This creamy avocado cilantro lime dressing is full of fresh flavor and so easy to make. Just blend ripe avocados, fresh cilantro, lime juice, and a few simple ingredients until smooth. Drizzle it over your favorite salad, spoon it over grilled chicken, or make it a little thicker for a dip!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Easy to make: Add everything to your blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
Fresh and creamy: Avocado and sour cream give it a smooth texture, while cilantro and lime add fresh flavor.
More than a salad dressing: Spoon it over chicken or tacos, or use less water to make a dip or spread.
A great way to use ripe avocados: Perfect when you have a couple that need to be used!

Ingredients You'll Need

You only need a few simple ingredients to make this creamy dressing. Find the full amounts in the recipe card below.

Ripe avocados: They should give a little when gently pressed. Ripe avocados blend easily and give the dressing its creamy texture.
Fresh cilantro: Use the leaves and tender stems. There's no need to pick off every leaf.
Mexican crema or sour cream: Either works well and adds a little tang.
Water: Thins the dressing so you can pour it. Use less for a dip or spread.
Kosher salt: Brings out the flavor. Taste before adding more.
Lime juice: Fresh lime juice adds a bright, tangy flavor.
Cayenne pepper: Adds a little heat. Leave it out if you prefer.
Ground coriander: Adds a mild citrus flavor that goes well with the cilantro and lime.

How to Make Avocado Cilantro Lime Dressing

This dressing comes together in your blender or food processor. There's no cooking needed, and you can easily adjust the thickness to suit how you plan to use it.

Prep the avocados and cilantro. Cut the avocados in half, remove the pits, and scoop the flesh into your blender or food processor. Rinse the cilantro well and pat it dry. You can include the tender stems, but remove any thick, tough stems.

Add the remaining ingredients. Add the Mexican crema or sour cream, lime juice, salt, cayenne, and ground coriander. Pour in the water. If you want to use this as a dip or spread, start with less water. You can always add more after blending.

Blend until creamy. Blend until the cilantro is finely chopped and the dressing is smooth. Stop and scrape down the sides as needed so you don't leave any chunks of avocado behind. The dressing should be thick and creamy but easy to pour.

Adjust to your taste. If it's too thick, blend in more water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the consistency you like. Give it a taste and add a little more salt or lime juice if needed.

Pour the dressing into a jar or covered container. Serve it right away over your favorite salad, or refrigerate until ready to use.

Tips for Best Results

Use ripe avocados. They should give slightly when you gently press them. Firm, underripe avocados won't blend as smoothly and can leave the dressing with small chunks.
Start with less water for a dip. You can always thin it out, but you can't take the water back out. Decide how you want to use it before adding the full amount.
Use fresh lime juice. Lime is a big part of the flavor here, and fresh juice makes a difference. Limes vary in size, so taste the dressing before adding more.
Scrape down the blender. Thick dressing can cling to the sides. Stop and scrape it down so all the cilantro and avocado get blended.
Taste it with what you're serving. Try a little on a salad leaf or piece of chicken before adding more salt or lime. This gives you a better idea of how the finished dish will taste.
Check the thickness after chilling. The dressing may thicken in the fridge. Stir in a little water before serving if needed.

Substitutions and Variations

Use Greek yogurt. Plain Greek yogurt can replace the sour cream or Mexican crema. It gives the dressing a tangier flavor. Add a little more water if it's too thick.
Add some heat. Blend in a little fresh jalapeño. Remove the seeds and white ribs for less heat, and start with a small piece.
Add garlic. A small garlic clove adds extra flavor. Raw garlic can be strong, so start with half a clove and taste before adding more.
Make a dip or spread. Start without the water, then add just enough to help everything blend. Leave it thick for dipping vegetables or spreading on sandwiches.
Skip the coriander. If you don't have ground coriander, you can leave it out. The cilantro and lime still give this dressing plenty of flavor.

Ways to Use This Dressing

This avocado cilantro lime dressing is good on so much more than salad. Here are a few ways to use it:

Drizzle over salads. Try it with romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers, and grilled chicken. It's also great on a taco salad.
Spoon over tacos. The creamy dressing goes well with chicken, shrimp, or fish tacos. Add some shredded cabbage for crunch.
Add to a rice bowl. Pair it with rice, your favorite protein, and roasted vegetables for an easy meal.
Serve with chicken or fish. Spoon it over baked chicken, baked salmon, or shrimp for a fresh, tangy finish.
Use as a veggie dip. Make it thicker by using less water, then serve with bell peppers, cucumbers, and carrots.
Spread on sandwiches or wraps. A thicker batch makes a flavorful spread for a turkey sandwich or chicken wrap.

How to Store

Store the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within 3 days. For the best color, press a piece of plastic wrap directly against the surface before adding the lid. The lime juice helps slow browning, but the avocado may still darken over time.

The dressing may thicken in the fridge. Give it a stir before serving and mix in a little water if needed.

I recommend making this dressing fresh rather than freezing it, since the texture can change once thawed.

Avocado Cilantro Lime Dressing