Cowboy Dressing

Patty Catalano
Patty CatalanoFood Editor at The Kitchn
The only subject that has ever held my attention has been food, because there’s no end to what you can taste, smell, learn, and cook. I patchworked my way to recipe development and food writing by earning degrees in Family & Consumer Sciences (you may have known it as Home Ec) and Food, Nutrition, and Culinary Science, and working anywhere that would take me: university food services, local bakeries, and the set of Good Eats on Food Network. Early on, I asked my mom how she knew what a cookbook recipe (with no pictures) would look and taste like. While my mom was there to teach me, I realized that not everyone has someone to turn to for trusted cooking guidance. I try every day to be that person for The Kitchn’s readers by sharing smart recipes they can feel proud to serve. Recipe development is the most fun job I can imagine, but it also comes with a lot of dirty dishes and hours spent in the grocery store. I’ve found that I actually really love grocery shopping — especially at Costco and Aldi — and it brings me such joy to share my finds with The Kitchn readers.
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published Sep 4, 2024
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angled shot of cowboy dressing in a jar with a spoonful being brought out
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Ben Weiner

Salads will beg to be served with this creamy, smoky dressing.

Serves6

Makes1 cup

Prep5 minutes

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angled shot of cowboy dressing in a jar with a spoonful being brought out
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Ben Weiner

I’ve finally found a homemade dressing that makes me look forward to eating salad. Meet: cowboy dressing. It’s creamy, smoky, and a little bit citrusy, thanks to fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro. This Southwest-inspired dressing is quick to make (it takes just five minutes), relies on the spice cabinet for flavor, and is incredibly versatile. Use it to dress restaurant-style taco salads or drizzle it over fish tacos. You can also use it for dipping loaded steak quesadillas or crunchy veggies. It’s so good that I’m eating it straight from the jar — you probably will, too. 

Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Ben Weiner

Why You’ll Love It

  • Dried spices and fresh lime juice give this dressing its signature flavor. Cowboy dressing is the condiment your dinners have been missing with its irresistibly creamy consistency, bright citrus flavor, and smoky spices. 
  • You’ll use it for more than just salads. Cowboy dressing will boost the flavor of any salad it encounters, but don’t sleep on it as a dip for veggies, sandwich spread, and more.
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Ben Weiner

Key Ingredients in Cowboy Dressing

  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt: Rich and tangy sour cream or plain yogurt (regular and Greek both work here) is the foundation for this creamy dressing. You can adjust the consistency without affecting the flavor by adding a few tablespoons of water. 
  • Mayonnaise: Adds body and richness to the dressing. 
  • Lime: Freshly squeezed lime juice adds brightness to this smoky dressing. (This is my favorite citrus juicer).
  • Spices: A medley of dried spices from your pantry, including, garlic powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, and ground cumin, give this dressing a boost of Southwest flavor. 
  • Fresh cilantro: This fresh herb adds bright balance to the smoky sauce.
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Cowboy Dressing Recipe

Salads will beg to be served with this creamy, smoky dressing.

Prep time 5 minutes

Makes 1 cup

Serves 6

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 8 sprigs

    fresh cilantro

  • 1

    medium lime

  • 1/2 cup

    sour cream or plain whole-milk Greek yogurt

  • 1/4 cup

    mayonnaise

  • 2 tablespoons

    water

  • 1 tablespoon

    neutral oil, such as vegetable or canola

  • 3/4 teaspoon

    garlic powder

  • 3/4 teaspoon

    smoked paprika

  • 3/4 teaspoon

    chili powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon

    kosher salt, plus more as needed

  • 1/2 teaspoon

    ground cumin

  • 1/4 teaspoon

    freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed

Instructions

  1. Prepare the following, adding each to the same medium bowl as you complete it: Finely chop the leaves and tender stems from 8 fresh cilantro sprigs until you have 2 tablespoons. Juice 1 medium lime (about 2 tablespoons).

  2. Add 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon neutral oil, 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika, 3/4 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Whisk to combine. Taste and season with more kosher salt or black pepper if needed.

Recipe Notes

Ingredient variation: Regular plain whole milk yogurt can be used in place of the sour cream or Greek yogurt. Reduce the water to 1 tablespoon.

Storage: The dressing can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Filed in:
Salad
Salad Dressing
vegetarian
dairy
Make Ahead
quick