Jalapeño Cilantro Ranch salad dressing is a vibrant and flavorful concoction perfect for adding a zesty kick to any salad. This dressing blends the bold, spicy notes of fresh jalapeños with the refreshing, earthy flavor of cilantro, creating a harmonious balance of heat and herbaceousness. The base of the dressing is a creamy ranch, rich and smooth, which provides a perfect canvas for the other flavors to shine.
In this dressing, the jalapeños are not just a fiery afterthought; they’re a central component, lending both warmth and a slight vegetal sweetness that’s characteristic of green chilies. The cilantro, with its distinctive, slightly citrusy taste, complements the heat of the jalapeños beautifully. It adds a layer of complexity and a burst of freshness that brightens the entire dressing.
The ranch element of the dressing is creamy and tangy, with subtle hints of garlic and onion. It’s the kind of rich, indulgent base that makes the dressing luscious and satisfying. However, it’s carefully balanced so as not to overpower the more delicate flavors of the jalapeño and cilantro. The result is a dressing that’s creamy but not heavy, with each component flavor distinct yet harmoniously blended.
Texture-wise, the dressing is smooth and velvety, with a consistency that’s just right for clinging to the leaves of a salad without being too thick or gloopy. It’s versatile enough to be used on a variety of salads, from a simple iceberg lettuce salad to more complex ones featuring ingredients like grilled chicken, roasted corn, or black beans.
This Jalapeño Cilantro Ranch salad dressing is not just a dressing; it’s a celebration of bold flavors and textures. It’s the kind of dressing that can elevate a simple salad to something extraordinary, making it a must-try for anyone who loves a little heat and a lot of flavors in their meals.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup low-fat buttermilk
- ¼ cup low-fat mayonnaise
- 1 jalapeno stemmed and seeded
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 green onion
- 1 tablespoons lime juice (1/2 lime)
- 1 handful cilantro
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place everything in a food processor and puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste and blend once more time.
Notes
This dressing will keep for 5-7 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
Nutrition
Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 107kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 601mg | Potassium: 181mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1358IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg