About The Recipe
Make this easy creamy avocado cilantro dressing recipe in five minutes with avocado, fresh cilantro, lemon, honey, and olive oil.
Fresh, vibrant, and ready in minutes, this Easy Creamy Avocado Cilantro Dressing Recipe in 5 Minutes is a flavorful homemade alternative to bottled salad dressing. Ripe avocado creates a smooth, velvety texture, while fresh cilantro adds a bright herbal flavor.
Lemon juice, white wine vinegar, honey, and extra virgin olive oil give the dressing a balanced combination of tanginess, sweetness, and richness. Everything comes together quickly in a blender or food processor, making this an easy condiment for busy weekdays and last-minute meals.
This versatile avocado cilantro dressing is naturally dairy-free and gluten-free. Drizzle it over salads, tacos, grain bowls, roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, steak, shrimp, salmon, or other fish. It also makes a delicious dip for fresh vegetables and sweet potato fries or a creamy spread for sandwiches and wraps.
The consistency is easy to customize. Keep the dressing thick for dipping and spreading, or blend in a little water to create a smooth, pourable salad dressing.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: About 1 1/2 cups
Ingredients
1 ripe avocado
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon honey
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 to 3 tablespoons water, if needed
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Wash the cilantro thoroughly and pat it dry. Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, and scoop the flesh into a blender or food processor.
Step 2: Blend the Flavor Base
Add the avocado, cilantro, white wine vinegar, lemon juice, honey, kosher salt, and black pepper to the blender. Blend on high speed for 30 to 60 seconds,
scraping down the sides as needed, until the mixture is completely smooth.
Step 3: Emulsify the Dressing
Reduce the blender to low speed. Slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil while continuing to blend. Adding the oil gradually helps create a silky, creamy emulsion. Continue blending until the dressing is thick, glossy, and smooth.
Step 4: Adjust the Consistency
Blend in the water 1 tablespoon at a time until the dressing reaches your desired consistency. Use less water for a thick dip or sandwich spread and more water for a pourable salad dressing.
Step 5: Taste and Adjust
Taste the dressing and adjust it as desired. Add a little more honey for sweetness, another squeeze of lemon juice for brightness, or a small pinch of salt to enhance the other flavors.
Step 6: Serve
Serve the dressing immediately over salads, tacos, grain bowls, roasted vegetables, grilled meats, shrimp, salmon, or fish tacos. It may also be served as a vegetable dip or used as a creamy spread for burgers, wraps, and sandwiches.
Notes
Choose a ripe avocado that gives slightly when gently pressed. An underripe avocado will be difficult to blend and may produce a dressing with less flavor.
Both cilantro leaves and tender stems can be used. The tender stems contain plenty of flavor and blend smoothly into the dressing.
Fresh lime juice may replace the lemon juice for a cilantro-lime variation. A combination of lemon and lime juice also works well.
For additional flavor, blend in a small garlic clove, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, a pinch of smoked paprika, or a small piece of fresh jalapeño.
Greek yogurt may be added for an even creamier dressing if dairy is not a concern. Prepare the recipe as written to keep it dairy-free.
If the dressing thickens after refrigeration, stir or blend in 1 to 2 teaspoons of water or lemon juice until it becomes smooth and pourable again.
Avocado naturally oxidizes, so this dressing is freshest on the day it is prepared. Store leftovers in an airtight container with food-safe wrap pressed directly against the surface to help minimize browning. Refrigerate for up to 2 days and stir well before serving.
This dressing may also be used as a marinade for chicken or shrimp. Reserve a separate portion for serving before adding raw meat or seafood. Marinate the chicken or shrimp for 30 minutes in the refrigerator and discard any dressing that has touched raw protein.
This recipe is naturally gluten-free. When serving someone with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, check all packaged ingredients for appropriate gluten-free labeling and prevent cross-contact during preparation.
