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We have a favorite recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing, but when it comes to Mexican dishes, Café Rio dressing is the ONLY way to go!
We’ve been on a QUEST to find the perfect Café Rio Cilantro Ranch Dressing and are happy the quest is over! We tested a dozen recipes comparing it to the real deal and the recipe we are sharing today is the one everyone voted the best.
This Cafe Rio dressing is DELICIOUS!! You’ll want this stuff with everything! We have it on our tacos, chips, quesadillas, salad—you name it!!
SO glad we finally found the recipe that is most like the restaurants – plus, it comes together quick making it a monthly must-make.
Why we think you’ll love it:
- Delicious! This dressing is practically drinkable, and is very flavorful.
- Simple. It takes minutes to make and is the perfect addition to any meal.
- The perfect topping. It’s great for so many dishes like salads, tacos, bowls, chips and more.
Cafe Rio Ingredients and Substitutions
- 1 packet ranch dip dressing (or 3 tbsp)
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup sour cream – plain greek yogurt can be used as well
- 1 bunch cilantro
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic – or 2 garlic cloves – they are even better and add more flavor.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 2-3 tablespoons diced jalapenos, deseeded – keep the seeds if you want to add more heat.
- 1/2 buttermilk (plus more if needed) – if you don’t have buttermilk, whole milk can be used or our Substitute Buttermilk recipe.
- 2 tablespoons lime juice – fresh or from the bottle works
- 3-4 tomatillos – fresh or canned both work.
How to Make Cafe Rio Dressing
- Blend all ingredients in the blender. Add milk until it’s the consistency you want (I did about ⅓ cup).
It’s that easy to make this cilantro ranch dressing!! But be warned: just try not to drink it all!
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- So many things to add it to! We love to use this Cafe Rio dressing on any salad, but also love it on these recipes: Chicken Tacos, Southwest Salad, Chicken Quesadillas, Loaded Nachos, and Homemade Tortillas.
- Add more heat. For more spice, add more jalapeno or leave the seeds in.
- Fresh is key. If possible, use fresh garlic, fresh lime juice and fresh tomatillos. They always make the dressing even more flavorful.
Cafe Rio Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix, or 3 tablespoons
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 bunch cilantro
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 2-3 tablespoons diced jalapenos, deseeded
- 1/2 cup buttermilk, plus more if needed
- 3-4 tomatillos
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients in the blender. Add milk until it’s the consistency you want (I did about ⅓ cup).
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
We like to make this dressing a day or two ahead of when we want to use it, because then it has time to sit in the fridge and let the flavors all combine.
Put it in an airtight container, a glass jar with a lid, or even reuse an empty dressing bottle. If stored properly, it should last for 1-2 weeks in the fridge.
More Recipes Like This:
Serve this With
More Cafe Rio recipes
Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Recipe
6 hrs 5 mins
Cafe Rio Shredded Chicken
3 hrs 5 mins
Flour Tortilla Recipe
45 mins
Nachos Recipe
15 mins
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This recipe was first shared April 2011 and has been updated to be even better.
Delicious 😋
Thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Love love this recipe!! And I actually froze it and it defrosted well!! Definitely recommend
Good to know! Thanks for sharing that!
I love this dressing! And I love that it doesn’t use tomatillos, I usually don’t have those on hand.
We love this dressing! So yummy with chips and salad!! So easy to make—just a blender!
Why doesn’t the recipe include cIlantro? It is clearly shown in the blender photo before blending. It is called Cilantro Ranch Dressing. It is shown to be a greenish color?
It is included. If you scroll to the recipe card, it says 1 bunch cilantro.
My family likes to go to Cafe rio just for this dressing. We are super excited and can’t wait to try it!
Cafe Rio is one of my very favorite restaurants! This dressing taste just like the real deal….but BETTER!
Where had this recipe been all my life?!!!! Finding it made my day. ThAnks fOr sharing.
This is by far the easiest & yummiest dressing ever! I love it with so many recipes. My kids could drink this dressing..it’s that good!
We practically use this dressing on everything. Its just that good! Everything goes into the blender and its ready!