Easy Vietnamese-Inspired Chili Lime Dressing
This chili lime dressing is a vibrant, Vietnamese-inspired vinaigrette that’s spicy, tangy, and just a little sweet. It comes together in minutes, no blender needed, and instantly elevates everything from salads to grilled meats.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
No-cook dressings and sauces are my secret weapon when it comes to adding instant flavor to everyday dishes, and this chili lime dressing is one of my favorites. It strikes a perfect balance of bright, sweet and salty, featuring fresh lime juice for citrusy brightness, fish sauce for umami depth, and honey for subtle sweetness. Sliced serrano chile gives the dressing a gentle heat that’s easy to adjust based on your taste (or your kids’!).
What I love most is how versatile it is. I keep a jar of this in the fridge to jazz up rice noodle salads, to brighten up quick slaws, or to spoon over grilled shrimp or chicken. It's become a staple in our kitchen, especially during warmer months when light, bold flavors are what we crave.
Looking for another bright dressing? Try my Cilantro Lime Dressing, or mix things up with this creamy Green Tahini Sauce.
Nicki's Tip: This dressing is super versatile, but I love it in my Chicken & Herb salad which you can find in this newsletter. I’m fairly (okay, massively) obsessed with this salad, which was inspired by Vietnamese flavors and features fresh mint, basil, crunchy red bell peppers, cucumbers, and this vibrant lime dressing.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Fresh lime juice: The tangy base of the dressing. Fresh is key—bottled won’t give you the same zip.
- Garlic: Just one grated clove adds sharp depth. If you’re sensitive to raw garlic (like me!), try infusing the lime juice with smashed cloves for 10 minutes, then removing them.
- Neutral oil: Helps mellow the acidity. I use grapeseed or avocado oil.
- Honey: A touch of sweetness balances the lime and fish sauce.
- Fish sauce: Adds savory depth. Red Boat brand is my go-to for its clean, rich flavor.
- Serrano or Fresno chile: Thinly sliced for heat. Use as little or as much as you like.
How to Make Chili Lime Dressing
Step 1: In a small bowl, combine the lime juice and grated garlic. Let sit for 5 minutes if time allows—this helps mellow the garlic. Whisk in the oil, honey, fish sauce (to taste), and sliced chile.
Step 2: Add in the sliced chile. Adjust the spice level depending on your heat preference, then taste and tweak. More honey if it’s too tart, more fish sauce for umami, or more chile if you like it spicy.
Favorite Ways to Use It
This dressing is endlessly adaptable. Here are some favorite pairings:
- Chicken and Herb Salad: Great with shredded rotisserie chicken and fresh herbs (pictured below). Grab the full recipe in my newsletter.
- Rice Noodle Salad: Toss with noodles and crunchy veggies for a refreshing meal. Try it with this Rice Noodle Salad.
- Fresh Slaw: Napa cabbage, snap peas, red pepper, mint, basil… and a handful of peanuts.
- Green Papaya or Mango Salad: Think Thai street food vibes.
- Green Bean Salad: Blanched green beans, chopped nuts, and a drizzle of this dressing.
- Cucumber Salad: Smashed or thinly sliced cucumbers soak up all the flavor.
It’s also fantastic with grilled proteins or as a marinade. Get creative!
Make Ahead & Storage Tips
This dressing keeps well for up to 1 week in the refrigerator. Store it in a sealed jar or an airtight container. Because there’s no emulsifier, the oil will naturally separate—just give it a good shake or stir before serving.
Recipe FAQs
It’s a mix of lime juice, garlic, honey, fish sauce, oil, and chile—spicy, tangy, sweet, and savory all in one.
Absolutely. Swap in soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos for a similar salty depth.
It depends on your chile. Using just half a serrano keeps things mild, while a full chile brings the heat. Taste and adjust!
Up to 1 week in the fridge. Store it in a sealed container and shake before using, as it may separate.
Salads, grilled chicken, shrimp, noodle bowls, slaws—even grain bowls or roasted veggies.
*This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links to products I use and love (from which I earn income, at no cost to you). Thank you for supporting From Scratch Fast!
This chili lime dressing is one of those back-pocket recipes that adds an instant hit of flavor to anything it touches, whether you’re jazzing up leftovers or planning a vibrant summer salad.
Looking for another quick sauce to keep on hand? Try this Easy Homemade Stir Fry Sauce.
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Get the Recipe
Easy Vietnamese-Inspired Chili Lime Dressing
Ingredients
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- 1 garlic clove grated
- 3 tablespoons neutral vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce or to taste (I use Red Boat Brand)
- ½-1 serrano chile or fresno chile (depending on how spicy you like it), thinly sliced
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the lime juice and garlic. If you have the time, let this sit for 5 minutes to mellow out the garlic.
- Whisk in the oil, honey, fish sauce (to taste—some brands are more pungent than others) and chiles to taste (this will depend on how spicy you like it; I usually do half a chile, which is mild enough for my kids).
