This easy Creamy Avocado Dressing recipe is made with only a handful of basic ingredients, but delivers tangy citrus and rich herby flavor in every bite!
Positively packed with rich citrus and herb flavors with a hint of sweetness, this creamy avocado salad dressing is here to turn every salad into the ultimate dream.
The inspiration for this simple recipe came from my own torrid love affair with a taco salad from a local restaurant I first discovered when I was 14 years old.
Without the dressing? Salad normalcy. With the dressing? Absolute bliss! Due to the enormous flavor it imparts, I just had to make my own homemade version. And you guys? I absolutely NAILED it.
I love it on taco salads, but any green salad is enhanced by its huge fresh flavors.
Let’s discuss the simple ingredients for this amazing salad dressing recipe! The great news is the full list of ingredients can be found at any grocery store.
Creamy Avocado Dressing Ingredients:
Avocado: The star of the show! Use perfectly ripe avocados that aren’t too hard or too soft. Avoid using overripe avocados with brown spots for the best results.
Fresh Lime Juice: Every great salad dressing needs a tangy component in the form of vinegar or citrus juice. I love using fresh lime juice for its big burst of vibrant flavor.
Fresh Parsley or Cilantro: Adding earthy, herby flavor, we need fresh parsley or fresh cilantro. Don’t skip this crucial ingredient, as it adds nuance to the flavor profile!
Avocado Oil: While avocado provides the majority of the healthy fat for this healthy salad dressing recipe, a little avocado oil helps smooth it all out for the richest flavor and texture.
Fresh Garlic: Adjust the amount to your personal taste! I find one large garlic clove is the perfect amount.
Pure Maple Syrup: A touch of sweetness rounds out the flavor profile, cutting some of the acidity and boosting the deliciousness.
Recipe Customizations:
- Swap out the fresh lime juice for rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice.
- Cut out the pure maple syrup if you follow a sugar-free diet. Honey works as a replacement here too.
- Experiment with other kinds of herbs. Fresh basil is a great option! You can also add a little fresh oregano or fresh thyme, but stick with a small amount because these herbs are powerful.
- Use extra virgin olive oil instead of avocado oil for a rich olive flavor.
- Some people like adding sour cream or Greek yogurt for a thinner dressing with added creamy texture. I find the recipe is great as is and I appreciate the fact that it is dairy-free for all my dairy intolerant friends.
Now that we’ve covered the basic ingredients, let’s make it!
How to Make Creamy Avocado Dressing:
Add all of the dressing ingredients to a small blender such as a Magic Bullet, NutriBullet, or mini food processor.
Blend until completely smooth.
Use dressing immediately on a salad, taco bowl, or taco salad.
Store leftover dressing in a jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Tips for the Best Avocado Dressing:
- Use avocados that are ripe but still fairly firm. There shouldn’t be a lot of brown spots on the flesh.
- I recommend using this dressing just after preparing it for the best results. While the avocado stays fresh for a couple of days due to the lime juice, the taste is at its prime just after preparing the dressing.
Use it On:
- Chicken Taco Salad
- Shredded Beef Taco Salad
- Baja Fish Taco Bowl
- Crispy Chicken Salad
- Copycat Chipotle Burrito Bowls
Use it as a dipping sauce for Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries too!
Make this creamy dressing the next time you’re craving a ginormous filling salad to tie all of your delicious ingredients together!
Creamy Avocado Dressing Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 large ripe avocado
- ½ cup fresh flat leaf parsley or cilantro chopped
- ½ cup fresh lime juice or rice vinegar
- 2 Tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
- 1 Tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 large clove garlic minced
- ¼ tsp sea salt to taste
Instructions
- Add all of the dressing ingredients to a small blender such as a Magic Bullet, NutriBullet, or mini food processor. Blend until completely smooth.
- Taste the dressing for flavor and add sea salt or garlic to your personal taste if need be. Use dressing immediately on a salad, taco bowl, or taco salad.
- Store leftover dressing in a jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. I recommend using the dressing within 12 hours of making it for the best flavor.
