Creamy Avocado Green Goddess Dressing (oil-free)

Ingredients

(You can find the exact measurements and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this page.)

• Avocado: The main ingredient of the recipe, ensure that it is fresh and ripe. 
• Fresh garlic cloves
• ​Leafy herbs
  • Fresh parsley, mint and basil. You don’t have to limit yourself to these.
  • Try adding dill, mint, cilantro, tarragon or whatever herb you have for a unique twist.
• Lemon juice and zest for a burst of citrus.
• Jalapeños add a spicy kick to the dressing.
• Greek Yogurt replaces sour cream for a creamy and tangy experience. (Similar to my potato salad dressing.)
• Seasoning: Black pepper and sea salt.

How to check if an avocado is ripe

1. The Gentle Squeeze:

• Hold the avocado in your palm and gently squeeze it all around.
• A ripe avocado will yield to firm, gentle pressure without leaving indentations.
• If it’s rock hard, it needs more time to ripen.
• If it feels mushy, it’s overripe and should be used immediately or discarded.

2. The Stem Check:

• Gently locate the small stem at the top of the avocado.
• Try to pop it off with your thumb.
• A ripe avocado will have a stem that pops off easily, revealing green beneath.
• If the stem comes off but shows brown underneath, the avocado is overripe.
• If the stem is firmly attached and doesn’t budge, the avocado needs more time to ripen.

3. The Color Test:

• While color can be a helpful indicator, it’s not the most reliable method.
• Ripe avocados typically have a dark green or even nearly black skin.
• However, some varieties may be lighter green even when ripe.
• Look for variations in color, like patches of black or brown, which indicate ripeness.
• Avoid avocados with bright green, smooth skin, as they are likely unripe.

How to make avocado green goddess dressing: Step by step

​Chop

Mince the garlic cloves. Roughly chop the jalapeños and herbs.

Place the minced garlic, chopped jalapeños and herbs, lemon juice and zest, Greek yogurt, sea salt and black pepper in a food processor.

Blend

Blend the ingredients until the herbs are broken down into tiny pieces and you get a coarse texture.

Add peeled and halved avocados with ¼ cup of water.

Blend, adding a little water at a time until you get the desired consistency.

Serve

Serve as a creamy salad dressing, dipping sauce or sandwich spread. The options are limitless!

Storage and making ahead tips

Refrigerate: This homemade dressing can be stored in the refrigerator for a week. Store in a clean and dry airtight container or jar.

Freeze: If you want to store the dressing longer, freeze it. It keeps in the freezer for about a month. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator when you’re ready to use. If the sauce separates, whisk or pulse in the processor to make it smooth again.

Variations

• Vegan green goddess dressing: Skip the yogurt for a dairy-free version. In that case, you can add a few cashews and an extra teaspoon of lemon juice.
• Roasted garlic: Try replacing raw garlic with roasted ones for some smoky flavor. Use this method to roast garlic. roasting just the garlic is not a very efficient use of your time and the oven. You can roast and refrigerate garlic whenever you cook something in the oven like baked chicken breasts or veggies like roasted Brussels sprouts and carrots.
• Fresh lime juice can be used instead of lemon juice.

Why you’ll love this spicy avocado dressing

1. Creamy and Delicious: This magic green sauce is a healthy and delicious way to take your meals to the next level. Ditch the store-bought dressings that are often heavy and greasy. This oil-free version uses avocado to create a rich and creamy texture that is amazing without the added fat.

2. Packed with Flavor: Bursting with fresh herbs and a touch of garlic, this dressing adds a vibrant and flavorful punch to any dish. The lemon juice provides a refreshing tang, while the avocado adds a subtle earthiness.

3. Healthy and Nutrient-Rich: Made with whole, unprocessed ingredients, this dressing is packed with nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Avocados are a good source of heart-healthy fats, while the herbs are loaded with antioxidants.

4. Versatile: This healthy green goddess dressing can be used in countless ways. It is as versatile as tahini yogurt dressing and spicy harissa hummus. Drizzle it over salads, use it as a dipping sauce for vegetables or crackers, or spread it on sandwiches and wraps. It’s also a perfect topping for grain bowls, baked potatoes, or burgers.

5. Clean-out your fridge: When I have an abundance of herbs, I make either this magic green sauce or pesto.

5. Oil-Free: Unlike the classic green goddess dressing loaded with mayonnaise and sour cream, this recipe is lighter, making it a guilt-free indulgence.

6. Easy to Make: Like my easy oil-free avocado chutney, this creamy salad dressing comes together in minutes with just a few simple ingredients. No cooking or complicated steps required! Just blend everything together and enjoy.

7. Nut-free: Don’t let nut-allergies stop you from enjoying this flavorful dressing. Avocado, yogurt and herbs add a ton of flavor, so you won’t really miss the nuts.

7. Customizable: Feel free to experiment with different herbs and spices to find your perfect flavor combination. You can also make it a dairy free green goddess dressing. (See details in the “variations” section below.)

8. Budget-Friendly: This dressing is much cheaper than buying store-bought versions, and it’s made with ingredients you likely already have on hand.

9. Long Shelf Life: Green goddess avocado dressing will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week, making it a perfect meal prep staple.

10. Makes You Feel Good: This creamy dressing, like homemade roasted garlic sauce and roasted red pepper dressing, is a guilt-free way to satisfy your cravings and nourish your body at the same time.

What to serve with this avocado basil dressing

There are tons of great ways to use this green goddess recipe:

1. Spring salad: The perfect way to use this green goddess salad dressing is on your favorite salads from beet walnut feta salad to Italian quinoa salad.
2. Fresh vegetables or tortilla chips: Make it a green goddess dip (use less water so the consistency is thick for dipping).
3. Roasted veggies: Drizzle on roasted vegetables like carrots and green beans for added flavor.
4. Sandwiches and wraps: Use it as a sandwich spread or on wraps like chicken tikka wraps.
5. Grain bowls: This is one of my favorite dressings I use on quinoa bowls. Try making a quick quinoa bowl with roasted pumpkin quinoa mixed with some fresh veggies like cucumber, tomatoes, kale and/or spinach. Add dollops of this creamy avocado dressing and enjoy.
6. Tacos: Green taco sauce tastes delicious on tacos with smoked paprika salmon and mango salsa.
7. Pasta: Use this magic green sauce on pasta. Add sundried tomatoes and chilli flakes for some depth of flavor. And you would’ve made yourself a creamy green goddess pasta.

Making it for a crowd

This avocado salad dressing can be easily scaled up or down. Use the slider that will appear if you hover your mouse over the number of servings in the recipe card below.