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This vibrant creamy Avocado Dressing recipe will instantly elevate your salads, sandwiches, and grain bowls! Made with perfectly ripe avocado, fresh basil, toasted pumpkin seeds, fragrant garlic, and zesty lemon juice, it is a dreamy blend of savory, slightly tangy flavors that will excite your taste buds. It comes together quickly in a food processor for easy preparation and cleanup!
Whether you need an easy and delicious dressing for a simple green salad or a garnish for a gourmet dish, this luscious homemade avocado dressing is your go-to solution for adding a burst of flavor and creaminess to any meal! Buttery avocado is blended with fragrant basil leaves, toasted pumpkin seeds, a hint of garlic, fresh lemon juice, and olive oil, seasoned with black pepper and sea salt. The combination of simple ingredients is packed with bright flavors and an irresistibly rich texture.
This versatile and healthy avocado dressing shines as a salad topper, sandwich spread, or spooned over grain bowls or tacos. It is also delicious tossed with grilled veggies or served as a dip alongside raw veggies, pita bread, or crackers. No matter how you serve it, creamy avocado dressing adds an exciting dose of freshness to every bite!
For more tasty plant-based dressing recipes, try my Vegan Caesar Dressing, Watermelon & Peach Salad with Lime Vinaigrette, or Herbes de Provence Salad Dressing.
Ingredients
Avocado: Choose a ripe avocado that yields slightly to gentle pressure. Ripe avocados provide a creamy base for the dressing and are abundant in healthy fats. Opt for hass avocados for their rich flavor or smooth consistency.
Basil Leaves: Fresh basil adds a sweet, aromatic flavor with peppery undertones to the avocado salad dressing. Look for bright green, fragrant leaves for the best flavor. Alternatively, substitute for Thai basil or flat-leaf parsley for a different flavor profile.
Toasted Pumpkin Seeds: Toast raw pumpkin seeds lightly in a dry skillet until golden brown to enhance the nutty flavor, or purchase pre-toasted seeds for convenience. You can also use toasted pine nuts for a similar texture and a buttery, rich taste.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic cloves add a fragrant, savory flavor to the healthy avocado salad dressing. If needed, use pre-minced garlic for easier prep or roast the garlic for a milder, sweeter flavor note.
Fresh Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a bright tangy flavor compared to store-bought lemon juice. Roll the lemon on a hard surface before cutting to extract more juice. For a brighter, more tropical finish, substitute lime juice.
Olive Oil: For the best taste and texture in the creamy avocado dressing, choose cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil. It acts as a binder to create a smooth texture. Alternatively, substitute with avocado oil or another neutral-tasting oil.
Sea Salt: Opt for fine sea salt or substitute the same amount of Himalayan pink salt or Kosher salt. Adjust the amount to taste.
Black Pepper: For the most robust flavor, use a pepper mill to freshly grind black peppercorns. Preground pepper also works well for easier prep. For a milder taste, swap with ground white pepper.
How to Make Avocado Dressing
- Prepare Ingredients. Add the pitted avocado, basil leaves, pumpkin seeds, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper to the bowl of a food processor.
- Blend. Blend all ingredients until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed until the ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Adjust to taste. If desired, add water or more oil to thin the dressing or season to taste with more salt and pepper.
Recipe Pro-Tips
- Use quality ingredients. The key to the best avocado salad dressing recipe is using high-quality ingredients. Choose a ripe avocado, fresh basil, fresh lemon juice, and a good brand of olive oil for the best results.
- Adjust dressing consistency. If the dressing seems too thick after blending, gradually add water or more olive oil, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
- Season to taste. Start with the recommended amount of salt, pepper, and lemon juice and adjust to taste as needed.
- Blend well. Use a food processor to blend all ingredients for a smooth, homogenous dressing. Scrape down the sides of the food processor as needed to fully incorporate the ingredients.
- Add a garnish. For extra presentation and flavor, sprinkle the top of this easy avocado dressing with extra toasted seeds, chopped fresh basil, or lemon zest
Recipe Variations
Below are optional variations to customize as you please, creating your favorite avocado dressing recipes:
- Extra Creamy: Add 2-4 tablespoons of plain vegan yogurt to taste to add extra creaminess.
- Tangy: Add a splash of apple cider vinegar for an elevated tangy flavor.
- Spicy: Add 1 teaspoon of sriracha, a small chopped and seeded jalapeño, or cayenne pepper to taste for some heat.
- Herbs: Swap the basil for cilantro for a flavor variation or use a combination of herbs such as parsley, dill, and chives.
- Nutty: Add 2 tablespoons of tahini for a richer, nutty flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy this avocado dressing for salad tossed with a simple green salad for a light lunch or dinner appetizer, or serve as a garnish atop grain bowls, sandwiches, soups, wraps, or tacos like some of our favorite recipes below!
Storage Directions
Transfer leftover avocado dressing to an airtight container. To help prevent browning, place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the dressing before sealing the container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir well before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
I highly recommend using fresh basil for the best flavor and texture in the dressing. Dried basil will not provide the same vibrant taste and can alter the dressing’s texture. If you don’t have fresh basil, swap it for another fresh green herb like flat-leaf parsley, baby dill, or chives. Even spinach will work.
If you don’t have a food processor, use a high-speed blender. Scrape down the sides of the blender as you go to fully incorporate the ingredients. In a pinch, you can mash the avocado by hand and finely chop the other ingredients, then whisk everything together. However, this will likely create a less smooth, blended texture.
Yes! This dressing makes an excellent marinade for tofu, tempeh, or vegetables. Marinate for at least 30 minutes before enjoying for the best flavor.
More Avocado-Based Recipes
- Wild Mushroom Avocado Toast
- Refreshing Cucumber & Avocado Salad
- Avocado Pesto Pasta
- Avocado Pineapple Popsicles
- Mango Avocado Salad
Recipe Card
Avocado Dressing
Equipment
- 1 food processor I use this one
Ingredients
- 1 ripe avocado, pitted
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish
- ¼ cup toasted pumpkin seeds, or pine nuts
- 1-2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, or 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp sea salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Add the pitted avocado, basil leaves, pumpkin seeds, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper to the bowl of a food processor. Blend until creamy.
- If desired, add water or more oil to thin the dressing or season to taste with more salt.
Notes
- Use quality ingredients. The key to the best avocado salad dressing recipe is using high-quality ingredients. Choose a ripe avocado, fresh basil, fresh lemon juice, and a good brand of olive oil for the best results.
- Adjust dressing consistency. If the dressing seems too thick after blending, gradually add water or more olive oil, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
- Season to taste. Start with the recommended amount of salt, pepper, and lemon juice and adjust to taste as needed.
- Blend well. Use a food processor to blend all ingredients for a smooth, homogenous dressing. Scrape down the sides of the food processor as needed to fully incorporate the ingredients.
- Add a garnish. For extra presentation and flavor, sprinkle the top of this easy avocado dressing with extra toasted seeds, chopped fresh basil, or lemon zest.
