The Best Avocado Dressing Recipe For A Healthy Salad (2024)

Published: by Nisha Melvani, RDN · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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5-Minute Creamy Avocado Salad Dressing with heart-healthy, fiber-rich avocados. Oil-free, vegan, and healthy. This dressing tastes incredible. It's made with umami-loaded miso, tangy lemon juice, and fresh herbs.

this RECIPE

Avocados are rich in fiber, carotenoids, monounsaturated fats, and potassium.Avocado consumption has been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, especially when included as part of a balanced nutritious diet.

Plus, this dressing is rich in antioxidants from fresh herbs, as well as vitamin C from fresh lemon juice, and is salted with miso, which does not raise blood pressure in the same way salt does.

This oil-free dressing recipe was inspired by my 5-Minute Oil-Free Vegan Salad Dressing on this site, as well as this Everything Cashew Sauce.

Jump to:
  • 👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients
  • 🥑 Substitutions
  • 🥬 What should I use Avocado Dressing on?
  • 📖 How to Make Avocado Salad Dressing
  • ✔️ Expert Tips
  • 🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs
  • 🍽 Related Recipes
  • 🥗 Pairing
  • 👩🏽‍🍳 Made This Recipe?
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients

The Best Avocado Dressing Recipe For A Healthy Salad (2)
  • Avocado
  • Lemon juice
  • Melow or white miso
  • Ginger
  • Rice vinegar
  • Cilantro or fresh herbs
  • Maple syrup

See the recipe card for quantities.

🥑 Substitutions

  • Avocado - substitute with ¼ cup tahini or avocado oil
  • Cilantro - use parsley or fresh herbs you have on hand
  • Maple syrup - Use two soaked pitted Medjool dates instead. Soak them in boiled water for 15 minutes before blending.

For more healthy vegan salad dressings, visit my Vegan Dressing Recipes page.

🥬 What should I use Avocado Dressing on?

This dressing is very versatile. One of my favorite salads to pair with this dressing is this simple health slaw.

The Best Avocado Dressing Recipe For A Healthy Salad (3)
  • 1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas
  • 6 cups shredded red cabbage
  • 2 large carrots, grated
  • 4 scallions, thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro or fresh herbs (optional)
  • ¼ cup sesame seeds

📖 How to Make Avocado Salad Dressing

For the full recipe with quantities, scroll down to the bottom of the post. This is an overview.

The Best Avocado Dressing Recipe For A Healthy Salad (4)

Step 1. If you are making the Chickpea Salad with Avocado Dressing, roast the chickpeas on a large baking sheet in a single layer. Follow my 3-step oven or air fryer recipe for the best Crispy Roasted Chickpeas every time.

The Best Avocado Dressing Recipe For A Healthy Salad (5)

Step 2. Transfer the avocado, rice vinegar, lemon juice, miso, maple syrup, and ginger to the canister of a high-speed blender. Blend on high until smooth, adding more water and maple syrup until the desired taste and consistency. Serve over the desired salad or veggie bowl.

✔️ Expert Tips

  • If you own a high-speed blender, add the ginger to the canister without grating to save time.
  • To make one-half of the recipe, use a small blender.
  • Storage: Refrigerate leftover Avocado Salad Dressing in an airtight container for up to 2 to 3 days.

🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

Is oil-free dressing healthier?

According to the most recent research, the incidence of major cardiovascular events was lower among those assigned to a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts than among those assigned to a reduced-fat diet. There was no significant difference between these two groups. However, while olive oil may be a healthy source of fats, it is not as satiating as nuts and seeds which also contain fiber.
Avocados are packed with fiber and heart-healthy fats, making them a perfect oil substitute in dressings.

How do you stop avocado dressing from turning brown?

The lemon juice in this dressing helps to preserve its green color. It does not turn brown.

Why is my avocado dressing bitter?

Depending on the herbs you use, the avocado dressing may have a slightly bitter taste. Avoid bitter greens, or add more maple syrup to balance the flavors.

  • Curry Dressing (Paleo)
  • Best Chipotle Sauce Recipe
  • Everything Cashew Sauce
  • Best Oil-Free Vegan Salad Dressing Recipe

🥗 Pairing

  • Sweet Potato Tofu Bowl Recipe
  • Best-Tasting Kale Salad with Tahini Dressing
  • Easy Broccoli Salad With Oil-Free Tahini Dressing

👩🏽‍🍳 Made This Recipe?

Share your high-protein Avocado Salad Dressing creation with me onInstagram. It makes my day to see you recreate my recipes.

I would love it if you would ⭐️ rate this recipe and leave a comment. Thank you in advance.

📖 Recipe

The Best Avocado Dressing Recipe For A Healthy Salad (14)

Avocado Salad Dressing

Nisha Melvani

5-Minute Avocado Salad Dressing with heart-healthy, fiber-rich avocados. Oil-free, vegan, and healthy. This dressing tastes incredible.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 0 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Dressing

Cuisine Vegan

Servings 6 servings

Calories 130 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 medium avocados pitted, peeled, and quartered
  • ¼ cup rice vinegar
  • 1 medium lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon mellow miso (white miso)
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup or to taste
  • 2 teaspoons grated ginger (about 1-inch piece)
  • ½ cup water plus more as needed
  • ½ packed cup fresh herbs cilantro, parsley, or basil

Instructions

  • Transfer the avocado, rice vinegar, lemon juice, miso, maple syrup, and ginger to the canister of a high-speed blender.

  • Blend on high until smooth, adding more water and maple syrup until the desired taste and consistency.

  • Serve over the desired salad or veggie bowl.

Notes

    • If you own a high-speed blender, add the ginger to the canister without grating to save time.
    • To make one-half of the recipe, use a small blender.
    • Storage: Refrigerate leftover Avocado Salad Dressing in an airtight container for up to 2 to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 130kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Sodium: 112mg | Potassium: 367mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 111IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg

This information is provided as a courtesy and is an ESTIMATE only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased can change the nutritional information in any given recipe.

Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

Healthy Dressing Recipes

  • Easy Carrot Ginger Dressing
  • Thai Salad Dressing
  • Anti-Inflammatory Salad Dressing
  • Easy Miso Tahini Dressing

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The Best Avocado Dressing Recipe For A Healthy Salad (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest dressing to put on your salad? ›

Oil and vinegar.

“This is a great option, because it won't have any added sugar or salt,” says Allers. “But the type of oil is important. Opt for olive or avocado oil over an alternative like canola or soybean oil.” These healthy oils are packed with antioxidants, and can even help lower cholesterol.

What is avocado dressing made of? ›

Creamy Avocado Dressing:

1/2 cup ripe avocado (smush into cup to measure, or estimate - 1/2 medium avo) 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil. 3 tbsp sour cream or yogurt (Greek or plain, unsweetened) - OPTIONAL (Note 1) 2 tbsp lemon juice.

How do you keep avocado dressing from turning brown? ›

Storage: Place it in an airtight container, cover the top of the dressing with a sheet of plastic wrap (to prevent oxidizing and turning brown) and tighten the lid before placing in the fridge.

Is avocado oil healthy for salads? ›

Therefore, adding avocado oil to a salad, marinade, or other dish may help your body absorb more nutrients. There is good reason to include a healthy fat source like avocado oil when eating vegetables, as it may increase the absorption of carotenoid antioxidants up to 17-fold.

What should you avoid when dressing a salad? ›

5 Ingredients To Avoid
  1. Palm Oil. Palm oil can pop up in both creamy and oily dressings, and it's a top ingredient that Taub-Dix said to avoid. ...
  2. Sugar (but it's rarely called sugar) ...
  3. Salt. ...
  4. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) ...
  5. Coconut oil.
Jan 24, 2024

Is avocado salad good for you? ›

Avocado is high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, and calories. Drowning your salads in avocado might make them tastier and add healthy fats, but moderation is key. While avocados are nutritious, consuming them excessively can lead to consuming too many calories.

Is homemade avocado mayo healthy? ›

To recap, mayonnaise made from healthy oils like avocado oil and olive oil are a great healthy fat source to add to meals and snacks that need a creamy texture.

Why is my avocado dressing bitter? ›

Depending on the herbs you used the avocado dressing may have a slightly bitter taste. You can always balance that with 1-2 teaspoons of sweetener. Also, if using cilantro make sure to only use the leaves as the stems are what impart that more bitter flavor.

How do Mexican restaurants keep guacamole from turning brown? ›

Pour a thin but visible layer of water or lemon/lime juice over the guacamole to form a barrier with the air. Cover the dish with plastic wrap, pushing the wrap, so it is flush with the guacamole to prevent air pockets, or put the guacamole in a sealed tub.

How do restaurants keep avocado green? ›

Coat with lemon or lime juice

Due to the citric acid, the browning process is significantly slowed. This is one of the more common, well-known methods for preserving cut avocados, but there's more where that came from.

Can I eat avocado salad everyday? ›

The bottom line? “Avocado could be part of your daily diet as long as you're including a variety of colors, textures and kinds of food,” Cucuzza concludes.

When not to use avocado oil? ›

If it smells stale or "sort of like play dough," according to researchers, it's no good. Another thing to look for is if the color or texture has changed at all since opening. Even pure avocado oil will go bad around six months after opening, especially if it isn't stored correctly.

Which is healthier, avocado or olive oil? ›

Both olive oil and avocado oil are considered good fats and are an excellent source of monounsaturated fatty acids, which can help improve heart health. On the other hand, olive oil is slightly more nutritious on the whole because it contains more potassium, calcium, iron and vitamins.

Is it healthy to put dressing on salad? ›

Salad dressing

Many salad dressings can be high in fat, sodium and sugar. Cream-based dressings can be particularly high in saturated fats. How to make it healthier? Use salad dressing in moderation and try to stick to oil- or vinegar-based dressings.

What is the most unhealthy salad dressing? ›

Caesar dressing. Made up of mayonnaise, cheese, salt and oil (and all too often, anchovies), Caesar tends to be one of the least healthy options out there. Those ingredients cause it to be high in both saturated fats and sodium.

Is it better to eat salad with dressing or no salad at all? ›

Adding dressing, condiments, or cheese will not remove vegetable nutrients. Adding those extra ingredients to your vegetables will not give them less fiber or less vitamins. By adding cheese to your vegetables, you'll add some protein to it, which will help make them more satisfying.

Is ranch or caesar dressing healthier? ›

Which dressing is better for me? What did I learn? Well, ranch has more calories, but caesar has more sodium and sugar.

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