Ditch the bottled dressings and prepare to be amazed!
This creamy avocado salad dressing recipe is incredibly easy, healthier, and bursting with fresh flavor that will elevate any salad to a whole new level.
Get ready to discover the secret to a dressing so good, you'll never look back.
Why Avocado Dressing?
I'm gonna let you in on why this creamy avocado dressing is gonna rock your salad world – it uses avocado to make it creamy, instead of mayonnaise or tons of oil! It's a better-for-you way to get that creamy dressing you crave.
Don't worry, it won't taste super avocado-ey. You see, avocados are kinda dense. We need to thin it out so it's pourable—like a real dressing. This method adds versatility to your dish creations.
It makes about 1 1/4 cups! That's enough for a side salad for 6-8 people, depending on how much dressing you like. You can even use overripe avocados. Those with little brown spots work perfectly. It's excellent on salads that usually call for Ranch, Caesar, or other mayo-heavy dressings. Who needs all that mayo anyway?
Ingredients You'll Need
Alright, let's explore into what you will need for this amazing creamy avocado dressing! First, you'll need 1/2 cup of ripe avocado. Seriously, that is the heart of it!
Grab 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, plus 3 tablespoons of sour cream or yogurt—Greek or plain will work, but it is totally optional. Don't have it? No problem!
Next, you will need 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Add a small garlic clove, minced—I highly recommend a garlic crusher for the best results. Trust me, it's worth it.
Then, get ready with 4 tablespoons of water. This thins out the dressing so it's not too thick—we want it pourable, not like guacamole! The flavor of this dressing is enhanced with fresh lemon juice, much like the bright taste citrus gives to hummus.
Finally, a little seasoning—1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Got it? Great, let's make some salad dressing!
Making the Dressing
Now that we have our ingredients all lined up, let's get to actually making the dressing! It is seriously easy – you'll be surprised.
I always start by placing everything – I mean *everything* – into my Nutribullet. A small food processor works just as well. Now, blitz it! Keep going until it looks totally smooth.
Next, I use water to get it to the right consistency. I don't want it super thick – more pourable, you know? It shouldn't be gloopy!
Finally, I always give it a taste. I add extra salt, pepper, lemon, or oil, if needed. It is like a personal touch! And then, you're all set to use the dressing on your salad.
Flavor Variations
I've experimented with this basic avocado dressing, and let me tell you, the flavor possibilities are endless! Want a Mexican twist? Swap lemon for lime, toss in 1/4 cup of cilantro, 1 1/2 tablespoons of red onion – finely chopped, of course – and a dash – about 1/4 teaspoon – of cumin.
For a herby sensation, mix in 1/4 cup of parsley, dill, cilantro, or chives. Or maybe 1 1/2 tablespoons each of coriander and dill—a flavor combo I love!
Ranch dressing fan? Add 1/4 teaspoon each of dried dill, parsley, chives, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper… plus 1/2 teaspoon of sugar — don't skip it! More lemon? Throw in the zest of one. For Greek, add 2 teaspoons of oregano (dried only!) and an extra lemon squeeze—perfect for a Greek salad.
Short Recipe Version
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Serving Size: 6
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a blender.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Information (per serving, estimated):
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 14g
- Protein: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 4g