Qdoba Citrus Lime Vinaigrette Recipe

We’ve made this one a bunch of times, and let me tell ya-it’s spot on. If you’re looking for the real deal Qdoba Citrus Lime Vinaigrette Recipe, you’re in good hands. We’ve tested and tasted ‘til we got it just right.

Qdoba Citrus Lime Vinaigrette is a tangy, slightly sweet salad dressing made with lime juice, orange juice, vinegar, and spices. It’s commonly served at Qdoba restaurants and used on salads and burrito bowls.

Stick around, ’cause we’re gonna show you how to make it at home-quick, easy, and full of flavor. You’ll get the full recipe, plus tips to make it even better!

What Does Qdoba Citrus Lime Vinaigrette Taste Like?

The Qdoba Citrus Lime Vinaigrette is a bright, zesty blend that bursts with fresh flavor. It starts with the bold tang of lime and lemon, balanced by the natural sweetness of orange juice and zest.

The white wine vinegar adds a light, crisp bite, while the olive oil smooths everything out with a silky finish. It’s refreshing and vibrant-like sunshine in a bottle. Each bite brings a mix of citrusy brightness with just a touch of savory salt and pepper.

Perfect for salads, grilled veggies, or burrito bowls, this vinaigrette delivers that signature Qdoba zing with a homemade twist.

Ingredients Required for Qdoba Citrus Lime Vinaigrette Recipe

Here’s the list of Ingredients you’ll need to make this Qdoba Citrus Lime Vinaigrette

• 6 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• Juice of 1 lime
• Juice of ½ lemon
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped orange zest
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Kitchen Utensil You’ll Need

1. Small mixing bowl
2. Whisk
3. Zester or grater
4. Citrus juicer (or just your hands!)
5. Cutting board
6. Measuring spoons

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: None (just mixing!)
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 4-6 servings

Copycat Qdoba Citrus Lime Vinaigrette Recipe

Simply follow the steps given below to make your Qdoba Citrus Lime Vinaigrette at home

1. Start with the Base
In your mixing bowl, pour in 6 tablespoons of olive oil. Stir in 2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar to give it that classic vinaigrette bite.

2. Squeeze the Citrus
Juice one full lime and half a lemon right into the bowl. Fresh juice is the key here!

3. Sweeten Things Up
Add in 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed orange juice. Just enough to balance the tang.

4. Zest it Up
Finely chop about 1 tablespoon of orange zest. It brings out that real citrus pop-don’t skip this step!

5. Season it and Whisk
Sprinkle in a pinch of salt and a dash of black pepper to taste. Grab your whisk and stir until it’s well emulsified. Everything should come together into one silky, sunshine-colored dressing.

Some Tasty Ways To Customize and Pair This Qdoba Citrus Lime Vinaigrette

1. Toss It with a Southwest Salad
We love mixing it into a big bowl of romaine, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, avocado, and shredded cheese. Add some grilled chicken or steak-and you’ve got yourself a restaurant-worthy salad at home.

2. Drizzle It Over Grilled Chicken
We’ve used this vinaigrette as a finishing drizzle over hot-off-the-grill chicken breasts. The lime and citrus just soak in beautifully, and it makes the chicken taste so fresh and juicy.

3. Use It as a Marinade for Shrimp
This one’s a game-changer. Toss raw shrimp in the vinaigrette and let it marinate for 15–20 minutes. Then grill or sauté. The citrus brings out the natural sweetness of the shrimp perfectly.

4. Brighten Up a Quinoa Bowl
Ever tried building a bowl with quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, black beans, and greens? We topped ours with this vinaigrette and oh my-it pulled all the flavors together like magic.

5. Serve with Fish Tacos
We spooned a little vinaigrette over some grilled fish tacos (tilapia and cod both work great), and it added that fresh, zippy touch. No need for heavy sauces here!

6. Mix It Into a Cold Pasta Salad
We’ve tossed this vinaigrette into pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, and feta. It’s so light and refreshing-perfect for potlucks or summer cookouts.

7. Drizzle Over Roasted Veggies
After pulling roasted carrots, zucchini, or Brussels sprouts out of the oven, hit ’em with a quick drizzle. It adds brightness that makes the veggies pop.

8. Use It on a Rice Bowl
We built a bowl with cilantro-lime rice, grilled chicken, beans, and pico, and let me tell you-this vinaigrette tied it all together better than any store-bought sauce ever could.

9. Dip for Crusty Bread
Sounds fancy, right? We poured a little vinaigrette into a small dish and used it as a dip for warm crusty bread. Perfect as an appetizer or snack with a glass of wine.

10. Brush It on Corn on the Cob
This one was kind of an accident, but now we do it all the time-brush the vinaigrette on hot corn right off the grill. The lime and orange zest add the perfect kick.

Some Tips on This Qdoba Citrus Lime Vinaigrette Recipe

1. Use fresh citrus if you can.
I tried using bottled juice once… and let me tell you, it just wasn’t the same. Fresh lime, lemon, and orange juice really make this vinaigrette pop!

2. Zest before you juice.
Learned this the hard way! It’s much easier to zest the orange before you cut and squeeze it. Once it’s soft and juicy, it’s way trickier.

3. Don’t skip the orange zest.
It might seem like a tiny thing, but that zest adds so much flavor. It really brings the dressing to life!

4. Taste as you go.
Everyone’s citrus is a little different. I like to dip a spoon in and taste it before I finish mixing-sometimes I add a tiny bit more lemon or salt.

5. Use a whisk, not a fork.
I tried using a fork once and it just didn’t blend as well. A whisk gets everything smooth and creamy real quick.

6. Let it sit for a few minutes.
After I mix it, I like to let it rest for about 5 minutes. The flavors blend together better, and it tastes even yummier!

7. Shake before you pour.
If you’re storing it in the fridge, it’ll separate. Just give it a good shake before using-it comes right back together.

8. Double the batch if you love it.
The first time I made it, I ran out so fast. Now I always make a little extra-it keeps well and goes on everything!

9. Try it on more than just salad.
This stuff is magic on tacos, grilled chicken, and even roasted veggies. I’ve even drizzled it on rice bowls!

10. Clean up the zest quick.
Zest can stick to your cutting board. I like to wipe it up right after I chop it, so it doesn’t get sticky or dry.

How to Store Citrus Lime Vinaigrette Properly

Once you’ve made it, pour the vinaigrette into an airtight container or small mason jar. Store it in the fridge for up to 5 days. Just give it a good shake before using-some separation is totally normal!

Common Queries on This Qdoba Citrus Lime Vinaigrette Recipe

Here, we’ve got you covered with some common questions about the Qdoba Citrus Lime Vinaigrette that people often ask.

1. What is lime vinaigrette made of?

From our kitchen to yours, lime vinaigrette is basically a bright and zesty blend of olive oil, vinegar (usually white wine or apple cider), fresh lime juice, and seasonings. For this one, we add orange juice, lemon juice, and orange zest to bring that Qdoba-style citrus kick!

2. Is Qdoba citrus lime vinaigrette vegan?

Yes, ma’am-and that’s one of the reasons we love it! No animal products here-just good ol’ fruits, oil, vinegar, and seasoning. As long as you’re using plant-based ingredients, this dressing is 100% vegan-friendly.

3. How many calories in a Qdoba citrus lime vinaigrette?

We’ve done the math on this one-our homemade version comes out to about 80–90 calories per 2-tablespoon serving, depending on how much oil you use. Most of those calories come from the olive oil, so if you’re watching your intake, feel free to use a bit less.

4. Can I use bottled lime juice instead of fresh?

You can, but we honestly don’t recommend it. Fresh lime juice gives that vibrant, zippy flavor that makes this vinaigrette so good. Bottled juice tends to be a bit flat and sometimes bitter.

5. How long does homemade citrus vinaigrette last?

We usually keep ours in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 5 days. Just give it a good shake before using because the oil and juice naturally separate over time.

6. What can I use this vinaigrette on?

Oh, where do we even start? It’s amazing on burrito bowls (just like Qdoba!), taco salads, grilled veggies, and even as a marinade for chicken or shrimp. Honestly, we’ve drizzled it on avocado toast too-and it was.

7. Can I make this vinaigrette ahead of time?

Absolutely, and we often do! In fact, we think it tastes even better after sitting in the fridge for a couple of hours-the flavors get a chance to meld together.

8. What if I don’t have white wine vinegar?

No worries! We’ve swapped it with apple cider vinegar and even rice vinegar before. Each brings its own subtle flavor twist, but they all work just fine. Just avoid plain white vinegar-it’s too harsh for this recipe.

9. Can I reduce the oil for a lighter version?

Yep! We’ve made it with just 4 tablespoons of oil instead of 6, and it still turned out tasty. It won’t be quite as creamy, but you’ll still get all that zesty flavor with fewer calories.

10. Can I use lemon zest instead of orange zest?

Sure can-especially if you’re out of oranges. It’ll change the flavor slightly, making it a bit more tart than sweet, but it still works in a pinch. We’ve tried both, and while orange zest gives it that “Qdoba” flair, lemon zest gets the job done too.

And there you have it-a homemade Qdoba Citrus Lime Vinaigrette that’s so easy, it practically makes itself. It’s the perfect finishing touch to brighten up any meal. Drizzle it over salads, tacos, grilled veggies, or even use it as a marinade for chicken. No fancy equipment, no hard-to-find ingredients-just fresh flavors done right.

Go ahead and give it a whirl. You’ll never want to buy store-bought dressing again!

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