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A Healthy Avocado Lime Dressing That Takes 5 Minutes to Make
This avocado lime dressing only takes 5 minutes of Instagram scrolling to make.
No, scrolling through Instagram doesn’t actually produce this delicious avocado, cilantro, and lime dressing. I’m sure they’re working on that functionality though.
But, you can produce this recipe by repurposing 5 minutes of your Instagram (or social media of choice) time.
So, you have a choice to make.
This summer dressing is the healthier option. You’ll want to put it on everything because it makes you feel like you’re at the beach with a Mojito in your hand. And it’s packed with healthy ingredients.
Avocado lends itself well to sauces, dips, and dressings because it gets creamy when processed (think guacamole). And this avocado lime dressing is no different.
Just toss all the ingredients in a food processor or blender and you’ll have a creamy, citrusy, and refreshing homemade dressing.
I love to use this easy avocado lime dressing on salads, fruit, grains and root vegetables. It adds healthy fats and fiber that make you feel more full.
So, the choice is yours: this avocado lime dressing or checking your feed.
How is This Avocado Lime Dressing Healthy?
I love this dressing for its health benefits. It makes me feel refreshed and energized. It is filling without being heavy.
Avocados are a health and fitness friendly fruit. According to Cedars-Sinai Academic Medical Center, avocados are packed with fiber, healthy fats, and a long list of nutrients like Folate, Magnesium, Potassium, Vitamins B2, B3, B5, B6, C, E, and K.
Like you, I don’t like feeling hungry. So, I love this other characteristic of avocados:
Avocados make you feel full.
How Long Does this Avocado Lime Dressing Keep?
This dressing will last covered in the refrigerator for 1 week.
When fresh aromatics such as garlic, onion, or shallots are added to a sauce, the shelf life reduces.
As a rule of thumb, if a dressing doesn’t use any fresh ingredients then it should last close to a month. If it does, it will last closer to a week.
For example, this balsamic vinaigrette uses just oil and vinegar. I don’t use it quite as much, so I want it to last longer. It will last about a month.
How Should I Store this Avocado Lime Dressing for Meal Prep?
This sauce is great for pulling out of the refrigerator at a moments notice. Here are some options for containers to make and store this sauce in.
Call me old-fashioned, but mason jars are what I use for making all meal prep dressings like this one. They are easily sealed and have measurements on them for easy mixing. These 16 oz. jars are the best size for dressings. They are big enough for a one or two week batch, but small enough to easily fit inside of your refrigerator door.
For an equally classic option, check out these Weck jars.
How Can I Quickly Ripen an Avocado?
So, you want to make this dressing tomorrow.
You go to the grocery store and make a bee line for the avocados. But, they’re all green, hard, and not ready to use yet.
Well, your plan isn’t totally ruined.
Use this trick: Put your unripened avocado in a brown paper bag with a banana or apple and fold it closed. Bananas, apples, and the avocados themselves give off ethylene gas which causes the fruit to ripen.
What If I Don’t Have a Food Processor or Blender?
If you don’t have a processor or blender, you can definitely still make this!
Put the avocado in a bowl and mash it up with a fork. Make sure your avocado is plenty ripe and soft for this method. Finely chop the cilantro, grate the garlic, and add it to the bowl with the rest of the ingredients. Mix well.
What Kind of Food Processor or Blender Should I Use?
I think most kitchen “gadgets” are unnecessary. But, food processors and blenders definitely have their place in a home cook’s kitchen.
Do you make or want to make smoothies, soups, dressings, purees, and/or nut butters?
If you do, then you’ll most likely need a blender. Blenders combine liquid ingredients and softer solids into a smooth and uniform emulsion. The function of a blender is one of the only things that can’t be replicated without an appliance.
Here is a list of the Best Blenders for Every Budget
I use this 8-cup food processor and it has served me well for years. It’s just big enough for sauces, hummus, and dips for a household of two. But you’ll have zero limitations with this 14-cup one.
What Can I Use This Dressing On?
This avocado dressing is perfect for adding brightness, richness, and healthiness to a dish. Here are a few ideas to make a meal out of this vinaigrette.
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Chicken – Serve on the side of this buttermilk roasted chicken for a tasty avocado chicken main dish.
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Egg Sandwiches or Wraps – Scramble some eggs and top with this dressing. Put it on some toast, tortillas, or wraps for a healthy sandwich.
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Tacos – Use this dressing in place of guacamole on tacos and tortilla chips.
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Sweet Potatoes – Top these roasted sweet potatoes with this dressing for a bright and delicious summer side dish.
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Beets – Top these roasted beets to make a delicious avocado beet salad. Top it off with a handful or two of light greens like arugula, spinach, or herbs to up the healthiness.
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Sandwiches – This is a great condiment on your sandwiches.
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Salad – Use this on your favorite salads. Add water 1 Tbsp. at a time to the recipe below for a thinner dressing.
Let’s Talk About Ingredients
A dish is the expression of its ingredients. The better the ingredients, the more delicious the dish. Here’s how to use the best for this recipe.
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Avocado – Ripe avocados are slightly soft, but not mushy. When you press or squeeze on it, it should give a little bit.
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Lime – Choose heavy, green limes that have a little bit of give when gentry squeezed. This softness indicates that the limes are juicy. But not too soft, or that means it is overripe.
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Cilantro – Cilantro is a spring herb that you can grow yourself in a pot or garden. If purchasing fresh cilantro from the grocery store, look for a bunch that is bright green with no spots, shriveled leaves, or drooping stems..
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Garlic – When picking garlic, choose a bulb that is heavy and firm with tight skin. It shouldn’t have any soft spots.
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Olive Oil – Extra virgin is best. This oil from California Olive Ranch offers the best price, taste, and availability combination. It is what I use every day.
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Kosher Salt – Diamond Crystal kosher salt was used for this recipe and all other recipes on this site. Use this conversion table from The Spruce Eats if you only have another type of salt.
Want More Dressings? Check These Out.
Tasty sauces and dressings are a secret weapon for any cook. They can turn a dish from average to delicious in a matter of seconds.
Top off a dish with one of these delicious recipes and it will taste better:
Avocado, Cilantro, and Lime Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 Avocado
- 1 lime, juice only
- 1/2 cup lightly packed cilantro
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1-3 Tbsp. water
Instructions
- Add avocado, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, olive oil, and kosher salt to a food processor or blender. Puree for about 20 seconds. Add 1 Tbsp. water. Pulse to combine. If needed, add water 1 Tbsp. at a time until you reach desired consistency. Store covered in refrigerator for up to a week.
Nutrition
Ready to Make this Creamy Avocado Lime Dressing?
This dressing is too good to not carve out 5 minutes of your day to make.
The next time I make it, I think I’ll hold pack a bit of the water so it is nice and thick. Then I’ll use it as a dipping sauce for sweet potatoes.
Now, that’s my kind of summer snack.
I’ll also make this dressing in my blender for added smoothness. I used to use my food processor for most dressings and dips. But, after read through a few recent cookbooks, I started using my blender more.
I’m going to be ready to invest in a new one soon. So, I wrote all about the best ones to buy in this post on the best blenders for every budget.