This creamy Cafe Rio tomatillo dressing is made with tomatillos, ranch seasoning, cilantro, lime, jalapeño, mayonnaise, and buttermilk. This recipe is as close as you’re going to get to the original. So creamy and delicious, you’re going to want to drink it. Fresh tomatillos really give this dressing the amazing flavor that you’re going to love.

What is a tomatillo?

A tomatillo is a small, green, spherical fruit that looks like a small tomato. In fact, tomatillo means “little tomato” in Spanish. The tomatillo plant, which is a relatively disease-resistant member of the nightshade family, originated in Mexico. Tomatillos can be eaten raw or cooked. They’re perhaps most often associated with salsa verde.

The famous Cafe Rio Creamy Tomatillo dressing is part of the Cafe Rio experience. This “fresh mex” restaurant started out in Utah and is now located all over the western United States and several locations now in Maryland.

This Cafe Rio Tomatillo dressing is not only delicious on a salad but yummy

poured over burritos
tacos
quesadillas
sandwiches
and used as a creamy vegetable dip

Cafe Rio Dressing Ingredients

1 (1 ounce) packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing mix or better yet my HOMEMADE RANCH DRESSING MIX
Buttermilk / 1 cup
Mayonnaise / 1 cup
Tomatillos / 2 (husks removed and chopped)
Garlic clove / 1 minced
Cilantro / ½ bunch chopped
Lime juice / 1 tablespoon (more to taste or if you want the dressing a little more runny)
Jalapeno / 1 seeds removed (if you prefer a more spicy dressing, leave the seeds in)

Cafe Rio Tomatillo Dressing Instructions

1- Place all the ingredients together in a blender or food processor.

2- Blend until smooth.

3- Place in the refrigerator for an hour to chill before serving.

4-Serve as a dressing over the salad or as a dip for veggies and chips.

Recipe Tips

Use real buttermilk. If you need to substitute milk and vinegar, start with only ½ cup of the mixture and then add a little at a time until you get your preferred consistency.

Creamy Cafe Rio Tomatillo Dressing (Copycat Recipe)

Jan Howell

A delicious creamy dressing with tomatillos, ranch seasoning, cilantro, lime, jalapeño, mayonnaise, and buttermilk.

Prep Time10 min
Total Time1 hr 20 min
Ready in1 hour 10 minutes
Yield10 servings

Cuisine
- Mexican
Course
- Salad

INGREDIENTS

- 1 (1 ounce) packet if Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing mix or better yet my HOMEMADE RANCH DRESSING MIX
- Buttermilk / 1 cup
- Mayonnaise / 1 cup
- Tomatillos / 2 (husks removed and chopped)
- Garlic clove / 1 minced
- Cilantro / ½ bunch chopped
- Lime juice / 1 tablespoon (more to taste or if you want the dressing a little more runny)
Jalapeno / 1 seeds removed (if you prefer a more spicy dressing, leave the seeds in)

INSTUCTIONS

Place all the ingredients together in a blender or food processor.

Blend until smooth.

Serve as a dressing over salad or as a dip for veggies and chips.

Jan Howell

My intention for this website is to share tips and tutorials that I have found on my journey of life that has brought me joy, improved health, and peace, in hopes that it will do the same for you. I hope you'll join me on this journey!

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Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.