggies with a spoonful of the cool, creamy dressing.
B Buddha Bowls
Stir into buddha bowls containing rice, beans, veggies, greens, etc. for a protein-packed meal.
Mexican Goddess Dressing vs. Cilantro Lime Dressing
Mexican goddess dressing goes by several different names, including cilantro lime dressing. So what sets it apart from regular cilantro lime dressing? Here is a comparison:
| Mexican Goddess Dressing | Cilantro Lime Dressing | |
|---|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Cilantro, lime, avocado, yogurt, olive oil | Cilantro, lime, olive oil |
| Texture | Creamy, thick | Thin, vinaigrette-like |
| Flavor | Cool, tangy, rich | Bright, acidic |
| Use | Tacos, salads, bowls, veggies | Salads, vegetables, fish |
While they share cilantro and lime juice as the base, Mexican goddess has a richer texture and flavor thanks to the avocado and yogurt. So if you see a recipe for cilantro lime dressing without avocado, it will have a slightly different taste and consistency than traditional Mexican goddess.
Tips for Making the Best Mexican Goddess Dressing
Here are some helpful tips for getting the most flavor and best texture when making Mexican goddess dressing:
- Use fresh, tender cilantro leaves. Old or wilted leaves have less flavor.
- Zest the lime before juicing to get the bright citrus oils.
- Make sure avocado is ripe for creamiest texture.
- Let dressing sit for 10 minutes for the boldest flavor.
- Add ingredients gradually so you can control flavor.
- Use Greek yogurt for added thickness.
- Refrigerate leftovers and use within 4-5 days.
- Shake or stir before using to re-combine ingredients.
- Pair with spicy or robust flavors that can stand up to the bold dressing.
Taking a little extra time to use fresh, quality ingredients will ensure your homemade Mexican goddess dressing is next level.
Conclusion
With its short list of vibrant ingredients like cilantro, lime, avocado, and Greek yogurt, it’s easy to make restaurant-worthy Mexican goddess dressing right at home. This flavorful condiment can transform tacos, salads, bowls, sandwiches, and grilled vegetables from boring to brilliant. Whip up a batch of this versatile dressing to keep on hand for whenever you need to infuse a dish with a tangy, creamy Mexican twist.
