Southwest Salad Dressing is a bold homemade dressing with a smoky flavor that will take any salad to the next level!

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Creamy Southwest Salad Dressing, with a hint of smokiness, is so flavorful! You'll love how easy it is to make this simple recipe that you can enjoy on any of your favorite salads.
One of my husband's favorite salads is this southwest chopped salad with grilled chicken, romaine lettuce, black beans, grape tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, avocado, and corn kernels. It's a hearty salad and needs a bold dressing to stand up to it. This southwest salad dressing recipe is just the thing!
This is meant to be a brief overview of this great recipe. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredients, please scroll down to the teal box below or Jump to Recipe.
🔪 Instructions
- Place all the ingredients into a small bowl.
- Whisk to combine.
- Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate or serve immediately.

🥄Equipment
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Here is what you will need to make this easy recipe:
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🍲 Storage
To Store: Store your southwestern salad dressing in a mason jar with a tight fitting lid for up to 7 days. (These are some of my favorite airtight containers.)
📖 Variations
The first time you try any new recipe we recommend that you make it just as it is written on the recipe card since that is how the recipe has been tested. However, the next time you make our recipe, you might want to try one of these ideas:
For a healthier option, substitute Greek yogurt for the mayo. You could also use low fat sour cream if you prefer.
If you like it spicy, add a little bit of hot sauce or chipotle powder.
I love adding fresh herbs to my homemade salad dressing recipes when I can. Fresh cilantro or dill would be excellent in this recipe.
Out of something you need? Check out our free ingredient substitutions printable!
🍴 Salads You'll Love
If you're a salad lover, you have to check out all our delicious salad recipes:
- grilled chicken Caesar salad
- spinach and strawberry salad
- winter citrus salad
- chicken avocado caprese salad
- buffalo chicken salad
- Panera strawberry poppyseed salad
Want to add this recipe to your meal plan? Download our free printable meal plan here. Be sure to check out all our meal plan ideas here.
Related: Check out these yummy Salads with Chicken
Serving Suggestions
Southwest salad dressing is great for not only our southwest salad recipe, but any kind of taco salad, southwest quinoa salad, and even rice bowls. There are tons of different ways to enjoy this!
😋 Similar Recipes
Next time, try one of these delicious recipes:
- Caesar dressing without anchovies
- avocado ranch dressing
- lemon vinaigrette dressing
- pomegranate vinaigrette
- orange poppyseed dressing
You'll find even more salad dressing recipes here.
Related: If you love making your own salad dressings, check out this collection of homemade condiments.
Not ready to make this creamy southwest dressing yet?
When you do make it, please come back and comment and leave me a 5-star rating below! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Southwest Salad Dressing
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Ingredients
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- ½ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 4 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients into a small bowl.2 cups mayonnaise, ½ cup freshly squeezed lime juice, 4 teaspoons chili powder, 2 teaspoon garlic powder, 2 teaspoon onion powder, 2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Whisk to combine.
- Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate or serve immediately
For best results, be sure to check our Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help your delicious recipe come out perfectly.
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Meal Planning
Want to add this recipe to your meal plan? Download our free printable meal plan here.

This recipe is included in Meal Plan 17 along with:
- balsamic chicken dinner
- chicken spaghetti
- bbq chicken tacos
- southwest chopped salad
- avocado grilled cheese
... and more!
Be sure to check out all our meal plan ideas here.
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