Avocado Salad Dressing

Even if you’re not the biggest avocado fan, I think you’re going to love this salad dressing. It’s light and refreshing, with a hint of fresh cilantro and cumin.

You can use it over tacos, quinoa bowls, and any other dish that needs a tangy topping. (Like a dip for quesadillas or fajitas.)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Featured Review

“I love this recipe! I use it with everything. From salads to fish chicken or steamed veggies. It is so yummy!” -Carina

Avocado Dressing Ingredients

• Avocado. Just half of an avocado is enough to create a creamy, luscious texture. It replaces most of the oil in this recipe, making it lower in calories as well.
• Lemon or Lime Juice. Either option will add the perfect amount of tangy flavor. Feel free to add the zest as well!
• Cilantro. Fresh cilantro pairs perfectly with avocado, creating a refreshing flavor. You can use another fresh herb, such as dill or parsley, if you prefer. Or use a blend of herbs for a green goddess flavor.
• Garlic. This helps deepen the flavor and adds a hint of spice. Use a 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder as a swap, if needed.
• Maple Syrup. This is added to help balance the tangy flavor, but can be omitted if you need a fully sugar-free recipe.
• Olive Oil. Only a tablespoon is added to help emulsify the dressing, but you can also omit it if you need an oil-free recipe. The avocado already adds plenty of creaminess and water helps create a runnier consistency.
• Spices. Salt, pepper, and ground cumin help boost the overall flavor and hide the avocado taste.

How to Make Avocado Dressing

Step 1:

In a high-speed blender, add the avocado, water, olive oil, lemon or lime juice, garlic, cilantro, maple syrup, and spices. Secure the lid and blend until the mixture appears smooth and creamy.

Stop and scrape down the sides of the blender as needed to ensure the ingredients are evenly incorporated.

Step 2:

Taste the dressing and make any necessary adjustments. You can add more salt for a flavor boost, or more maple syrup if the dressing tastes too salty or tangy.

It’s ready to use immediately over tacos, quinoa bowls, and more.

Storage Tips

You can store this dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. The avocado won’t turn brown in that time, probably thanks to the salt and acidity added to the dressing.

Avocado Dressing Recipe

4.91 from 11 votes

The next time you need a drizzle for tacos or salads, try this avocado dressing recipe. Creamy avocado acts as a replacement for oil, making it lower in calories yet loaded with flavor.

prep5 mins cook0 mins total5 mins

Servings:6

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Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• ½ avocado (see notes)
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• ¾ cup water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
• 1 cup fresh cilantro , loosely packed
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt , plus more to taste
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon ground cumin

Instructions

• Add the avocado flesh, lime juice, water, oil (if using), cilantro, garlic, maple syrup, salt, black pepper, and cumin to a high-speed blender. Secure the lid and blend until the mixture is smooth.
• Taste the dressing and add more salt, if needed, to boost the flavor. (I usually add another ¼ teaspoon.) Once you're satisfied with the flavor, the dressing can be used immediately or stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Notes

Nutrition information is for approximately a 1/4 cup of dressing, assuming you get 1 1/2 cups total from this batch. This information is automatically calculated using a generic database, so it’s just an estimate and not a guarantee. 

Avocado Note: I use a medium to large avocado when making this recipe. If your avocado is on the smaller side, start with only a 1/2 cup of water so the dressing won’t be too runny. You can always add more liquid as needed until you’re satisfied with the consistency. 

Update Note: I updated this recipe in 2025 with better photos and added cumin, because it pairs well with the other flavors. Feel free to omit it if you prefer. 

Nutrition

Calories: 53kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Fat: 4g | Sodium: 198mg | Potassium: 103mg | Fiber: 1g | Vitamin A: 205IU | Vitamin C: 4.8mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Author: Megan Gilmore

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: avocado dressing

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If you try this avocado salad dressing, please leave a comment and star rating below to let me know how you like it.