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Cilantro Ranch Dressing is my version of Cafe Rio’s Creamy Tomatillo Dressing. It can be made in minutes, it’s smooth, creamy and full of flavor! Pour it on your salad, tacos or burritos. It’s good on everything!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
CopyCat Recipe: Cafe Rio (A Utah restaurant chain) serves a creamy tomatillo dressing that is a yummy combination of buttermilk, ranch seasoning, tomatillos, and cilantro. My cilantro ranch dressing recipes tastes just like the real thing!
We love to make Cafe Rio Salads at home but this salad dressing would be delicious on any salad.
Ingredients Needed
- Buttermilk
- Mayonnaise
- Lime Juice
- Jalapeno, diced and seeded
- Tomatillos РTomatillos can be found in the fresh produce section. In my store they are near the peppers and jalape̱os. They look like a green tomato with a paper skin over them. Be sure and remove the papery skin before using! Cut into quarters.
- Cilantro
- Garlic
- Ranch Dressing Mix. Use the original version.
How to Make Cilantro Ranch Dressing
- Place tomatillos, jalapeno, cilantro, and garlic in a blender or food processor.
- Pour in buttermilk, mayo and lime juice.
- Sprinkle dried seasoning on top.
- Pulse blender to blend ingredients together.
- Pour into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.
Tips from leigh Anne
- If dressing is too thick for your liking, add in a little extra buttermilk.
- If you prefer a dressing with a little more heat, add in some of the seeds of the jalapeno. Without the seeds, this dressing has very little heat.
- Use real buttermilk, not a substitute whenever possible. If you don’t have buttermilk and need to substitute milk with lemon or vinegar, add in only 1/2 cup to the blender to start with, and then add a little more at a time until you get the consistency you like, this milk will be thinner than real buttermilk so you won’t need as much.
- For best results, use regular mayonnaise not Lite or Fat Free.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will leftovers cilantro ranch dressing last?
In an airtight container it will last up to 5 days in the refrigerator, it may separate a bit, just give it a stir or a shake.
My dressing is too thick.
Add buttermilk, a little at a time, until you get the consistency you like.
Can I freeze cilantro ranch dressing?
No, this dressing does not freeze. it will separate and the consistency will change if you freeze it.
What is a tomatillo?
A tomatillo is a small, tomato-shaped, green fruit with a dry, papery husk for an outer layer. Tomatillos have a similar taste and texture to a firm tomato, but they are not as sweet as a tomato. See ingredient photo above to see what they look like.
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Cilantro Ranch Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 Hidden Valley Ranch Mix Traditional
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 tomatillos remove husk, diced
- 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro
- 1 clove garlic
- juice of 1 lime
- 1 jalapeno
Instructions
- Put all ingredients together in the blender and blend.
- Blend to desired consistency, add some additional Buttermilk if too thick.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Tips & Notes:
- If dressing is too thick for your liking, add in a little extra buttermilk.
- If you prefer a dressing with a little more heat, add in some of the seeds of the jalapeno. Without the seeds, this dressing has very little heat.
- Use real buttermilk, not a substitute whenever possible. If you don’t have buttermilk and need to substitute milk with lemon or vinegar, add in only 1/2 cup to the blender to start with, and then add a little more at a time until you get the consistency you like, this milk will be thinner than real buttermilk so you won’t need as much.
- For best results, use regular mayonnaise not Lite or Fat Free.
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Nutrition Facts:
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