Avocado Lime Salad Dressing Recipe

By
Elaine Lemm
Elaine Lemm
Elaine Lemm
Elaine Lemm is a renowned British food writer, classically trained chef, teacher, and author with over 25 years of experience writing about British food and cooking.
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Updated on 05/26/22
Avocado Lime Dressing

 Elaine Lemm

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 10 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Yield: 1/2 to 3/4 cups

Avocado provides a rich, creamy, nutrient-filled based for this easy and satisfying salad dressing. We like to make it in the salad bowl we're going to toss the eventual salad in for minimal cleanup, but it stores for a few days in a well-sealed jar or covered ramekin if you want to make it ahead.

The ground cumin adds an earthy balance to the rich avocado and bright lime juice, but if you're not a fan of cumin, feel free to leave it out.

Use the best olive oil you can in this dressing, cheaper non-virgin oils can often taint nearby flavors and not for the better.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 teaspoon minced shallot, or garlic

  • 1 to 2 tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed

  • 1 medium avocado, or 1/2 large

  • 2 to 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, or avocado oil

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

  • Fine sea salt, to taste

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    avocado lime dressing
    Elaine Lemm 

  2. Place the minced shallot (or garlic) in a large salad bowl and add the lime juice.

    Avocado dressing
     Elaine Lemm

  3. Cut the avocado in half lengthwise, cutting into the avocado until you hit the pit, and cut around, not going through the pit. Twist the 2 halves to pop the avocado apart. Scoop out the flesh from one side into a large salad bowl. If it's a large avocado, tightly wrap up with other half, with the pit still in it, and reserve it for another use. If it's a small or medium avocado, remove the pit from the second half and scoop that flesh into the bowl, too.

    Avocado dressing
     Elaine Lemm

  4. Using a fork, mash the avocado until as smooth as possible.

    Avocado Lime Dressing
     Elaine Lemm

  5. Whisk in the oil to create a shiny, thick and creamy dressing.

    Avocado dressing
     Elaine Lemm

  6. Stir in the ground cumin. Add salt to taste (don't hold back here, avocado shines best when properly seasoned).

    Finished avocado dressing
     Elaine Lemm

  7. Serve the dressing with your favorite salad.

What goes best with avocado dressing?

It's perfect on romaine lettuce, other super crisp greens, or even on cabbage in more of a slaw situation since it is physically heavy. It's rich flavor also stands up nicely to pungent additions like slivered red onion, or super crispy, crunchy vegetables like radishes and fennel. A crumble of cotija cheese is a nice addition when using this dressing, too.

Tip

  • If you want some really amazing flavor, grind your own cumin seeds, toasting them first: Put about 1 teaspoon cumin seeds in a small frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring or shaking frequently, until the cumin smells nice and toasty. Transfer the cumin to a plate or other vessel where the seeds can cool in more or less a single layer so they cool off quickly and don't keep toasting too much. Grind in a mortar and pestle, spice grinder, or clean coffee grinder.

Recipe Variation

  • Undoubtedly, the cumin used in this avocado and lime dressing works well bringing earthy undertones. Remove the cumin is you don't much care for it and replace with ground cilantro, or another favorite ground spice.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
115 Calories
12g Fat
3g Carbs
1g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 115
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 12g 15%
Saturated Fat 2g 8%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 100mg 4%
Total Carbohydrate 3g 1%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 5mg 25%
Calcium 7mg 1%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 173mg 4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)