Whenever I visit The Cheesecake Factory, I order the Santa Fe Salad. I love the taste of this dressing. It’s not the crisp Romaine lettuce or the perfectly grilled chicken that keeps me coming back—it’s that vibrant, zesty cilantro-lime dressing that elevates every bite into something extraordinary.
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After countless restaurant visits specifically for this salad, I decided it was time to recreate that magical dressing at home. Not only did I succeed, but I might have even improved upon the original! Now I’m sharing my copycat recipe so you can enjoy this refreshing Southwestern-inspired dressing whenever the craving strikes, no reservation needed.
Table of Contents
What Makes This Santa Fe Dressing Special?
Unlike many store-bought Southwestern dressings that rely on dried herbs and preservatives, this copycat Cheesecake Factory dressing celebrates fresh ingredients. The combination of bright cilantro, zingy lime, and subtle heat creates a bold and balanced flavor profile.
This dressing isn’t just flavorful—it’s versatile too. While it’s designed to complement The Cheesecake Factory’s famous Santa Fe Salad, it works beautifully as a marinade for grilled chicken, a sauce for fish tacos, or a flavor boost for grain bowls.
Ingredients: What You’ll Need
- Fresh garlic – Provides essential pungent flavor and aromatic depth as the foundation of the dressing
- Fresh ginger – It adds subtle warmth and complexity that balances the bright citrus notes
- Fresh cilantro – Delivers the signature herbaceous flavor that defines Santa Fe dressing
- Fresh lime juice – It creates brightness and acidity that cuts through the oil base
- Wine vinegar – Enhances the acidity and adds depth to the citrus notes
- Ground cumin – Contributes earthy, warm Southwestern flavor essential to the dressing’s character
- Salt – Balances and enhances all other flavors in the dressing
- Fresh ground pepper – Adds gentle heat and complexity to the flavor profile
- Honey – Provides necessary sweetness to balance the acidity of lime and vinegar
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese – Creates richness and umami depth while helping emulsify the dressing
- Canola oil – Forms the neutral base that carries the flavors without overpowering them
- Olive oil – Adds fruity notes and richness to complement the fresh herbs
Equipment Needed
- Food processor or blender
- Citrus juicer or reamer
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Glass jar with lid for storage
- Grater for parmesan cheese
How to Make Santa Fe Salad Dressing
- Drop garlic cloves and ginger through the feed tube of a food processor while the motor is on. Continue processing until garlic and ginger are finely minced.
- Add the cilantro and process until finely chopped.
- Add spices, lime juice, vinegar, honey, and parmesan cheese. Process until well mixed.
- With the motor running, slowly pour the oil through the feed tube. Let it process one more minute.
- Transfer the dressing to a jar.
- Enjoy the dressing on a mixed green salad or a copycat Cheesecake Factory Santa Fe salad.
Cheesecake Factory Santa Fe Salad
To make the Santa Fe Salad the way the restaurant serves it:
- Slice a grilled chicken breast into bite size pieces or thin strips.
- Place the chicken strips on top of a bed of mixed greens. Use your favorite salad blend or baby leaf lettuce and romaine.
- Garnish with whole kernel corn, black beans, diced tomatoes, shredded Monterey jack cheese, and corn tortilla strips.
- Place the dressing on the side or drizzle it over the salad.
How To Store Cheesecake Factory Salad Dressing
Keep the salad dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
How Long Does It Last
Try to use the Santa Fe Dressing within three days to prevent the cilantro from turning brown and the garlic from overpowering the dressing.
Other Possible Uses for This Homemade Santa Fe Salad Dressing
This salad dressing makes an excellent marinade for chicken, or go ahead and use it as a sauce for grilled chicken or a firm white fish such as tilapia, Atlantic cod, and sole. It is perfect for adding extra zip to fish or chicken tacos!
Copycat Cheesecake Factory Santa Fe Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons garlic
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger
- 2 bunches cilantro rinsed well, most of the stalk ends trimmed off, and finely chopped (about 1 cup loosely packed)
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
- 1½ teaspoons wine vinegar
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1/4 cup olive oil
Instructions
With a food processor
- Drop the garlic cloves and ginger through the feed tube while the motor is on. Mince well.
- Add the cilantro and process until finely chopped.
- Add the lime juice, vinegar, salt, spices, honey, and Parmesan cheese. Process until well mixed.
- With the motor running, slowly pour the oils through the feed tube, and process for one more minute.
Without a food processor
- Mince the garlic, ginger, and cilantro, and place them in a mixing bowl with the lime juice, vinegar, salt, spices, honey, and cheese.
- Whisk in the oil until it is emulsified into the dressing.
Notes
Recreate The Complete Cheesecake Factory Santa Fe Salad
Turn your homemade dressing into a full restaurant experience with these simple steps:- Prepare the protein: Grill a chicken breast seasoned with salt, pepper, and a touch of cumin. Slice into strips.
- Assemble the base: Create a bed of mixed greens using baby leaf lettuce and romaine.
- Add Southwestern toppings: Sprinkle with corn kernels, black beans, diced tomatoes, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
- Add crunch: Top with crispy corn tortilla strips.
- Finish with dressing: Drizzle the Santa Fe dressing over the salad or serve it on the side.
Nutrition
- Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake Recipe
- Cheesecake Factory Chicken Piccata
- Chicken Madeira
- Chicken Romano Recipe
- Red Velvet Cheesecake
- Best Oreo Cheesecake Recipe
Favorite Salad Dressing Recipes
- Blue Cheese Salad Dressing
- Homemade French Dressing
- Italian Salad Dressing Recipe
- Japanese Dressing
- Oriental Salad Dressing
- Pesto Dressing
- Russian Dressing Recipe
Be sure to check out more of my homemade salad dressing recipes and the best copycat restaurant recipes.
Thanks to dsign4you for sharing this salad recipe.
Recipe Variations to Try
- Avocado Santa Fe Dressing: Add half a ripe avocado to the food processor for a creamier texture and added richness.
- Spicy Santa Fe Dressing: Include a seeded jalapeño or serrano pepper for heat that builds with each bite.
- Tropical Twist: Add 2 tablespoons of pineapple juice and reduce the honey slightly for a tropical variation.
- Smoky Santa Fe Dressing: Add 1/4 teaspoon of smoked paprika for a subtle smoky undertone.
Creative Ways to Use This Dressing Beyond Salad
This versatile dressing works beautifully as:
- Marinade: Use it to infuse chicken, shrimp, or firm white fish with flavor before grilling.
- Taco sauce: Drizzle over fish or chicken tacos for freshness.
- Grain bowl dressing: Transform simple quinoa or rice bowls into exciting meals.
- Sandwich spread: Thin with a touch of mayonnaise and use on wraps or sandwiches.
- Dipping sauce: Serve with quesadillas, empanadas, or fresh vegetables.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigeration: Store this dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Duration: For optimal freshness and flavor, use within 3 days. After this time, the cilantro may begin to brown and the garlic flavor can become too pronounced.
- Before serving: If the dressing separates during storage, simply shake the jar vigorously before using.
Can’t get enough of the Cheesecake Factory? Try these copycat recipes!
Did you love the Cheesecake Factory Santa Fe Salad dressing, or do you only go to the Cheesecake Factory for its irresistible cheesecake?
I would also love to hear what your favorite Cheesecake Factory recipe is—please let me know in the comments section below.
This recipe was spot on for Santa Fe salad dressing from cheesecake factory. The one thing it was lacking was the peanut sauce which I solved by buying a bottle of Thai. Peanut sauce actually was really good. Also the cilantro for me it had too much cilantro I reduced it by one, and I probably would even reduce that by a little bit more I also reduce lime but the one thing I didn’t reduce was the spices and the oil which I should’ve reduced the oil that was my own fault but overall it was excellent. Every recipe is based on your taste so if you don’t like all the cilantro, just reduce it, but remember to reduce the oil.
Amazing dressing and marinade. We followed recipe exactly as shown but did add a couple of tablespoons of Thai spicy peanut sauce. Used on copy of Cheesecake Factory Sante Fe Salad and then marinated prawns and steak one night and grilled them. Wow-great flavor on everything. Thanks for the recipe.
There is a fair amount of Parm in this recipe and I wanted to make it vegan. Anyone try it without the parm and can tell me how it was? I would use another sweetener as well. Im hoping if I leave those out and add peanut butter, it will still be amazing!
Isn’t there a peanut sauce component for this salad?
Yes. This recipe seems to be missing it. It’s what makes it so special!
Using this recipe as a starting point I made an oil-free vegan version *with* peanut butter and OMG it is DELISH! I’m thrilled to be able to enjoy my former fave dressing while maintaining my plant-based lifestyle choices. Yay!!
We were at your Tucson restaurant Thurs night and shared the Sante Fe chicken salad, My husband said it was the best salad he ever had. I agree. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
I made this recipe tonight and it was very delicious. I used only one bunch of cilantro and it was enough for me. I used EVOO for the oil. Will definitely make it again.
I am glad you enjoyed the salad dressing.
Thanks for all the effort and hard work you put into this website! When you say 2 bunches of cilantro, the one I buy at the grocery store are pretty big, I would say the size of a soft ball, should I use 2??? I am afraid it will overpower! Thanks! Andre
I eyeball everything, I don’t measure because you can taste the ingredients once they are mixed together.
This by far the best copykat. 🙂
hi ,
can you tell me what is the spicy peanut sauce dressing is ?
Thx
Delish! My cilantro bunches were pretty large, so I only used one. I was out of ginger so I used 2 tbs of crystallized ginger instead. Thanks for the recipe
How long does this dressing last in the refrigerator?
I was wondering the same thing!
This recipe is awesome but if you add two table spoons of peanut butter its even better 🙂
I have looked on here but cant find the recipe for the spicy peanut dressing form The Cheesecake Factory can anyone help me??
I do not have that recipe at CopyKat.com, you may want to join the message board at http://www.copykatchat.com and put a request under recipe requests.
Stephanie
I tried it and it came out super good but my only question is what is meant by 2 2 bunches cilantro, I used about 1 cup but it was ok, can u give me the exact amout of cilantro plz!!
Does anyone know the recipe for the Caesar Salad dressing from Cheesecake Factory? I love it! It’s super garlicky and spicy…