Tangy, sweet Honey Lime Jalapeno Vinaigrette delivers a hint of lingering heat that few can resist. It’s perfect on salads or drizzled over street tacos or burrito bowls.
Jalapeno Vinaigrette
My husband was working out of town a while back and he texted me one night to tell me about the fantastic honey-lime jalapeño vinaigrette from one of the restaurants he visited. His only dinner request that week was that I try to figure out how to make it.
Consider it done. He was a very happy camper with the version I created! This spicy, citrus dressing sweetened with a touch of honey was just the right combination.
I served this jalapeno lime dressing for dinner the first time I made it with a huge chopped vegetable salad loaded with chicken, cheese, hard-boiled eggs, and just about anything else I could think of adding to it. It was so good!
I offered my boys ranch dressing for their salads, thinking that they might not want to try this one. However, two of them surprised me by liking the jalapeno dressing every bit as much as the adults did.
While to some people, salads may seem boring, I just can’t relate to that sentiment. Between changing up the toppings to different homemade dressings. I can eat them every day. In fact, I do. Check out my best tips for eating salad every day and loving it!
Want a few more awesome dressings to try that are a bit off the beaten path? Chipotle, garlic, and lime are combined to create a crazy flavorful Chipotle Vinaigrette that you are going to love.
This Pepperoncini Lime Vinaigrette is perfect for light salads or heartier ones, like this southwestern steak salad. The finely diced pepperoncini give a slight bite and the dill complements it nicely.
Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette
- jalapeño peppers
- lime juice
- apple cider vinegar
- honey
- olive oil
- kosher salt
Jalapeno Salad Dressing
To make the jalapeno dressing, you’ll combine 2 jalapeño peppers, lime juice, vinegar, honey, oil, and salt in the blender. Puree until mostly smooth.
Taste and add more jalapeños according to however much heat you like. Pour into a jar and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Start with just 1-2 peppers and taste the dressing before adding any additional peppers. (My peppers were very mild, so I was able to use 4 peppers in the dressing without making it too spicy.)
Keep in mind that the heat will increase as the flavors chill together in the refrigerator. If you are making the dressing a day or two in advance, it will likely grow hotter over time.
Homemade Salad Dressings
It is only on a very rare occasions that I purchase salad dressing in the store. I have become a master of whipping up the perfect dressing or vinaigrette at home. For ease of storage and serving just use a mason jar and an easy pour spout.
Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette is sweet and tangy and while it is delicious on almost any salad, it pairs especially well with salads that contain fruit.
Tangy Asian Salad Dressing with a hint of sesame and the sweetness of honey is perfect for topping salads, tossing with cabbage for a quick slaw, or for dipping chicken fingers.
This Cafe Rio copycat recipe for Creamy Tomatillo Salad Dressing is creamy, tangy, and just the teeniest bit spicy. It’s perfect for drizzling over salads or tacos, or for dipping fresh vegetables.
Honey Lime Jalapeño Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ¼ cup light flavored olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2-4 small jalapeño peppers halved with stem and seeds removed
Instructions
- Combine 2 jalapeño peppers, lime juice, vinegar, honey, oil, and salt in the blender. Puree until mostly smooth.
- Taste and add more jalapeños according to however much heat you like. Pour into a jar and refrigerate until needed. Shake well before drizzling over your favorite salad.
Notes
Nutrition
{originally published 4/22/14 – recipe notes and photos updated 1/9/23}
Jen of My Tiny Oven says
My husband loves spicy things, hopefully this dressing will encourage him to eat more salad!!
Geni says
Ooooh, this lime vinaigrette looks delish!
Magnolia Verandah says
I love a new dressing and this sounds lovely and tangy with a bit of bite.
Angel says
Haven’t tried any of these yet, looking for creative waysl to enjoy more salads in 2022! These dressings are on my radar! Thank you!
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad the recipes are helpful, Angel.
Sue/the view from great island says
This sounds out of this world, I can't wait to try it. That salad sounds like the ideal summer salad!
Bridget Blythe says
Thank you, thank you, thank you I really wanted a healthy salad dressing for chicken fajita salad, can’t wait to try this!
Jojo says
I stumbled across this recipe and am so happy I did. This dressing is fantastic. It turned a basic salad with grilled chicken breast into something truly delicious. Thanks!
Nancy Walthers says
I look forward to trying your recipies.
Debbie says
I used candied jalapeños and it was perfect
Lisa Hill says
My dressing tasted good but was really thin. Did I do something wrong?
Mary says
This is a vinaigrette, so it should be very thin.
Dawn says
Great dressing. Used it on a watermelon salad, out of this world!
Mary Younkin says
I bet that was AMAZING over watermelon, Dawn.
Ketan K Patel says
This recipe was amazing! I added a small garlic clove and a handful of cilantro. I didn’t have honey, so I added 2 teaspoons of sugar.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy to hear that you like the vinaigrette, Ketan!
Patty Duda says
I am a Vermonter so used maple syrup in place of honey YUM !!! Thank you for this awesome dressing to add some heat to our 6 month winter !
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad to hear that you’re enjoying the dressing, Patty! I bet it was great with maple syrup too.
Claudia Keating says
My jalapeños were very spicy so only used half of one and that made the vinaigrette extra thin. Otherwise …delicious!! I will definitely make this again.
Thanks Mary
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you like it, Claudia!
Rosie says
Really enjoyed this recipe! Used it on salad and on tacos. I’ll be making this again 🙂
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you like it, Rosie!
Donna says
Delicious! Excellent flavor and a hit with the whole family. I used two peppers, and could have done three.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed it, Donna!
Nathan Winchester says
I used charred jalapenos and this came out amazing
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Nathan!
Erin says
I made this today for the first time and it’s so delicious! This is a keeper for sure.
Mary Younkin says
Erin – So glad you agree it is quite tasty.
Maria Olarte says
What does flavored olive oil mean?
Mary Younkin says
In saying light-flavored olive oil I am referring to one that is inexpensive and light in color. Any light olive oil will work.
CJ says
How long does it last refrigerated?
Mary Younkin says
This will keep nicely for at least a week, CJ.