Creamy Avocado Lime Dressing (Print version)

Velvety avocado and lime blended with herbs for a fresh, creamy complement to salads and bowls.

# Ingredient List:

→ Produce

01 - 1 ripe avocado, halved and pitted
02 - 1 clove garlic, peeled
03 - 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro
04 - 2 tablespoons chopped green onion (optional)

→ Liquids

05 - 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
06 - 1/4 cup water, plus additional as needed for thinning
07 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

→ Seasonings

08 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Scoop the avocado flesh into a blender or food processor.
02 - Add garlic, cilantro, green onion (if using), lime juice, water, olive oil, salt, pepper, and cumin to the blender.
03 - Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed.
04 - Add additional water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the desired pourable thickness is achieved.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning as required.
06 - Transfer to a jar or serving bowl and use immediately, or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under ten minutes—honestly, faster than waiting for water to boil, which means you can make it on even your busiest days
  • One avocado transforms into enough creamy goodness to dress a salad for four people, making it ridiculously economical compared to bottled dressings
  • It's naturally vegan and dairy-free, but tastes so rich and indulgent that no one will feel like they're missing anything
  • Fresh lime and cilantro give it a brightness that makes even sad desk salads taste genuinely delicious
02 -
  • Avocado flesh oxidizes and browns when exposed to air, but fresh lime juice slows this process dramatically. The citric acid acts like a natural preservative, which is why lime juice is essential here, not optional.
  • The temperature of your ingredients matters more than you'd think—a cold avocado and cold water will create a thicker, more luxurious dressing than room temperature ingredients, which blend into something thinner and less satisfying.
  • One tiny piece of jalapeño or a whisper of cayenne pepper transforms this from a gentle, fresh dressing into something with a subtle warm kick that makes people lean in and ask what's different. Sometimes the smallest additions create the biggest surprises.
03 -
  • Freeze lime juice in ice cube trays when you have extra limes; they thaw in seconds and are perfect for this dressing when you don't have fresh limes on hand
  • If your avocado is slightly underripe, let it rest on the counter for a few hours before making this dressing—a softer avocado blends into a silkier, more cohesive sauce
  • For the creamiest possible dressing, use very cold water straight from the refrigerator; cold water and cold ingredients create a more luxurious emulsion

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