This is the perfect dressing if you're looking for bold flavors! Our homemade southwest salad dressing recipe makes about 2 cups.

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

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

Southwest Dressing in a small jar next to a salad. — *Why use store-bought dressing when you can make your own creamy salad dressing in just 5 minutes?!*

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!

🧂 Ingredients

mayonnaise
fresh lime juice
chili powder
garlic powder
ground cumin
smoked paprika
kosher salt
cayenne pepper

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.

Southwest Salad Dressing drizzling onto a salad. — *Creamy Southwest Salad Dressing is a creamy dressing with bold flavors that you can make in just 5 minutes!*

🥄Equipment

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Here is what you will need to make this easy recipe:

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Homemade Southwest Salad Dressing in a small jar. — *There is so much flavor in this little jar!!*

🍲 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:

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.

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:

You’ll find even more salad dressing recipes here.

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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! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐