5 Minute Southwest Dressing Recipe
This southwest dressing is creamy, smoky, and ready in 5 minutes. Use it on salads, tacos, burrito bowls, and grilled meats, or as a dip for veggies and fries.
Our southwest dressing is creamy, smoky, and loaded with warm chili and cumin flavors.
This southwest dressing is creamy, smoky, and loaded with chili powder and cumin.
The dressing starts with a simple mayonnaise base and fresh lime juice. It gets a lot of flavor from pantry spices like chili powder and smoked paprika.
Then I add chipotle and a pinch of cayenne for a touch of heat.
We use it on everything from taco salads and burrito bowls to grilled chicken, roasted veggies, and burgers.
It takes about 5 minutes to stir together, and keeps in the fridge for several days. You can easily adjust the heat to suit your family’s tastes.
If you like this recipe, you may also like our Southwest pasta salad recipe. Our spicy ranch dressing and taco sauce recipes are also favorites!
What you’ll need
This list is almost entirely pantry staples. The full recipe with ingredient amounts is further down the page.
- Mayonnaise: Use real mayo, not Miracle Whip.
- Fresh lime juice.
- Chili powder.
- Garlic and onion powder.
- Ground cumin.
- Dill.
- Smoked paprika, chipotle powder, and cayenne: These spices add the heat, so adjust to your liking.
- Salt.
How to Make Southwest Dressing
This salad dressing takes 5 minutes or less to make. Super simple!
- Add the ingredients to a medium mixing bowl.
- Whisk until the southwest dressing is smooth. Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed. The flavors will develop more if refrigerated.
Tips for the best dressing
- Adjust the heat level. For a mild southwest dressing, go light on the chipotle and cayenne. For a spicier version, add an extra pinch of chipotle powder or cayenne at a time and taste as you go.
- Lighten it up. Swap part of the mayonnaise for plain Greek yogurt or sour cream.
Is this southwest dressing super spicy?
Not really. Our recipe uses smoked paprika, chipotle powder, and a little cayenne. It adds a mild kick, not intense heat.
To keep it mild, reduce or omit the cayenne and go light with the chipotle powder.
Storage
This dressing is best used within 3 to 4 days for the best flavor.
Transfer leftovers to a jar or airtight container.
Store it in the refrigerator, since it has mayonnaise and fresh lime juice.
Other salad dressing recipes you may love:
How to Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon dill
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon chipotle powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
💌 Don't forget to save this recipe!
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a bowl, and whisk to combine.1 cup mayonnaise¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice2 teaspoons chili powder1 teaspoon garlic powder1 teaspoon onion powder1 teaspoon ground cumin½ teaspoon dill½ teaspoon smoked paprika¼ teaspoon chipotle powder¼ teaspoon salt⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Use immediately, or place the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Notes
Nutrition
*2/11/26: Updated post text. The recipe didn’t change.
Hello, What is in your ingredient Chipotle Chili Powder, please? I am finding some online, but they differ in the ingredient list. Some are simply Chipotle Chili pepper; however, one from Target lists Sweet Chili Pepper, Chipotle Chili Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Oregano, Cumin, etc. . .
Thanks for the info, and I can’t wait to try this!
Hi Teresa!
Thank you for asking! When we first published this recipe in 2019, we were living in an area where Wal-Mart was the major retailer. I just double checked to verify, and they sell Great Value brand Chipotle Chili Pepper powder. It contains chipotle pepper and a preservative for anti-caking. I’m 100% confident that’s what we were using at the time. Now we use Badia and Spice Islands brands which also contain chipotle pepper and an anti-caking agent. They each have a slightly different flavor profile and heat level. Hope that helps! Have a fantastic afternoon! 🙂
@Kimberly, Thank you for your quick reply and for the info!
You’re most welcome! 🙂
I added sour cream, honey and cilantro. Amazing dressing. I’m so glad i found it. Thank you!! It’s a keeper.
Thank you Kirstie! The extra ingredients sound like a great idea. Thank you again for commenting and rating the recipe. Have a lovely day 🙂
My favorite southwest dressing recipe! Yum 😋
Thanks so much, Trula! We’re glad you enjoy the dressing! Have a great weekend! 🙂
I have searched for a good Southwest Dressing for years and finally found it! My family approves of your recipes!! If I could give 10 ⭐️, I would. It is the absolute best.
Thank you so much! We’re happy you and your family enjoy the dressing. It’s one of our favorites, too. We hope you have a lovely day! 🙂
Simple, smoky, satiating