Copycat Cafe Rio Tomatillo Dressing Recipe

Copycat Cafe Rio Tomatillo Dressing Recipe

If you’re a fan of Café Rio’s signature salads, you know the real star of the show is the creamy tomatillo dressing. This copycat recipe brings all the zesty, fresh flavor of Cafe Rio’s famous ranch-style dressing right to your kitchen—perfect for drizzling over a salad, using as a dip, or smothering your favorite tacos. Made with tangy tomatillos, fresh cilantro, and buttermilk ranch, this is hands-down the best Café Rio dressing recipe you’ll find. You won’t believe how easy it is to make this café classic at home!

Be sure to check out these other Cafe Rio copycat recipes:

• Cafe Rio Queso Recipe
• Cafe Rio Horchata Recipe
• Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Recipe
• Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Salad Recipe

Best Copycat Café Rio Tomatillo Dressing Recipe | Make the famous Café Rio creamy tomatillo ranch dressing at home with this easy copycat recipe. Perfect for salads, tacos, and dipping!

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Ranch dressing mix – 1 packet or about 3 tablespoons of dry mix
• Mayonnaise – For that rich, creamy base
• Sour cream – Adds tang and smooth texture
• Fresh cilantro – Use an entire bunch for bold, herbaceous flavor
• Minced garlic – About 2 teaspoons for extra savory depth
• Lime juice – Freshly squeezed for brightness and zing
• Garlic powder & onion powder – Each adds extra flavor layers
• Chili powder – Just a touch of heat and warmth
• Diced jalapeños – 2–3 tablespoons, deseeded for a milder kick
• Buttermilk – ½ cup to thin the dressing and enhance creaminess (add more if needed)
• Tomatillos – 3–4, husked and rinsed; adds a refreshing bite and brings a bright, fresh note to balance the creaminess

Substitution Notes

• Ranch dressing mix: You can use a homemade ranch seasoning blend if you prefer to skip the packet—just combine dried dill, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
• Mayonnaise & sour cream: For a lighter version, swap either or both with Greek yogurt. It adds tang and protein, though the texture may be slightly different.
• Cilantro: If you’re one of those who find cilantro tastes soapy, try using fresh parsley and a bit of lime zest for a different but still fresh flavor.

Creamy Café Rio Salad Dressing – Just Like the Restaurant! | This copycat tomatillo ranch dressing tastes just like the original from Café Rio. Creamy, zesty, and loaded with cilantro flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use small green tomatoes instead of tomatillos?

Not exactly. Tomatillos have a unique tartness and come in a papery husk. Small green tomatoes won’t give you the same flavor as the real thing. If you can’t find fresh tomatillos at your grocery store, try looking in the canned goods section.

What can I use instead of buttermilk?

It’s always worth it to use actual buttermilk whenever possible. But if it just not going to happen, here’s a reasonable substitution idea: Combine 1/4 cup of Greek Yogurt, 1/4 cup fresh milk, and 1½ teaspoons of vinegar and let it sit for a few minutes. This is one of the best options for a buttermilk substitute when you’re in a pinch.

How long does homemade Café Rio dressing last?

Store your creamy tomatillo dressing in an airtight container in the fridge. It’s best enjoyed within 5–7 days, though it might not last that long—it’s seriously everyone’s favorite dressing!

Homemade Café Rio Tomatillo Ranch Dressing | Love Café Rio’s creamy dressing? Recreate it at home with this easy cilantro and tomatillo ranch recipe!

Can I make a double batch?

Yes, and we highly recommend it! This café rio copycat recipe is one of those favorite family recipes you’ll want on hand for easy dinner ideas, mexican dishes, and even chicken salad.

Is this dressing spicy?

It has a little bit of heat from the jalapeños, but it’s more zesty than spicy. If you want a spicy dressing, leave the seeds in or add more jalapeños. For less heat, use about half of the called for amount.

How should I serve this creamy tomatillo dressing?

Aside from the classic Café Rio salad dressing moment, this is a versatile dressing that pairs well with cilantro lime rice, black beans, flour tortillas, grilled meats, or any Mexican restaurant-style bowl. It’s also amazing with fresh ingredients in a veggie wrap or as a drizzle on tacos.

Restaurant-Style Creamy Tomatillo Dressing (Café Rio Copycat) | Bring the bold, tangy flavor of Café Rio’s dressing to your kitchen with this easy, creamy tomatillo ranch recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Tastes just like Café Rio’s dressing – A spot-on copycat of the real thing
• Made with fresh, simple ingredients – No preservatives, just flavor-packed goodness
• Versatile and delicious – Use it as a salad dressing, dipping sauce, or drizzle for Mexican dishes

Continue to Content

Copycat Cafe Rio Tomatillo Dressing Recipe

Yield: 12

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Additional Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

This creamy tomatillo ranch dressing is the ultimate Café Rio copycat recipe—zesty, fresh, and packed with flavor. Made with sour cream, fresh tomatillos, cilantro, and lime juice, it’s perfect for salads, tacos, or as a dipping sauce. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Café Rio or trying it for the first time, this easy homemade dressing brings the real thing to your table with simple, fresh ingredients.

Print

Ingredients

• 1 packet ranch dressing mix
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 bunch fresh 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 pickled jalapeños*
• 1/2 cup buttermilk (add more if desired to thin mixture)
• 3-4 fresh tomatillos

Instructions

1. Prep the tomatillos
   Remove the papery husks from the fresh tomatillos and rinse them thoroughly. Cut in halves or quarters for easier blending.
   
2. Rough chop the cilantro
   Trim the stems and give the fresh cilantro a quick rough chop to help it blend evenly.
   
3. Combine ingredients
   In a blender or food processor, add the tomatillos, cilantro, ranch dressing mix, mayonnaise, sour cream, minced garlic, lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and diced pickled jalapeños.
   
4. Add buttermilk
   Pour in ½ cup of buttermilk. Blend until smooth and creamy. If the dressing is too thick, add more buttermilk 1 tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
   
5. Taste and adjust
   Taste the dressing and adjust seasoning or heat, adding more jalapeños or lime juice if desired.
   
6. Chill before serving
   Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Shake or stir before serving.

Notes

*Fresh jalapeños (even seeded) will amp up the heat!

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 181Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 364mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 2g

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