Chili and lime salad dressing

The summer always means delicious salads to us, you just can’t beat tucking into something light and fresh.

And no salad is complete without a fabulously tasty dressing.

We like a little spice and wanted to lift our salads this year.

So we created a fresh homemade chili and lime salad dressing recipe which is capable of lifting any salad.

Our quick and easy salad dressing with just 7 ingredients can be made in just 5 minutes!

What do I put it on?

Chili and lime vinaigrette is ideal when drizzled on a fresh salad but would also be great on vegan chicken or on a summer rice bowl.

It’s the perfect dressing for our delicious grilled halloumi salad.

How do I make this?

Making our chili and lime dressing is easy if you follow our simple instructions.

Sterilize a jar that has a tight-fitting lid.

Now add extra virgin olive oil, your fresh lime juice, freshly grated ginger, sweet chili sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to the jar.

Secure the lid to your jar and shake vigorously until everything has combined.

Serve immediately or keep your chili lime vinaigrette dressing in the fridge.

Enjoy your delicious chili and lime salad dressing.

Can I use a ginger paste instead of grating it myself?

Yes, you could use a store bought ginger paste but what we will say is that it’ll affect the flavor.

Your chili and lime vinaigrette is the crowning glory of your fresh salad, so you want it to taste as good as it possibly can.

Shop bought ginger paste won’t have that wonderful lfavor that freshly grated does, it’ll have preservatives in it to extend it’s shelf life.

Just one sniff of fresh grated ginger will be enough to convince you that fresh is best.

Extra virgin olive oil Vs olive oil

Extra virgin olive oil is a little pricier than its olive oil cousin, and it’s made from pure, cold-pressed olives whereas your regular olive oil is different as it’s actually a blend and made from processed and cold-pressed oils.

Extra virgin olive oil has all of its vitamins and antioxidants so it’s a healthier oil than olive oil.

It makes a great oil for salad dressings, dipping bread into and all dishes that aren’t going to be cooked.

Can I use bottled lime juice?

You can use bottled lime juice but should you? No, we don’t think so.

Bottled lime juice may seem like a quick option but packed with preservatives, it’s never going to deliver the same freshness that fresh limes give you.

The juice is a crucial ingredient in our lime salad dressing recipe, so don’t compromise here, it only takes a couple of minutes to juice them, so don’t skip it.

How do I know when if my lime is ripe?

There are two easy ways to tell if your limes are ripe;

• If it’s slightly soft, if your lime is still hard then it’s not ripe.
• If your lime is heavy then that’s a good sign, this means it’s full of fresh lime juice.

How do I store it?

Store your dressing in the fridge and it will keep for approximately 8 to 10 days.

What equipment will I need?

The beauty of our wonderful chili and lime vinaigrette recipe is that the only piece of equipment you’ll need to make it is a jar with a tight fitting lid!

Recipe notes and tips

• If you have any left over ginger, then store it in the freezer so you can use it whenever needed.
• If you have any leftover limes, then slice them and freeze them, when you have a cold drink, pop them in and they become a lime ice slice.
• Like your salad dressing a little spicy? Simply add in some chili flakes.
• Change the flavor by adding in a minced garlic clove.

More easy recipes for you to enjoy

If you like our chili lime vinaigrette recipe then wh not try these easy recipes? Ranch dressing, Caesar dressing, balsamic vinaigrette, or creamy balsamic vinaigrette,

We hope you enjoy making our chili and lime vinaigrette recipe and would love to hear how you got on with it.

Please do feel free to leave a comment and let us know or ask any questions you may have.