Zesty Creamy Tomatillo Dressing
This Zesty Creamy Tomatillo Dressing is a vibrant and incredible blend of flavors that closely resembles the beloved Cafe Rio classic. Featuring a delightful combination of creamy mayonnaise and tangy buttermilk, this dressing is infused with the freshness of cilantro, zesty lime juice, and roasted tomatillos. It's the perfect complement to a healthy wrap or a crisp salad, and it can elevate any meal to gourmet status. Whether drizzled over grilled chicken, tossed with fresh veggies, or used as a dipping sauce for chips, this dressing is guaranteed to impress. It’s quick to prepare, with the added bonus of being able to use pre-cooked, seasoned meat for an effortlessly delicious meal. Make it ahead of time for a dinner party or keep it in the fridge for a quick weeknight meal. Don't forget to try it with your favorite tortilla wraps, and add cheese and sour cream for extra indulgence!
16
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Buttermilk ranch salad dressing mix
1 (1 1/4 ounce) package (none)
Mayonnaise
1 cup (may use 1/2 mayo and 1/2 sour cream)
Buttermilk
1/2 cup (none)
Lime juice
1-3 tablespoons (to taste)
Cilantro
1 cup (packed)
Garlic cloves
2 (crushed)
Tomatillos
3 (quartered)
Cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Cumin
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Sugar
1/2 tablespoon (none)
Tabasco jalapeno sauce
to taste (none)
Instructions
1
In a blender, combine the buttermilk ranch dressing mix, mayonnaise, buttermilk, lime juice, cilantro, crushed garlic, quartered tomatillos, cayenne pepper, cumin, salt, and sugar.
2
Blend until smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed to ensure even mixing.
3
Taste your dressing and adjust the lime juice and Tabasco jalapeno sauce as desired for more tang or heat.
4
Transfer the dressing to a jar or airtight container and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
5
Serve over salads, with tortilla wraps, or as a flavorful dip for chips. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Creamy Tomatillo Dressing?
It is a vibrant blend of cilantro, lime juice, and roasted tomatillos in a creamy base similar to the Cafe Rio classic.
Is this a Cafe Rio copycat recipe?
Yes, the description states that it closely resembles the beloved Cafe Rio dressing.
How do I prepare the tomatillos for this recipe?
The tomatillos should be quartered before being added to the blender.
Can I substitute mayonnaise in this dressing?
Yes, you may use a combination of half mayonnaise and half sour cream.
What equipment is needed to make this dressing?
A blender is required to combine all the ingredients until they are smooth and creamy.
How long must the dressing be refrigerated?
It should be refrigerated for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
What provides the spice in this recipe?
The heat comes from 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper and Tabasco jalapeno sauce added to taste.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 16 servings.
What type of cuisine does this recipe belong to?
This dressing is categorized under Mexican cuisine.
Can I use sour cream in this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute half of the mayonnaise with sour cream for a different texture.
What are the key flavor components of the dressing?
The key flavors include fresh cilantro, zesty lime juice, roasted tomatillos, and tangy buttermilk.
How do I adjust the tanginess of the dressing?
You can adjust the amount of lime juice between 1 and 3 tablespoons to reach your preferred level of tang.
Is there sugar in this dressing recipe?
Yes, the recipe calls for 1/2 tablespoon of sugar.
What type of ranch mix is required?
You will need one 1 1/4 ounce package of buttermilk ranch salad dressing mix.
Is this dressing suitable for salads?
Yes, it is designed to be a perfect complement to crisp salads.
How much cilantro is needed?
The recipe requires 1 cup of packed cilantro.
Can this dressing be used as a dip?
Yes, it works excellently as a flavorful dipping sauce for chips.
How do I ensure the dressing is well-mixed?
Stop the blender to scrape down the sides as needed to ensure even mixing of all ingredients.
What kind of garlic should I use?
The recipe calls for 2 crushed garlic cloves.
Can I make this dressing ahead of time?
Yes, it can be made ahead of time for a dinner party or kept in the fridge for weeknight meals.
How much buttermilk is used in the recipe?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of buttermilk.
What amount of cumin is included?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of cumin.
How can I add more heat to the dressing?
You can add Tabasco jalapeno sauce to taste to increase the heat level.
Is salt added to the mixture?
Yes, the recipe includes 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
How can I make the meal more indulgent?
The recipe suggests adding cheese and sour cream for extra indulgence when serving.
Can it be served with grilled chicken?
Yes, drizzling this dressing over grilled chicken is a recommended serving option.
Is the preparation process quick?
Yes, the dressing is described as being quick to prepare.
What is a recommended pairing for this dressing?
It is highly recommended to serve this with your favorite tortilla wraps.
How should the finished dressing be stored?
Transfer the dressing to a jar or airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator.
What is the measurement for the cayenne pepper?
The recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.