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Home » Recipes » Salad Dressing

Creamy Avocado Herb Dressing (Vegan, Oil-Free!)

May 20, 2020 by Kaitlin · 4 Comments

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A creamy, tangy Avocado Herb Dressing recipe with garden-fresh basil, parsley, and lemon! It's easy to make, full of flavor, and so tasty drizzled on a variety of salads. (Vegan, gluten-free, oil-free.)

Creamy vegan garden herb dressing in a jar

This deliciously creamy lemon herb salad dressing is so flavorful! It combines both parsley and basil (or dill) for amazing freshness.

Plus it's oil-free! Instead of refined oil, we achieve a creamy base with whole food avocado. But feel free to swap in dairy-free yogurt or silken tofu if you wish.

The dressing works beautifully with a variety of summer salads, or also as a flavor-packed veggie dip.

Jar of creamy herb dressing with avocado and parsley

Ingredients for Avocado Herb Dressing

For this recipe you will need a blender (or small food processor) and these ingredients:

  • Avocado: This creates the creamy base for the dressing. You could also replace it with plain, unsweetened vegan yogurt, silken tofu, or vegan mayonnaise if desired.
  • Fresh parsley: Most often I use flat leaf parsley, but curly parsley works too.
  • Fresh basil: Or you can substitute other fresh herbs like cilantro, dill, fresh chives, etc.
  • Lemon juice: We will need three tablespoons fresh lemon juice for this recipe, which is about one lemon. Lime juice could also work however.
  • Fresh garlic cloves: Or you can substitute fresh shallot if desired.
  • White wine vinegar: Or you can use apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar.
  • Agave: This is to lightly sweeten and balance the flavors. If you don't have agave, simply use pure maple syrup or other sweetener of choice.
  • Salt and water
Jar of vegan avocado herb dressing with fresh basil and parsley

Customizing

Herbs: Change this up with your own favorite herb combinations or whatever is available near you. Fresh dill, cilantro, and chives are all tasty as well. Or you can use all of one herb, like all fresh basil.

Olive oil: I prepare this dressing oil-free, but you could also whisk in a tablespoon or two of good quality olive oil to create an herb vinaigrette.

Vegetable dip: To make this a veggie dip, simply add less water to achieve a thicker consistency.

Note: For a similar variation, try this Creamy Cilantro-Lime Dressing!

Storing

Store leftovers in an airtight container or sealed glass jar in the refrigerator. I find it keeps for about 3 days.

Serving

I especially enjoy this creamy dressing tossed on a fresh Summer Chopped Salad with colorful veggies (pictured below).

Plate of summer chopped salad tossed in green dressing

For more inspiration, also browse all salad dressing recipes or avocado recipes.

Creamy vegan garden herb dressing in a jar

Creamy Avocado Herb Dressing (Vegan, Oil-Free!)

A creamy, tangy dressing with garden-fresh basil, parsley, and lemon! It's easy to make, full of flavor, and so tasty drizzled on a variety of salads. Customize it with your favorite herbs!
5 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Comment
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Author: Kaitlin - The Garden Grazer
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: Gluten-Free, Oil-Free, Vegan
Servings: 3 (1/3 cup servings)

Ingredients

  • 1 small avocado (or 1/2 large avocado)
  • 1/3 cup fresh parsley
  • 1/3 cup fresh basil (or dill, cilantro, etc.)
  • 3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 3 Tbsp. water (more as need for desired consistency)
  • 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 tsp. white wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp. agave (or other sweetener)
  • 1/8 tsp. salt

Instructions

  • Puree all ingredients in a small food processor or blender until smooth. (Scrape down sides with spatula as needed.)
  • Add more water if needed, a little at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. (More salt, lemon juice, sweetener, etc.)

Notes

Avocado: Feel free to substitute with dairy-free yogurt (plain & unsweetened) or silken tofu for the creamy base.
Make it a veggie dip: Add less water for a thicker consistency.
Yield: Recipe makes about 3/4 cup dressing.

Nutrition Per Serving (Estimate)

Nutrition Facts
Creamy Avocado Herb Dressing (Vegan, Oil-Free!)
Amount per Serving
Calories
127
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
10
g
15
%
Saturated Fat
 
1
g
6
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
7
g
Potassium
 
395
mg
11
%
Carbohydrates
 
10
g
3
%
Fiber
 
5
g
21
%
Sugar
 
3
g
3
%
Protein
 
2
g
4
%
Vitamin A
 
803
IU
16
%
Vitamin C
 
24
mg
29
%
Calcium
 
28
mg
3
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Sodium content: This is omitted as I cannot provide an accurate number. I encourage you to calculate your own to provide a much more precise reading based on the exact ingredients, brands, and amounts you're using.

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If you're enjoying this creamy avocado garden herb salad dressing recipe with basil and parsley, also feel free to check out:

  • Carrot Ginger Miso Dressing
  • Basil Balsamic Dressing
  • Quinoa Avocado Spinach Power Salad
  • Cucumber Tomato Salad

Follow The Garden Grazer on Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, or Facebook for more updates and inspiration.

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Comments

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    Recipe Rating:




  1. Deb W says

    November 25, 2023 at 10:00 pm

    5 stars
    This is fabulous! I didn't add water and used it as a salad dressing. Tomorrow, I'm making salmon and will serve the salmon with this dressing as a topping. It won't take much as it's so full of flavor! So, so good. Oh, I've made it twice and added some extra herbs and enjoyed that, too.

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      November 26, 2023 at 4:49 pm

      Hello Deb! I'm so thrilled to hear you've enjoyed this dressing a couple times. Extra herbs sound wonderful! Thanks for sharing your kind feedback!

      Reply
  2. Heather says

    June 19, 2020 at 2:29 am

    How much silken tofu do you think would be equivalent to 1 avocado? Thanks.

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      June 24, 2020 at 11:00 am

      Hi Heather! Silken tofu typically comes in a 12 oz. container, and I'd start with a third to a half of that. (About 4-6 oz.) It's a pretty forgiving recipe so you can adjust it as needed to achieve the consistency you desire.

      Reply

Hello, I'm Kaitlin!
I live in Montana and share vegan recipes that are easy and healthy. About Me →

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