Cafe Rio Tomatillo Ranch Dressing Recipe
This Cafe Rio Tomatillo Ranch Dressing combines the tangy freshness of tomatillos with the creamy richness of buttermilk ranch, enhanced by a touch of jalapeño heat and cilantro. Perfect as a zesty dressing or dip, it’s easy to make in a blender and adds vibrant flavor to salads, tacos, and Mexican-inspired dishes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 2 cups
- Category: Dressing
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Dry Mix
- 1 packet Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Mix (dry)
Liquids and Base
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup mayo (reduced fat)
Fresh Produce
- 2 medium-sized tomatillos (husked and chopped)
- ½ cup packed cilantro leaves (roughly chopped)
- 1 ½ tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 small jalapeño (seeds removed, finely chopped)
- 1 ½ teaspoons lime juice
Additional
- ½ cup water (as needed)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Add the Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Mix, buttermilk, mayo, chopped tomatillos, cilantro, minced garlic, jalapeño, and lime juice into your blender.
- Blend Until Smooth: Pulse the mixture in the blender for 2 to 3 minutes until the dressing is smooth and creamy in texture.
- Adjust Consistency: Gradually add the ½ cup of water a little at a time and blend to achieve your desired dressing consistency.
- Chill and Store: Transfer the dressing to an airtight container and chill for at least one hour before serving; store refrigerated to maintain freshness.
Notes
- For spicier dressing, keep some jalapeño seeds or add more jalapeño according to taste.
- This dressing keeps well refrigerated for up to one week.
- Use reduced-fat mayo to lower calories without sacrificing creaminess.
- Tomatillos can be roasted for a smoky flavor before blending if desired.
- Make sure to hull the tomatillos to avoid bitterness in the dressing.
