Creamy Avocado Ranch Dressing (Vegan)

This creamy vegan avocado ranch salad dressing is thick and creamy, studded with fresh herbs, and bursting with fresh flavor. It's like a cross between traditional ranch dressing and cilantro lime dressing, giving you the best of each. It's so stinkin' simple to make, yet it packs layers and layers of flavor from the herbs, seasonings, avocado, and fresh lime juice. Use it as a salad dressing or a dipping sauce for chips, veggies, and more. It's your new go-to for everything!

I've been sharing all of my favorite vegan salad dressing recipes to 1) prove that you don't have to compromise on flavor, and 2) help you save a little money. Those store-bought bottles of salad dressing add up quickly, especially when you're looking for vegan or dairy-free alternatives. 

Fortunately, you can make pretty much any salad dressing plant-based and most of them come together in less than 15 minutes - if not faster. Most of the time, you can dump everything in a blender, give it a pulse, and go!

That's why I wanted to share this easy avocado lime ranch dressing as soon as possible. The flavors are zingy and vibrant, it's rich and creamy, yet it only uses a handful of simple ingredients. The hardest part is chopping the cilantro; the rest is easy peasy.

It's amazing on any of your favorite salads, but really, we could eat it on just about everything! Think of it as more than a dressing - it's also the ultimate condiment for any spicy or Mexican-inspired recipes. Serve it on top of tacos, nachos, burritos, or this fiery Vegan Buffalo Chickpea Salad to help cool down the spicy buffalo sauce. You can even use it as a dip to eat more raw veggies!

Why you’ll love this Avocado Lime Dressing Recipe

• Incredibly easy to make with simple, fresh ingredients
• Made with no added sugar - sweetened with a little maple syrup instead
• Thick, creamy texture from the combination of yogurt and avocado
• Versatile dressing that works on a range of salads
• Also makes a great dip for veggies or chips!

Ingredients for Avocado Ranch Dressing

You do need two creamy elements here: avocado and yogurt. Combining the two really gets a lovely texture with plenty of flavor. 

• Ripe avocado - This will stand in for olive oil while adding a gorgeous green color and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. 
• Plain unsweetened vegan yogurt - Any type of vegan yogurt will work. If you use vegan Greek yogurt, you may need to add a little extra water or lime juice to reach your desired consistency.
• Water - The amount of water will vary depending on how thick or thin you want the dressing. 
• Maple syrup - I love adding just a little bit of sweetness to balance savory flavors. 
• Fresh lime juice - This will add a bright, tangy flavor that works wonderfully with the cilantro. Feel free to add some lime zest for an even bolder lime flavor.
• Seasonings - To add extra depth of flavor, season with salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Give the dry seasonings some time to rehydrate for the very best flavor.
• Fresh cilantro - Fresh is essential! We need that fresh, herby note to balance the dressing. If you're anti cilantro, try using some parsley instead.

How to Make Avocado Ranch Dressing

• To a high speed blender or food processor, add avocados, lime juice, water, maple syrup, salt, onion powder, and garlic powder. 
• Blend until smooth and creamy.
• Next add in the chopped cilantro and Italian seasoning and mix by hand.
• Cover tightly and refrigerate.

How to Store

Transfer any leftover dressing to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Stir well before serving, if needed.

Although avocado can brown in storage, the lime juice and yogurt will slow down the process.

Tips for Making the Best Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing

• Make it as tangy as you'd like. If you're into really tangy lime flavors, you may want to use extra lime juice instead of water. 
• Spice it up. Blend 1-2 jalapenos and some red pepper flakes for a little heat.
• Give it some time. You can serve this avocado dressing right away, but for the best flavor, let it rest for at least 30 minutes (if not overnight). This will let the flavors mingle together and really come together.

Serving Suggestions

Of course, you can serve this avocado lime ranch dressing over simple green salads. It's great for that and is like a cross between cilantro lime dressing and ranch.

It's the perfect way to cool down this Vegan Buffalo Chickpea Salad, but the flavors also work great with Mexican or Tex Mex recipes.

Think spicy Vegan Enchiladas Verdes or Black Bean Enfrijoladas. The creaminess paired with fresh lime and cilantro cuts through spicy flavors and will make any plate of nachos or fajitas even better. 

Since it's so thick, you can also use it as a dipping sauce for tortilla chips, sliced veggies, and more.