Avocado Dressing Recipe, Variations, and Tips

Avocado dressing is a salad dressing with a creamy texture from emulsified ripe avocados, oil, an acid like citrus juice, and various other seasonings. Many creamy salad dressing recipes involve egg or dairy products, like mayonnaise or sour cream, but avocados provide a similar texture and a stunning green color.

The mild flavor of avocado lends itself well to a range of different ingredients and seasonings. Here are five different avocado salad dressings to try:

1. 1. Avocado cilantro lime dressing: Avocado, cilantro, and lime are a classic combination. Take inspiration from Mexican sauces like guacamole and Chef Gabriela Cámara’s salsa verde cruda and pair avocados with fresh jalapeño peppers, tomatillos, ground cumin, lime juice, garlic, and finely chopped fresh cilantro stems.
2. 2. Caesar dressing: A classic Caesar salad dressing features egg yolk, anchovy paste, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. To add avocado to the mix, purée half a ripe avocado with anchovy, garlic, and a pinch of salt into a smooth paste. Add the avocado paste to a large bowl, then whisk in egg yolks, lemon juice, and mustard. Slowly whisk in olive oil until emulsified. Lastly, whisk in the Parmesan, then season to taste with salt and pepper. Adjust the consistency with a bit of water as needed, and season to taste. Add more flavor to your Caesar salad with Apollonia Poîlane’s seasoned brioche salad croutons.
3. 3. Green goddess dressing: Traditional green goddess dressing features mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, and anchovy. Its bright green color comes from fresh herbs like chervil, chives, and tarragon. Add ripe avocado to the dressing for an extra dose of healthy fats and flavor, or use it as a dairy-free substitute for the mayonnaise.
4. 4. Pesto dressing: Add Italian flavor to your avocado salad dressing with fresh basil, olive oil, garlic, and Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast.
5. 5. Ranch dressing: For a ranch-inspired avocado dressing, blend half a ripe avocado with one cup of Greek yogurt, half a cup of sour cream, finely chopped fresh dill, chives, garlic powder, and onion powder, then season to taste. If you plan to use your avocado ranch as a dressing rather than a dip, thin it out with a quarter-cup of water as needed.
6. 6. Southwestern dressing: For a Southwestern-style dressing, combine avocado with chili powders like chipotle, pasilla, or ancho; lime juice; and garlic powder. It’s the perfect dressing for a quinoa salad featuring black beans, red onion, and corn.

There’s no need to worry about using up a batch of avocado dressing—there are multiple ways to incorporate it into your meals throughout the week. Use avocado dressing:

1. 1. On your favorite salad: Pair avocado dressing with heartier leaves like crispy romaine, chicories like radicchio, and kale, which won’t wilt as readily as the more delicate options, like spinach, mizuna, or arugula. (Alternatively, adjust the consistency of the dressing to suit the salad’s ingredients.)
2. 2. As a dip or drizzle: Serve avocado dressing with a rainbow-hued crudité platter, tortilla chips, or hot wings for dipping, or use it as a finishing sauce over roasted veggies, grilled seafood, tacos, or burrito bowls.
3. 3. On a sandwich: Combine avocado dressing with the usual sandwich condiments—mayonnaise and mustard—for an extra-rich lunchtime creation.

The best avocado dressing is smooth, silky, and not too thick. Here’s what to know.

1. 1. Use ripe avocados. Unripe avocados won’t break down properly when blended, remaining stringy, watery, and mildly bitter. A ripe avocado will still feel firm but give slightly when pressed with a finger. Here’s how to tell if an avocado is ripe.
2. 2. Add acidity. To balance the rich, creamy consistency of the avocado, make sure fresh lemon juice, fresh lime juice, or your choice of vinegar features prominently in the dressing. (Citrus juice will also help prevent discoloration by oxidation.)
3. 3. Use a food processor or blender. Blend the avocado with the rest of the ingredients in a high-speed blender or food processor for an extra-smooth dressing. (Mashing or whisking with a fork will result in a lumpy consistency.)