lemon dill avocado dressing

Making salad dressing from scratch used to intimidate me.

But after years of being completely underwhelmed with store-bought dressing, I sucked it up and started making my own.

About a year + a half ago, we stopped buying bottled dressing entirely and became hooked on the simplest homemade dressing ever.

oil + balsamic vinegar + apple cider vinegar + salt/pepper

We like using hemp, olive, or almond for the oil.  For the balsamic, the only kind I buy is Napa Valley Grand Reserve.  It has a 4% acidity, making it thick and much sweeter than most balsamic vinegars.  The bottles run around $9, but I stock up when they’re on sale for $6.  Each bottle lasts for at least 1 month, which includes eating side salads [for both of us] almost every night of the week.

For our go-to balsamic, I just pour a little of each ingredient overtop of our salads each night.

However, every once in a while I whip up something different. 

I randomly bought a pack of fresh dill at the store on Sunday.  I had no idea what I was going to do with it but on the way home remembered the two ripe avocados sitting on my counter.

Lemon and dill are a fabulous pair, and I figured avocado would make a great base for the dressing instead of oil.  If you’re a fan of creamy dressings this is a must make. 

It was love at first spoonful. 

Besides using as a salad dressing, try it out as a substitute for mayo on your next sandwich or as a veggie dip instead of hummus.

After licking the food processor, I assembled my salad.

• romaine
• broccoli sprouts
• cucumber
• carrot
• cherry tomatoes
• roasted salt + pepper chickpeas [roasted in a pan over medium heat with salt, pepper, and a splash of oil until browned]
• hemp seeds

As much as I love avocado in guacamole and on Mexican food, I’m not in love with it as a salad topping.

But in dressing form I’m 100% obsessed.

Print this!

Lemon Dill Avocado Dressing

• 2 ripe avocados [medium sized]
• 1/2c fresh lemon juice
• 1/4c fresh dill, lightly packed
• 1t garlic, minced
• 2t maple syrup/raw honey
• 1/2t salt

1. Add the avocado, lemon juice, garlic, maple syrup, and salt to your food processor.
2. Let spin until smooth, scraping down the sides as necessary.
3. Add the dill and let process until well combined.
4. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.

notes:  A mini food processor should work for this, but you will want to make it in 2 batches.  An immersion blender should also work but a stand up blender may be difficult since there is not much liquid involved.

 

We had quite the exhausting but fun weekend.  It started with a gorgeous bike ride on Saturday, then a prom photo shoot with my cousin + her friends, a visit from my bro-in-law, sis-in-law, and cutie-pie niece, meeting up with a high school friend, enjoying live music, staying out way too late, and getting started on our vegetable garden.

By the time lunch rolled around on Sunday, I wanted something fresh, simple, and delicious.  This did the trick.  If you haven’t tried making your own salad dressing before, I assure you it’s worth the effort. 

On to tackle the week!

Ashley

Comments

[Lauren]

I love the idea of using avocados to make dressing. I'm sure the taste of lemon just elevates this!

[Catalina @ Cake with Love]

This sounds perfect as a dipping side or on a salad!!! I love everything with avocado!

[Maria]

Love this dressing! I can't wait to try it!

[Gabby @ Gabby's Gluten-Free]

Love this - so perfect for spring!

[Cait's Plate]

I've actually never tried making it (other than oil + vinegar) and I really want to start. I hate buying bottled dressings - I'm definitely going to try this. Pretty much anything that contains an avocado is alright with me :)

I also bought a sweet potato so I can try your sweet potato egg bake soon!

[Leah @ Chocolate and Wild Air]

Yum, this sounds incredible! Can't wait to try it out - if only I could let avocados ripen for long enough without eating them...

[Katie @KatieDid]

I too used to buy certain bottles but finally realized making my own is such a simpler and more cost effective way. I don't usually whip them together I typically just drizzle an oil, a vinegar, some spices, and mustard over and call it a day! This looks so great though, avocados in a dressing are a great idea.

Ashley--> That's exactly what I do for our nightly salads. So good!

[Rachel]

Love your site! Homemade dressings intimidate me a little also, mostly because I don't know the correct ratios to use. I like the simplicity of the oil, balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and salt/pepper dressing because those are ingredients I always have on hand. What is the ratio of oil to balsamic vinegar to apple cider vinegar?

Ashley--> For the simple dressing I pour on our salads, I never measure. I probably use about 2t oil, 1T apple cider vin, and 2t of the balsamic. If you're using a more acidic balsamic, I would do 1-2t of apple cider vin + 1t of balsamic. Typically, when making a bigger batch of dressing, I start with equal parts oil + acid and then go from there, tasting along the way. Drizzling in a bit of honey really helps balance things out as well. The best thing is that you can always add more of 1 ingredient until it tastes right for you.

http://www.bonappetit.com/blogsandforums/blogs/badaily/2012/03/vinaigrette-ratio-salad.html
http://www.edibleperspective.com/home/2012/3/26/champagne-mango-strawberry-dressing.html
http://www.edibleperspective.com/home/2011/7/13/not-donuts-but-dinner.html
http://www.edibleperspective.com/home/2011/7/6/beer-baked-beer-grilled-beer-me.html

[Jocelyn @ Peace Love Nutrition]

Your photography is gorgeous!

[Jamie @ Don't Forget the Cinnamon]

Eek! I love avocado based dressings! I've never tried adding dill before!

Ashley--> Dill was such a fun addition. I bet basil could work too!

[cassie]

I love homemade dressings. These flavors are just perfect, Ashley. Love this!

[theresa @ aspoonfulofsunshine]

YUM! Dill is one of my all-time favorite herbs and I never thought to combine it with avocado but I think the creaminess of an avocado would pair perfectly with it! this recipe will be made soon!

Ashley--> Mine too! I don't use it enough. Hope you enjoy!

[Beth]

I haven't tried an avocado based salad dressing before (mostly because I'm too lazy to dirty the food processor when I could just whip up an oil/vinegar dressing in the same bowl the salad is going into), but this looks delicious! I love the idea of using it as a sandwich spread, too.

Ashley--> It's worth dirtying it up! :)

[Kammie @ Sensual Appeal]

I love anything with dill. I find that it adds such a wonderful flavor to anything. This looks awesome.

[Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking]

What a delicious looking dressing. I'd toss it on everything!

[Katie]

I want to be at your house for lunch so badly. I ADORE dill and wanted to grow it in the garden this year, but Meek hates and and he said it would ruin everything. Hah. I'll just go searching at a farmer's market for it, I suppose.

Ashley--> I want you to come over for lunch too!!

[Crissy]

Oooh, I'm definitely going to try to avocado dressing. Yum! I just did a post about the crazy things that people put on a bed of spinach and call "salad." It's awesome to see your salad that actually sounds healthy and looks delicious!

[Liz@SouthernCharm]

I just HAVE to try this dressing! It looks so good!!!

[Andrea]

I honestly have not found ONE store-bought salad dressing that I like. Lately I have just been using a drizzle of lemon juice on my salads, mostly because homemade salad dressing really intimidates me. I've tried a couple of times before, but never end up being satisfied with the result. Maybe I'll have to try this one out!

Ashley--> I am the exact same way with store-bought. So not worth it!

[Kerry]

This dressing looks delicious! I love avocado in my salad, but I've never tried using it in a dressing - what a great idea! I've also stopped buying bottled salad dressing. It's so expensive, and it's usually not very good. I usually just put a big spoonful of hummus on top of my salad, but when I feel like using dressing, I just mix up some olive oil, balsamic vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper.

[Heather C]

I'm just starting to feel like the homemade dressing thing needs to happen in this kitchen! I've been progressively stocking up on the necessities (or what I deem to be so) at the store, buying some vinegar here, oil varieties there, etc. Love this recipe, and finally have the means to make it! Thanks for sharing ;)

[Gilberto Gaulding]

That's a nice combination you got there. Might try that in one of my 5 meals per day. Let's hope it goes nicely with my workout. Cheers!