Creamy Avocado Salad Dressing – Simply Scratch

Five minutes is all you need to whip up the Creamy Avocado Dressing! Delicious, healthy and perfect on your favorite salad!

I’m always looking for a new way to dress my salad. I LOVE making my own salad dressings and I just went back to the archives and counted about 50+ different salad dressings. Obsessed much?

Usually when I have salad I tend to take the ranch route because I love the way it clings to the lettuce leaves. And also because, well it’s ranch and ranch dressing is just plain awesome. The downside is that it isn’t so easy to whip up from scratch on a whim. However, since I’ve been consuming my weight in avocados lately I wanted to make a salad dressing out of a lonely ripe avocado that only had a day or so left before it became too soft, and eventually inedible.

Got five minutes? Then I suggest you make this healthy and lusciously creamy avocado salad dressing for sure!

To make This Creamy Avocado Dressing you will need:

• avocado – Use 1 large or 2 smaller avocados.
• garlic – Use 1 to 2 cloves depending on preference.
• lime juice – Freshly squeezed is best.
• avocado oil – Or use extra light olive oil.
• kosher salt – Start with 1/2 teaspoon and adjust to preference.
• freshly ground black pepper – Adds distinct bite and flavor.

How to get Ripe Avocados to LAST:

The trick to storing ripe avocados so they last is a no-brainer, it’s easy and effective and has saved me SO much money. First buy hard to the touch, bright green avocados and allow them to ripen on the counter. Once they are black, soft to the touch (NOT squishy) pop them into the fridge. Here is where they will last for quite a few days! You guys this has changed my life and I owe this trick to my sisters. No more wasted avocados!

Start by scooping out the flesh of 1 large avocado and add it to your mini food processor with 1 to 2 cloves peeled garlic, 1/2 a lime (juiced), 2 tablespoons avocado or olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon. salt and pepper to taste.

Alternatively, if you don’t have lime juice, lemon may be substituted.

Having a mini food processor will help make this whole process easier. I use mine ALL the time and it’s one essential kitchen appliance I highly suggest owning. They’re fairly cheap and great for small batch recipes like this one.

Next, secure the lid and puree until smooth. Also, make sure to scrape down the sides as you go.

Thin out dressing:

Lastly, if you want thinner dressing, pour in a little water at a time to thin it out to a desired consistency, I like to add 1/4 cup.

Finally add this dressing to your favorite leafy green salad or substitute it for mayo in a chicken salad! You could also eat it with tortilla chips or even a spoon. With that said, this may be the best creamy avocado salad dressing ever!

Enjoy! And if you give this Creamy Avocado Salad Dressing recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!

This recipe was originally posted on April 14, 2014 and has been updated with clear and concise instructions, new photography and helpful information.