Simple Avocado Cilantro Dressing with creamy avocado, fresh cilantro, zesty lime and savory garlic will be one of your new favorite healthy salad dressings.

I love to drizzle this avocado lime dressing on my chicken quinoa bowl and Mexican kale salad.

Avocado cilantro dressing in a glass jar with a spoon and a bowl of salad and limes nearby.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This creamy avocado cilantro dressing is perfect for guacamole lovers everywhere!

  • Delicious: Avocado dressing recipe is super fresh, bright, and creamy.
  • Simple ingredients: It contains just 5 simple ingredients.
  • Quick: Ready in just 5 minutes, this avocado salad dressing is perfect for a last-minute salad.
  • Easy: All you need is just a blender or food processor and a knife.
  • Versatile: Swap out the herbs, add some heat, adjust the consistency whether you want a dipping sauce or a dressing.

Ingredients for Avocado Cilantro Lime Dressing

To make this creamy avocado cilantro dressing, you will need just 5 simple ingredients plus salt and pepper.

Avocado, olive oil, cilantro, garlic, lime, salt and pepper.
  • Avocado: Use one large ripe avocado. Avocado is ripe when its skin is brown and it gives in to the touch.
  • Olive oil: Use high quality extra virgin olive oil for the best results. For a more subtle flavor, use light olive oil.
  • Cilantro: I recommend using just the cilantro leaves as stems tend to make the salad dressing more bitter. 
  • Lime: Fresh lime juice is the best. Lemon juice will also work. You can even try orange juice for slightly sweeter results. 
  • Garlic: Feel free to adjust the amount based on how garlicky you like your food. If you don’t have fresh garlic, use 1-2 teaspoons of garlic powder instead. 
  • Water: To thin creamy avocado cilantro lime dressing to the desired consistency based on whether you want a dip or avocado salad dressing. 
  • Salt and Pepper: Adjust to personal taste.

How to Make Avocado Cilantro Dressing

Here is a quick overview how to make avocado cilantro dressing recipe. Full recipe card is located below.

  • Blend the ingredients: In a food processor or blender, combine all of the ingredients and process until smooth.
  • Add water if needed: Depending on how thick you want the avocado cilantro dressing to be, you may need to drizzle in a little extra water and blend in-between until it reaches your desired consistency.

Recipe Tip

Make sure to give the dressing a taste and adjust any of the ingredients as desired before serving. Lime for tang, salt and pepper for extra seasoning, cilantro for a punch of flavor, or garlic.

Variations

Here are a few swaps you can do for this avocado cilantro dressing depending what you have on hand.

  • For avocado ranch dressing: Substitute the olive oil for yogurt instead.
  • Creamier avocado dressing: Instead of omitting the oil entirely, you can make slightly more creamy, rich avocado cilantro lime dressing with the addition of just a few spoonfuls of yogurt or sour cream. 
  • Add spice: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for spice. Alternatively, you can add a little bit of diced jalapeno (remove seeds for less heat).
  • Cumin: A little cumin helps to add depth of flavor to this creamy avocado dressing.
  • Sweetness: I’ve never found the need to add any additional sugar to this dressing recipe. However, if you want to slightly balance the sharp flavors, I recommend to add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.
  • Apple cider vinegar: This dressing is already tangy, thanks to the lime juice. However, combining the lime juice with apple cider vinegar can help to add more depth of flavor to the dressing.
Avocado lime dressing in a glass jar with a spoon and cut up lime near it.

Serving Recommendations

The ways you can enjoy this avocado cilantro dressing depends on whether you’re serving it as a dipping sauce or a salad dressing. 

Drizzle on a salad, flavor load your favorite tacos or just scoop with tortilla chips or veggies.

How to Store It

Store the prepared avocado cilantro dressing in an airtight glass container for up to 5 days, this way it shouldn’t brown. Make sure to stir it before use.

If you notice sauce begins to brown, add a little additional lemon juice or lime juice. You can also refrigerate it with a bit of water or olive oil on top to help keep from oxidizing.

FAQs

Can I substitute the cilantro in this avocado cilantro dressing?

If you want to substitute the cilantro, I recommend to use fresh parsley or fresh basil.

Can I freeze avocado dressing?

I don’t recommend freezing any avocado dressing because the fresh herbs and avocado consistency will be affected in the freezing and thawing process. However, you can use previously frozen avocado to make this creamy dressing.

Can I make it in advance?

Yes. You can make the dressing for up to 5 days in advance.

What if it is too thick to pour?

Add a bit more water.

More Avocado Recipes to Try

More Salad Dressing Recipes to Try

You might also enjoy browsing through my favorite collection of healthy salads and healthy salad dressing recipes!

Avocado cilantro lime dressing in a glass jar and a bowl of salad on a counter.
Avocado cilantro dressing dripping off a spoon into a glass jar.

Avocado Cilantro Lime Dressing

Simple Avocado Cilantro Dressing with creamy avocado, fresh cilantro, zesty lime and savory garlic. Drizzle on salads, tacos or use as a dip.
4.84 from 6 votes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 104
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 7 minutes
Total Time 7 minutes

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • In a food processor or high speed blender, add avocado, olive oil, water, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, salt and pepper.
  • Process until smooth, adjusting consistency with more water if necessary.
  • Serve with your favorite salad, with Mexican kale salad, Greek chicken kabobs, falafel, chicken quinoa bowl or as a veggie dip. So many options!

Notes

  • Store: Dressing doesn’t turn brown if kept refrigerated in a glass airtight container for up 5 days. Stir before use.
  • Cilantro stems make dressing more bitter, so I recommend using only the leaves.
  • Avocado ranch: Substitute 1/4 cup olive oil with yogurt.
  • Cumin or a heat kick: Add a pinch of cumin or red pepper flakes, to spice things up.

Nutrition

Serving: 3tbsp | Calories: 104kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 149mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g
Course: Salad Dressing
Cuisine: American
Author: Olena Osipov
Did you make this recipe?Mention @ifoodreal or tag #ifoodreal!

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About Olena

Welcome! I grew up in Ukraine watching my grandma cook with simple ingredients. I have spent the last 11 years making it my mission to help you cook quick and easy meals for your family!

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    So good!! I’ve tried for years I tried to get my son to eat salad and with all his allergies it is is not easy! I like how this salad dressing does not have milk thank you so much!! He likes this salad which is a big deal. He loves guacamole and your Mexican bean salad which has the same cumin flavor. Great job!!

  2. 5 stars
    your food recipe are so delicious I cant wait to make some of your recipe. THANK YOU FOR SHARING!

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