10-Minute Southwest Salad Dressing

By Amanda Paa – Updated April 12, 2023
5 from 3 votes
This homemade southwest dressing is a breeze to make in less than 10 minutes and is full of smoky, citrusy flavor from smoked paprika and canned chiles in adobo. Just add ingredients to a blender or bowl and process! It's cool and creamy, using a blend of sour cream and mayonnaise for richness. A must for southwest salads or as a dipping sauce for chicken.
Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

southwest salad dressing on a salad in a bowl

One of the best things I’ve done in recent years is have a homemade salad dressing in my fridge at all times. From gingery White Balsamic Vinaigrette to my All-Star Vegan Salad Dressing, and now this easy Southwest Salad Dressing.

I associate Southwest salads with my teenage and college years, frequenting Applebee’s or Chili’s and usually picking the Southwest Chicken Salad, solely because I loved the smoky, creamy dressing paired with crisp iceberg lettuce and crunchy tortilla chips, black beans, and cheddar cheese. Basic; yes. But so good! And I still crave it.

My homemade version is a breeze to make in less than 10 minutes and is full of smoky, citrusy flavor from smoked paprika, canned chiles in adobo, and lime juice. It’s cool and creamy, using a blend of sour cream and mayonnaise for richness. Besides being my favorite dressing for a southwest inspired salad with avocado, corn, and tomatoes, it is the best addition to Sheetpan Chicken Fajitas!

southwest salad dressing ingredients

Ingredients for Homemade Southwest Salad Dressing:

  • Sour Cream
  • Lime Juice
  • Garlic
  • Smoked Paprika
  • Cumin
  • Mayonaise
  • Canned chiles in adobo
  • Cilantro

How to Make Southwest Dressing:

  • Chop cilantro, garlic, and canned chiles. Add all ingredients to a blender. Or you can use a whisk and a bowl.
  • Process until smooth, and that’s it! Store in a glass container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
southwest salad dressing in blender jar
southwest salad dressing in a glass jar
southwest salad in a bowl

What to Pair with Southwest Salad Dressing

This creamy, smoky dressing is fabulous on a traditional southwest style salad with fresh greens, avocado, black beans, corn, and tomatoes. Add a few tortilla chips for crunch! You could also take the base of this Ultimate Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad, and swap the caesar dressing for the southwest!

Other dishes I love to use this dressing on:

homemade southwest salad dressing in glass jar
southwest salad in a blue bowl with salad dressing to the right of it

More Salad Dressing Recipes:

Save This Recipe Form

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email below & we’ll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get more great recipes and tips from us each week!

homemade southwest salad in a glass jar with spoon

10-Minute Southwest Salad Dressing

This homemade southwest dressing is a breeze to make in less than 10 minutes and is full of smoky, citrusy flavor. It's cool and creamy, using a blend of sour cream and mayonnaise for richness.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time :10 minutes
Yield: 1 cup
Author: Amanda Paa

SCALE:

Ingredients

  • 1 clove garlic, coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon chopped chiles in adobo
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1/2 cup full fat sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon coarsely chopped cilantro

Instructions 

  • Add all ingredients to a blender. (I use the small jar for my Blendtec. The personal sized ninja blenders work great too. Or you can use a whisk and bowl, just finely chop all necessary ingredients.) Blend for 30 seconds until smooth.
  • Scrape down sides and blend for 15 more seconds. Store in a covered glass jar for up to 1 week in refrigerator.

Did you make this?

tag @heartbeetkitchen on instagram and hashtag it #heartbeetkitchen

April 12, 2023

COMMENT & RATE

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

6 comments

  1. Jackie O'Malley

    I can get canned chillies where I live…..but have not heard of adobo….what is adobo sauce??

    • Amanda Paa

      Hi Jackie! Canned chiles in adobo is a specific ingredient, the red chiles are in a red sauce. You can find them in your normal grocery story in the Hispanic section.

  2. Terri

    5 stars
    Oh wow, this is delicious! I make all my own dressings and this is definitely in the rotation now. Indeed, the chiles are not too hot-spicy when it’s all blended. Thank you, Amanda! Another winner.

    • Amanda Paa

      Terrific; so glad you liked it and it will be in your fridge, too!

  3. Carrie

    5 stars
    This was just as good as I had hoped!

    • Amanda Paa

      Yay, so glad you enjoyed the dressing!