This quick 5-minute Healthy Avocado Cilantro Lime Dressing brings bright, creamy flavor to salads, grain bowls, and more. It’s dairy-free, gluten-free, paleo-friendly, keto-compatible, heart-healthy, and Whole30-approved.
You’ll love how effortless and versatile this Avocado Cilantro Lime Dressing is — creamy, fresh, and ideal for more than just greens.
It’s become a staple in our kitchen. Use it on grilled meats, Mexican-inspired dishes, brown rice or quinoa bowls, or anywhere you want a bright, creamy finish.
This dressing is an easy way to add flavor to healthy meals like shrimp salad or pasta salad without adding dairy or excess sugar.
Why This Dressing Is Healthy
- Cilantro is a nutrient-rich herb with antioxidants, essential oils, vitamins, and fiber that contribute to overall health and may help support healthy cholesterol levels.
- Avocado is a nutrient-dense fruit packed with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and fiber, making this dressing a good source of nourishing fats.
Together, avocado and cilantro make a flavorful, nutritious base for a wholesome dressing.
Ingredient Notes
You only need six simple ingredients:
- Avocado oil — preferred here for a light flavor and smooth texture.
- One fresh ripe avocado — peeled and pitted.
- Fresh cilantro — washed; the leaves and tender stems blend well.
- Fresh garlic — one clove for a mild bite.
- Lime juice — adds brightness and helps prevent browning.
- Salt — to taste, sea salt recommended.
Variations
Try these simple swaps to change the flavor or texture:
- Creamy Greek Yogurt Lime Dressing — add 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt for a tangier, ranch-like dressing that’s great for dipping.
- Spicy Avocado Lime Dressing — add a fresh jalapeño (seeded for less heat) before blending to give it a kick.
How to Make Avocado Cilantro Lime Dressing (No Yogurt)
This dressing comes together in about five minutes with minimal equipment. Use an immersion blender and a tall container or a small food processor for the smoothest texture.
If you use an immersion blender, you can blend everything directly in a jar or container with a lid. A mini food processor works well too.
- Place all ingredients in a container and blend with an immersion blender until smooth, or process in a small food processor until creamy.
- Store in an airtight container, such as a mason jar, in the refrigerator for up to one week.
PRO TIP: You don’t need to remove cilantro leaves from the stems — blend them all for convenience.
PRO TIP: Lime juice helps keep the avocado from browning and brightens the flavor.
Ways to Use the Dressing
This dressing works wonderfully on a Cilantro Lime Shrimp Salad, chicken lettuce wraps, Thai-inspired quinoa bowls, and more.
Other serving ideas:
- Drizzled over baked potatoes
- On kale or mixed green salads
- With grilled chicken or seafood
- As a dip for raw vegetables
- Topped on black bean bowls or roasted vegetables
- As a sauce for burritos, tostadas, or grain bowls
Healthy Avocado Dressing is a flavorful, multipurpose sauce. Try it as a finishing drizzle or dipping sauce and see how it elevates everyday meals.
Recipe FAQs
Avocado oil is recommended because it keeps the dressing light and doesn’t solidify in the refrigerator the way some oils can. Olive oil also works for a different flavor profile.
Store the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about one week.
Yes — the base recipe is vegan, dairy-free, and soy-free. Adding Greek yogurt would make a non-vegan variation.
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Avocado Cilantro Lime Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup avocado oil
- 1 small avocado
- 1/2 cup cilantro, washed
- 1 clove garlic
- juice of one lime
- salt to taste
Equipment
- immersion blender
- container or small food processor
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a container and blend with an immersion blender until smooth, or process in a small food processor until creamy.
- Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to one week.
Notes
There’s no need to remove cilantro leaves from the stems; blend them all.
Creamy Greek Yogurt Lime Dressing — add 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt with the other ingredients for a tangier, dip-friendly version.
Nutritional information is approximate and will vary by brands and preparation methods.
Great as a sauce for meat, seafood, or grain bowls.
This recipe was originally published in 2017 and was updated with additional instructions and video on April 28, 2020.