Elevate your meals with the bold and zesty flavors of homemade Southwest Dressing! This creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy dressing combines mayonnaise and sour cream as a smooth base, enriched with smoky chili powder, earthy cumin, and a hint of cayenne pepper for an irresistible kick. Freshly squeezed lime juice and chopped cilantro add vibrant, refreshing notes, while a touch of honey harmonizes the spices with a subtle sweetness. Perfectly customizable, this dressing can be thickened for dipping or thinned for drizzling, making it the ideal complement to salads, tacos, grilled meats, or crunchy vegetables. Ready in just 10 minutes, it's a versatile condiment designed to bring a burst of Southwest flair to every bite.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise and sour cream. Mix well until they blend into a smooth consistency.
Add lime juice to the bowl and stir. This will add a fresh tangy flavor to your dressing.
Incorporate the chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper into the mixture. Stir until all the spices are evenly distributed.
Add the honey to balance the spices with a touch of sweetness. Mix well.
Stir in the chopped cilantro. This will add a fresh, herby character to the dressing.
Slowly add water, a tablespoon at a time. Stir continuously until you reach your desired consistency. Some prefer a thicker dressing while others might like it a bit thinner.
Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or lime juice as necessary.
Once well-mixed and seasoned to your liking, transfer the southwest dressing into a clean jar or bottle for storage.
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving.
Use as a salad dressing, a drizzle over tacos, or as a dip for veggies.
Calories |
1090 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 98.5 g | 126% | |
| Saturated Fat | 15.6 g | 78% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 146 mg | 49% | |
| Sodium | 1548 mg | 67% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 56.0 g | 20% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.3 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 22.2 g | ||
| Protein | 3.3 g | 7% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 123 mg | 9% | |
| Iron | 2.5 mg | 14% | |
| Potassium | 176 mg | 4% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.