Avocado Cilantro Dressing

This easy homemade Avocado Cilantro Dressing is fresh, delicious, and super creamy. This silky sauce has a vibrant green color and rich texture. Simple to make and ready in under 5 minutes!

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Why we love this recipe

It has a creamy texture with a fresh and vibrant taste. The bright flavors and smooth richness are so satisfying.

Versatility! We have a comprehensive list below but you can basically put this on everything.

This recipe is also naturally, vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free. Bonus!

Ingredients

• avocado – check out the expert tip below for choosing the perfect ripe avocado.
• lime juice – lemon juice can also be used – both are sour and citrusy but lemon has a slight floral hint to it.
• fresh cilantro leaves – substitute fresh parsley if you aren’t a fan of cilantro.
• olive oil – any neutral oil will work. We also like using MCT oil for dressings as it has a really mild flavor.
• garlic – fresh minced garlic or a teaspoon of dried garlic.
• water
• fine sea salt
• black pepper

Equipment

• immersion blender – a food processor or high-speed blender such as a Vitamix or Blendtec would also work.
• large mason jar – if you are using an immersion blender that did not come with a mixing jar, we recommend using this size jar so the mixture doesn’t splash all over.

Instructions

Step 1

Start by prepping the ingredients.

First, slice open the avocado, remove the pit, and scoop the flesh out into the mixing jar.

Step 2

Next, add the rest of the ingredients to the jar.

Step 3

Then, using an immersion blender, completely mix everything together until you reach your desired consistency.

The mixture should be smooth and creamy.

Expert tip

Our tried and true tip for picking perfect avocadoes is to asses the stem.

Remove the small stem or cap at the top of the avocado and if it comes off easily and you see a green color underneath, it shows that the avocado is likely ripe. If you find brown discoloration under the stem or if it’s difficult to remove, the avocado may be overripe and not creamy delicious. Skip those ones.

Recipe variations

• Make it extra creamy by adding a few dollops of Greek yogurt or even sour cream before blending.
• Heat things up by including a few diced jalapenos or serrano peppers in the mix.
• For a smoky and slightly spicy flavor, you can include chipotle peppers in adobo sauce to the blend.

Serving suggestions

• Serve as a healthier substitute for mayonnaise. Spread on sandwiches, burgers, or wraps, or as a creamy element in slaws.
• Enjoy it as salad dressing and toss it on your favorite salad.
• Drizzle it over rice bowls, tacos, burrito bowls, and fajitas.
• Use it as a dip for cut veggies and tortilla chips.
• Pour it into a little dish and serve as a sauce for grilled chicken, steak, or shrimp.
• Use as a marinade for meats, poultry, or seafood. Its creamy texture and flavorful ingredients make it a great option for marinating and tenderizing proteins. Simply coat the meat or seafood in the dressing and let it marinate in the refrigerator for a few hours before cooking.

FAQS

Storage

Store any leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.

In our experience, we haven’t had much success freezing and don’t really recommend it. The texture is different after thawing and simply not as flavorful and delicious as when fresh.

More healthy dressing recipes

**This recipe was originally posted on July 11, 2014, updated on April 12, 2019, and updated again on May 24, 2023, with recipe notes, writing, and photos.**

If you’ve tried our Cilantro Lime Avocado Dressing, please rate the recipe and let me know how it turned out by leaving me a comment below. I’m always interested in feedback!

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