This Creamy Avocado Dressing is healthy and dairy-free. It’s fantastic on any salad, but it can also be used as a spread on sandwiches, as a sauce for protein, or as an accompaniment to any grain or rice dish.
It’s a green versatile showstopper that does it all!
Avocado Dressing Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this Avocado Dressing Recipe:
Avocado: This is the main star of this dressing because it creates a creamy, non-dairy base with healthy fats and nutrients! The key is to get the perfect avocado, which can always be tricky. I recommend getting and using avocados, which are slightly under-rip than over-rip. Nobody wants a browned, turned avocado with a bitter taste in their dressing.
Lemon Juice: Lemon brightens this dressing, cuts through the fat of the avocado, and makes the flavors pop.
Garlic: I love adding some heat to this dressing with raw garlic. It adds the perfect bite.
Cilantro: This herb brightens this dressing and adds a wonderful freshness! If you don’t prefer the taste of cilantro, just sub this out with either tarragon, dill, mint, basil, or parsley.
Olive Oil: Olive oil adds a thickness and richness to this dressing that also binds it together.
Water: Sometimes the dressing can get a bit thick (depending on the size of your avocados), so you can add a splash of water to thin it out.
Salt and Black Pepper: Salt brings out the natural sweetness of each ingredient, while pepper gives the dressing a lovely rounded bite.
Find the full recipe with ingredients and directions below.
How to make this Creamy Avocado Dressing
Prep and gather your ingredients: Scoop your avocados and place them in a food processor or blender. Juice your lemons, Microplane your garlic, de-stem your cilantro, and add that to the food processor or blender.
Pulse your dressing: Pulse the food processor or blender while it’s running, and add the olive oil. Adjust the consistency and add a splash of water if desired.
Season to taste: Season your dressing with salt and pepper and to taste and pulse to combine.
Avocado Dressing Variations and Tips
I’m quite keen on the recipe I provided, but it is the perfect base to experiment and mix and match flavor profiles that speak to you! Try some of the combinations below:
- Avocados: It is tricky to have and use a perfectly ripe avocado. If you buy avocados that you want to delay the ripening process, you can pop them in the fridge to halt the ripening process. If you want to speed up the ripening process, place your avocados in a paper bag with an apple.
- Herbs: I chose to use cilantro for this recipe. However, some people oppose this herb and prefer a subtler flavor. Instead of cilantro, you can substitute it for tarragon, dill, mint, parsley, or basil.
- Heat: If you like spicy dressing, add cayenne pepper, chili oil, or chili crunch.
Creaminess: If you like an even creamer base, add ¼ cup of mayonnaise,
Crème fraîche, sour cream, yogurt, or any non-dairy plant-based yogurt to this dressing.
Serving Suggestions for Creamy Avocado Dressing?
I love this dressing over a large beautiful salad like this cucumber tomato salad that is bright, beautiful, and bold, But this dressing is also fantastic over a grain bowl; you can check out this how to cook farro recipe that is healthy and delicious along with this pearl couscous that is both fantastic with raw veggies or roasted vegetables and protein. You can also simply use it as a dip with any chip or veggie or use it as a spread on sandwiches.
How to Store
This dressing will hold in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to four to five days. You can also make and freeze a batch, so it’s available to you at any time.
More Favorite Dressings and Sauces to Try
- Tahini Dressing
- Dill Sauce
- Tahini Sauce
Creamy Avocado Dressing Recipe
Equipment
- Food Processor or Blender
- Citrus Juicer
- Measuring Cup Set
- Rubber Spatula
Ingredients
- 2 ripe avocados
- 5 tbs fresh lime juice
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup cilantro, leaves (you can substitute this for tarragon, dill, mint, parsley, or basil)
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbs olive oil
- 1/2 cup water (To thin it out. If you like a thicker dressing or want this as a sauce, add less or no water.)
- Season to taste with additional salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Scoop your avocados and place them in a food processor or blender.
- Juice your lemons, and add to the food processor with the garlic cloves and cilantro.
- Pulse the food processor or blender, and while it’s running, add in your olive oil.
- Adjust the consistency and the water if desired.
- Blend all ingredients to create your creamy avocado dressing.
- Season your dressing with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- Avocados: It is tricky to have and use a perfectly ripe avocado. If you buy avocados that you want to delay the ripening process, you can pop them in the fridge to halt the process. If you want to speed up the ripening process, place your avocados in a paper bag with an apple.
- Herbs: I chose to use cilantro for this recipe. However, some people oppose this herb and prefer a subtler flavor. Instead of cilantro, you can substitute it for tarragon, dill, mint, parsley, or basil.
- Heat: If you like spicy dressing, add cayenne pepper, chili oil, or chili crunch.
- Creaminess: If you like an even creamer base, add ¼ cup of mayonnaise, creme frâiche, sour cream, yogurt, or any non-dairy plant-based yogurt to this dressing.
