One Recipe, Three Luscious Options
This delectable Southwest Salad Dressing is creamy, savory and spicy. The heat-balancing tang comes from lime juice. It’s a silky, peppery and utterly craveable Southwestern Salad Dressing recipe you’ll make over and over again!
Ready for the big BONUS? This luscious Southwest Dressing doubles (or triples?) as a mouthwatering Southwest Sauce or a delectable Southwest Dip, too. The flavor and versatility are simply unmatched.
If you haven’t tried making homemade dressing before, you really need to go for it this summer. They’re so easy and affordable. Plus, with homemade dressing, you control all the ingredients.
My creamy Southwestern Salad Dressing whisks together in 2 minutes and requires only four simple ingredients. You’re gonna love it!
Southwest Salad Dressing is boldly flavored, gluten-free AND dairy-free salad dressing. This silky, creamy salad dressing has no added sugar and no nuts.
The heat is from smoky chipotle chili powder, and it’s complemented by smoked paprika, cumin and Mexican oregano. It’s a delectable Southwest Sauce, dip or dressing option for those who need to be careful about food allergies.
Southwest Sauce
As a Southwestern Sauce, this creamy Southwest Dressing recipe is fantastic to drizzle over a Rice Bowl with Southwest Chicken and your favorite Southwestern veggies and ingredients. But it can be so much more versatile than that.
Brush this easy homemade dressing/ Southwest Sauce onto chicken or pork chops before grilling. Use it as the liquid portion of a dredging station when breading chicken or fish.
You won’t believe the incredible flavor it adds to meat when used as a marinade. And, oh my gracious! Use it to top your best, juicy grilled burger, and you’ll never go back. It’s scrumptious!
You can drizzle it on scrambled eggs. And we love it stirred into the dressing for Southwest Pasta Salad! Honestly, it’s pretty much perfect in ANY Southwest Salad!
It’s also a fabulous topper for salmon or halibut, just like this luscious Vegan Tartar Sauce from Broke Bank Vegan.
Southwest Dip
Southwest Dip/ Southwest Salad Dressing is creamy, spicy and delicious when used for dunking and dipping, too. Try it with your favorite homemade chicken nuggets recipe.
It also is fantastic for dipping home fries and sweet potato fries. So good!
Dip cauliflower florets, celery sticks or carrots into it for a cool, crunchy and flavor-packed afternoon snack. Delish!
The exciting thing is that they, Southwest Salad Dressing, Southwest Sauce and Southwest Dip, are all the same thing! Your mind will be blown at all the bold, flavor-packed possibilities!
FAQ’s About Southwest Salad Dressing
Technically, yes. They will both work, but the texture will not be as thick and creamy. And the flavor will not be as rich. There is just no really comparable substitute for the silky richness that eggs (mayo) bring to the recipe.
Sure. You can increase or decrease the amount of Southwest Seasoning to adjust the heat level. It contains chipotle chili powder for the spicy kick. Use less Southwestern Seasoning for milder sauce and more for extra heat. When adding or removing seasoning, I would begin with 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon at a time. (Also, if you’re using a different Southwest seasoning than my recommended Homemade Southwest Seasoning, the heat level could be completely different. Adjust according to your own taste.)
The Science of Adding Oil to Mayo
Did you know that the more oil you incorporate into mayonnaise, the thicker it becomes? The result is an even more silky and luscious thickened mayo. My mind was kind of blown when I learned that. The oil continues to emulsify with the egg in your mayonnaise. To a point.
It IS possible to add too much oil to the mayo or to the Southwest Salad Dressing, sauce or dip that you’re making with it. If you do, it can result in a broken sauce.
The term broken, in regards to mayonnaise, sauces or other emulsifications, means that whatever you’re creating has separated back into liquids and fats. It has lost its silky emulsified and homogeneous texture.
Eggs have surfactants. Surfactants are molecules that have a water soluble end and an oil soluble end. That’s why we’re able to mix and unify eggs, oil and a liquid like lime juice or vinegar to create mayonnaise. It’s just important not to add more than either end is able to absorb.
I have tested this Southwest Salad Dressing recipe half a dozen times before sharing it with you. And, one of them was an utter failure. lol So, I can now say I am confident in the ratios I’ve established for this recipe.
Follow the mixing procedure, as I describe it, and you will achieve thick, creamy Southwest Dip, salad dressing or Sauce every single time.
Ingredients
- Mayonnaise – Salad dressing (Miracle Whip, Spin Blend, etc. DO NOT work in this recipe.)
- Avocado Oil
- Southwest Seasoning (contains the chipotle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika and herbs that create the best flavor.)
- Lime Juice
- Water
- Salt and Pepper, to taste (Taste first. Southwest seasoning has salt in it.)
Choosing the Right Mayonnaise
As I mentioned, salad dressings like Miracle Whip do not work in this recipe. The added sugars alter the flavor dramatically. And, texturally, the Southwest Salad Dressing never gets to the same level of creamy thickness.
You need to start with a true mayonnaise. That’s usually just eggs, oil, an acidic liquid and some salt. Commercial brands may have a few other ingredients. But, those are the essentials.
Choose the mayonnaise that you like best to make your Southwest Salad Dressing. I prefer my Homemade mayonnaise, which uses avocado oil. Or, I buy avocado oil mayonnaise made with avocado oil, only.
Check the ingredient labels on whichever you choose. Many brands say avocado mayonnaise on the front and then the ingredient list shows only a small amount of avocado oil with a larger component of less healthy oils. They work in your homemade dressing, but why pay for something special, when it isn’t?
Regular mayonnaise brands will also work with my Southwest Salad Dressing recipe. Just watch out for the salad dressings that add sugars.
Why Avocado Oil?
Avocado oil is the predominant oil used in my kitchen. And yes. It’s more expensive than canola, corn or vegetable oil. However, for me, the benefits outweigh the extra cost. I save money in so many other places in the kitchen, that when it comes to oils, I choose the best available to me.
Avocado oil is a neutral flavor oil. That means whatever recipe I use it in, it will not overpower or alter the flavor of the other ingredients.
Avocado has one of the highest smoke points of any cooking oil. That makes it safer for frying and for high temperature baking.
Avocado oil is almost 70% monounsaturated fat, in particular, oleic acid. Oleic acid is an omega-9 fatty acid. It’s believed to improve the health of skin, hair, eyes, teeth and gums. Oleic acid may also help reduce the risk of heart disease. Reducing inflammation and helping nutrients be absorbed by the body are other benefits of eating avocado oil.
It makes health and flavor sense to use avocado oil in my creamy Southwest Salad Dressing recipe. The neutral flavor lets the warm Southwestern flavors shine while providing a number of important health benefits.
What Is Southwestern Seasoning
My Homemade Southwest Seasoning is a blend of spices and herbs that are commonly used in Southwest cooking. It has no added sugars or fillers and it is gluten free. It contains Chipotle Chili Powder, Smoked Paprika , Ground Cumin, Garlic Powder, Dried Oregano, Kosher Salt, Coriander, Onion Powder and Ground Black Pepper.
Commercial brands may contain different ingredients, have a different flavor profile and different heat level. I highly recommend my homemade Southwest Seasoning, but choose the Southwest Seasoning blend your family enjoys most.
How to Make Southwest Salad Dressing
- Place the mayo, Southwest seasoning, and lime juice in a bowl and whisk to combine.
- Add 1/4 cup of the avocado oil and whisk until fully combined.
- Add 1/4 cup more and again, whisk until fully combined.
- Whisk in the remaining 1/4 cup of avocado oil. Whisk hard until it is fully combined and emulsified into the spicy mayo mixture.
- The Southwestern Dip should be silky smooth and fairly thick. Absolutely perfect for dipping and dunking. This consistency also works fabulously as a luscious dairy free Southwestern Sauce for casseroles and pasta salads. Use it to top your favorite burgers and sandwiches, too.
- To transform the dip into a delectable Southwest Salad Dressing, add 3 Tablespoons of water and whisk vigorously to combine. This will thin the southwestern salad dressing to a pourable or drizzling consistency. It should be similar to the consistency of Ranch Dressing. You can add more water if you prefer your dressing thinner.
- Taste the dip to see if it needs additional salt and pepper. The Southwest seasoning has salt in it, so be sure you check the flavor, before adding any extra.
The Recipe
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Creamy Southwest Salad Dressing, (Easy Southwest Sauce & Southwest Dip)
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 1/2 cups 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Spicy, creamy and lusciously silky. This homemade Southwest Salad Dressing can also be used as Southwest Sauce and Southwest Dip. Use it as a marinade. Brush it on meat before grilling. Dip corn chips or sweet potato fries. Dunk nuggets, top burgers, dress your favorite summer salads and enjoy the spicy, zingy lime juice flavors. The possibilities are endless for this easy salad dressing recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise, (I use avocado mayo. Definitely use your favorite mayonnaise. IMPORTANT: (Salad dressings like Miracle Whip DO NOT work in this recipe.)
- 3/4 cup Avocado Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Southwest Seasoning
- 2 Tablespoons Lime Juice
- 3 Tablespoons water
Instructions
- Place the mayo, Southwest seasoning, and lime juice in a bowl and whisk to combine.
- Add 1/4 cup of the avocado oil and whisk until fully combined.
- Add 1/4 cup more and again, whisk until fully combined.
- Whisk in the remaining 1/4 cup of avocado oil. Whisk hard until it is fully combined and emulsified into the spicy mayo mixture.
- The Southwestern Dip should be silky smooth and fairly thick. Absolutely perfect for dipping and dunking. This consistency also works fabulously as a luscious dairy free Southwestern Sauce for casseroles and pasta salads. Use it to top your favorite burgers and sandwiches, too.
- To transform the dip into a delectably creamy Southwest Salad Dressing, add 3 Tablespoons of water and whisk vigorously to combine. This will thin the southwestern salad dressing to a pourable or drizzling consistency. It should be similar to the consistency of Ranch Dressing. You can add more water if you prefer your dressing thinner.
- Taste the dip to see if it needs additional salt and pepper. The Southwest seasoning has salt in it, so be sure you check the flavor, before adding any extra.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Condiment, Sauce, Dip Salad Dressing
- Method: Whisked by Hand
- Cuisine: American Southwest
More Delicious Condiments, Dips and Sauces
Are you looking for another spicy, creamy dip and sauce? My friends, Mandy and Jane, over at Splash of Taste, have a killer Indian Raita recipe to share. Yogurt, Indian spices, cucumber and mint combine to make a delish sauce you’ll want with all your favorite Indian dishes. And, for a tasty afternoon snack, try it shmeared on a yummy piece of naan or for dipping your favorite chips .
And you will swoon for Sherry’s Bacon Aioloi! It’s fabulous on your favorite burgers or for dipping Sweet Potato Fries.
About Glenda
I believe cooking from scratch doesn’t have to be complicated and that YOU can do it. My simple recipes, tutorials, and cooking tips will help you get weeknight dinners on the table with less stress. Forget takeout or the drive-thru. Let me show you how to make homemade easy. Read more...
I will definitely make this again. I had my own Southwest seasoning blend, but I definitely want to try yours next time. I put all the ingredients in a 32 oz. stadium cup and used my immersion blender. Super easy!!
Yay! I’m so happy you loved it, Erin. It’s my favorite dip for veggies and I love it as salad dressing, too. It’s good to know that someone is enjoying it using a Southwest seasoning other than my homemade, too. I’m glad to know that it works. Thank you!
This sauce is delicious! I used it tonight in our quesadillas.
Yay! That is awesome! So glad you are enjoying it, Debi.
This was so delicious!! I am going to keep making this again and again!
Lynn, that’s music to my ears. Thanks so much! I’m glad you love it.
Ok this is going to be my go-to summer salad dressing!! So refreshing and easy to make!
Thanks, Liz! It really is so versatile and tasty!
I may have to hang up my “ranch girl for life” title because this southwest dressing is AMAZING!!! Chicken strips, yep. Veggie crudités, yep. Burgers, yep. I am obsessed and now putting it on everything! Thank you so much!!!
Oh, Sarah! You’ve made my day! I’m so happy the recipe is a favorite and that you are enjoying it.
Ok, I’m hooked. I made some of this Southwest sauce to add to a veggie burger, but it was SO incredibly good, that I ended up making more so I could eat it with my fries too. Wonderful sauce, easy to make and a complete joy to eat!
Mandy, that’s awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! We definitely love it on burgers, too. Thanks so much for stopping by today!
I love me some southwestern flavors. And I’m so pleased, because I literally just made a big batch of mayonnaise. Whipping this up was so easy, and I had it on a salad with grilled lime chicken and black beans. Perfection.
Rebekah, it sounds heavenly! I’m so happy the recipe is a success for you.
This tasted so amazing! Thanks a lot for sharing this super easy to make recipe! Fam really loves it! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended
Thanks, Allyssa!
It`s spicy, creamy, and very tasteful. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it, Natalie! Thank you!
This works for EVERYTHING! I used it on my chicken and as a dip for homemade fries- delicious!
Shelby, I couldn’t agree more! It’s so versatile.