Cafe Rio Style Cilantro Lime Salad Dressing [Oil-Free, Vegan, WFPB]

Oh the rich, delicious Cafe Rio salad dressing! It even made my husband want a salad back before I helped him learn to appreciate salad. I knew I could make a whole-foods, plant-based version of this salad dressing that cut out the buttermilk, oil, mayonnaise and mystery ingredients and replace it with the creamy and nutrient-dense cashew base. I think back about all the trouble we’ve gone to for years to emulsify dressings with a stream of oil and thicken white sauces with flour and butter. It’s always been so complicated to get it right, but no more my friends. I am so grateful for the miracle of high speed blenders, all kinds of whole foods can easily be converted to delicious and nutrient-packed sauces, dressings, soups and more with the push of a button.

I really love my Blendtec Twister jar for dressings, treats and other small jobs. I struggled with the decision to buy a second jar (and let’s be honest, at about $100 it’s not cheap), but it has been so worth it. I use it daily and often use both jars during the same meal. This summer I’ll celebrate 3 years as a Blendtec owner and have over 6500 blends under my belt. It has truly transformed my cooking, I just wish I had gotten it sooner!

The dressing is super simple, basically it’s just blending it all 7 ingredients together! If you prefer a speckled look for your cilantro (I do) then reserve the cilantro until the other ingredients are nice and smooth and then pulse it in to desired consistency. I like to blend my cashews and water once while I gather/prep the other ingredients–this softens the cashews and with a second blend the dressing is perfectly creamy.

This cilantro lime salad dressing is really the perfect complement for my whole-foods, plant-based Cafe Rio/Costa Vida style salad.

Print Recipe

Cilantro Lime Dressing [Oil-Free, Vegan, WFPB]

Prep Time

5 minutes

Servings

cup

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup cashews preferably raw organic
• 1/2 cup water
• 1-2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 lime juiced
• few dashes jalapeno tabasco to taste
• handful cilantro
• 1/2 tsp sea salt

Prep Time 5 minutes Servings cup Ingredients 3/4 cup cashews preferably raw organic 1/2 cup water 1-2 cloves garlic minced 1 lime juiced few dashes jalapeno tabasco to taste handful cilantro 1/2 tsp sea salt

Instructions

1. Blend cashews and water. Add all ingredients except cilantro. When dressing is smooth and creamy, pulse in cilantro to desired size.

Recipe Notes

If you don't have a high-powered blender, simply soak the cashews for at least 1-2 hours in advance. Rinse and drain cashews, then reduce water to 1/4 cup and and more as needed to desired consistency.