If you love bold, herby flavors and crave a creamy, nourishing dressing that’s totally free of oil, you’re in for a treat! This Avocado Green Goddess Dressing (Oil-Free) is bursting with vibrant green goodness and silky texture, making it the perfect companion for salads, grain bowls, roasted veggies, or even as a dip. Best of all, it comes together in minutes—with just fresh herbs, ripe avocado, and a squeeze of lemon bringing this dreamy dressing to life.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultra Creamy, No Oil Needed: Avocado offers dreamy richness and smoothness, with absolutely zero added oil.
- Packed With Fresh Herbs: Chopped parsley, chives, and basil give every bite a bright, garden-fresh punch.
- Ready in Minutes: Just toss everything in a food processor—this Green Goddess dressing truly delivers speedy satisfaction.
- Versatile & Vibrant: It’s perfect as a salad dressing, dip, sandwich spread, or bowl topper—your mealtimes just got a glamorous, healthy upgrade!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Everything you need to make this Avocado Green Goddess Dressing (Oil-Free) is simple, fresh, and easy to find! Each ingredient plays a starring role in creating its creamy texture, unmistakable color, and deeply herby flavor—you’ll taste every one in the finished dressing.
- Fresh parsley (2 cups, chopped): The main green base—vivid, grassy, and wonderfully aromatic.
- Chopped fresh chives (¼ cup): A subtle pop of onion flavor that lifts and balances the herbs.
- Fresh basil (¼ cup, about 10–12 leaves): Adds a touch of sweetness and classic Green Goddess magic.
- Garlic cloves (2, peeled): A little sharpness for bold flavor—feel free to adjust to your garlic love level!
- Ripe avocado (1 medium/large): For that creamy decadence, plus vibrant color and healthy fats.
- Lemon zest (from half a lemon): Completely optional, but it gives extra zing and citrus aroma.
- Fresh lemon juice (¼ cup): Brings brightness, tanginess, and keeps the avocado gorgeously green.
- Apple cider vinegar (1½ tablespoons): A gentle kick of acidity that helps balance all the flavors.
- Fine sea salt (up to 1 teaspoon): Start with a little and adjust to your own taste.
- Black pepper (½ teaspoon or more): For gentle warmth—fresh-cracked is especially delicious here.
- Water (¼ to ½ cup): Adjusts the consistency to suit salads, bowls, or dipping dreams!
Variations
One of the best things about this Avocado Green Goddess Dressing (Oil-Free) is how easy it is to customize for your tastes or whatever you have on hand. Here are a few fun swaps and creative tweaks to get you started!
- Swap Your Herbs: Try cilantro, dill, or tarragon in place of basil or parsley for a new flavor twist.
- Add Heat: Toss in a little jalapeño, serrano, or a pinch of chili flakes if you like a gentle kick.
- Extra Creamy: Blend in a spoonful of unsweetened plant-based yogurt or silken tofu for even more luscious texture.
- Citrus Vibes: Use lime instead of lemon for a totally different, extra-tangy accent.
How to Make Avocado Green Goddess Dressing (Oil-Free)
Step 1: Blend the Herbs and Garlic
Start by placing the parsley, chives, basil, and peeled garlic cloves into your food processor. Blitz for about 5 seconds until everything is chopped and chunky—this gives your dressing a lovely green base and ensures no large garlic bits sneak into your finished sauce.
Step 2: Add Avocado & Flavor Boosters
Next, halve and pit your ripe avocado, scoop the flesh into the processor, and add the lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, initial ¾ teaspoon of salt, black pepper, and ¼ cup water. The lemon and vinegar not only add tang, but also keep your dressing bright green and zippy!
Step 3: Blend to Creamy Perfection
Process everything together until the Avocado Green Goddess Dressing (Oil-Free) is as smooth as you desire—you can make it silky or leave it a touch chunky. If it’s too thick for your liking, add water one tablespoon at a time until you reach your perfect consistency.
Step 4: Taste & Adjust
Before you pour out your gorgeous green creation, taste and tweak! Add extra salt, a splash more lemon, or a dash of pepper—let your palate be the guide. Then serve immediately or store for later enjoyment.
Pro Tips for Making Avocado Green Goddess Dressing (Oil-Free)
- Avocado Ripeness Matters: Pick a perfectly ripe avocado—soft to the touch but not mushy—for the smoothest, creamiest texture.
- Herb Freshness Is Key: The fresher your parsley, chives, and basil, the punchier and more vibrant your Green Goddess dressing will taste.
- Adjust Consistency Your Way: Prefer a thinner drizzly sauce or a thick, dippable cream? Add water gradually until you love the consistency.
- Taste, Taste, Taste: Lemons and herbs can vary in flavor—give that final blend a taste and tweak seasoning to hit your perfect bright, tangy note.
How to Serve Avocado Green Goddess Dressing (Oil-Free)
Garnishes
This dressing is gorgeous all on its own, but you can make it even more special with a sprinkle of extra chopped chives, a handful of microgreens, or a twist of cracked black pepper just before serving. For a dinner party, edible floral petals add a cheerful, colorful touch on top!
Side Dishes
Avocado Green Goddess Dressing (Oil-Free) brings any salad to life, but don’t stop there—it’s fantastic drizzled over steamed potatoes, tossed with roasted veggies, or even dolloped on a grain bowl. I especially love it with oven-roasted sweet potatoes or a hearty quinoa salad for a filling lunch.
Creative Ways to Present
Try spreading a swoosh of this dressing on the bottom of your serving platter before layering in veggies or grains, or use small bowls for dipping raw veg crudités at parties. It’s also delicious inside wraps, sandwiches, and as a vibrant topping for tacos or grilled corn—let your imagination (and appetite!) run wild.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Pop any leftover Avocado Green Goddess Dressing (Oil-Free) into a small, airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 4 days. Thanks to the bright burst of lemon juice and vinegar, the dressing keeps its color beautifully—no sad browning here!
Freezing
While I usually whip up just enough to enjoy fresh, you can freeze this dressing in small portions if needed. Use an airtight jar or freezer-safe container, and thaw in the fridge overnight. The texture may change slightly after freezing, but a quick blend or shake will help restore its creamy magic.
Reheating
This dressing is at its best served cold or at room temperature, so no reheating needed! If it thickens in the fridge, simply stir in a splash of water or lemon juice to bring it back to life.
FAQs
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Can I make Avocado Green Goddess Dressing (Oil-Free) without a food processor?
Absolutely! You can use a high-speed blender instead. If you don’t have a blender or food processor, just chop everything very finely by hand and mash the avocado thoroughly for a more rustic, chunky style dressing.
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How do I prevent the dressing from turning brown?
The generous amount of lemon juice and vinegar in this Avocado Green Goddess Dressing (Oil-Free) keeps it green and vibrant for days in the fridge—no need for extra lemon or oil on top. Just be sure to store it airtight.
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What can I substitute for fresh herbs if I only have dried?
Fresh herbs give the best flavor and color, but in a pinch, use about a quarter the amount of dried herbs. Add extra lemon juice or a spoonful of fresh green onion or spinach to help boost color and freshness.
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Can I make this dressing nuttier or thicker for dipping?
Definitely! For a nutty twist, add a spoonful of tahini or sunflower seeds before blending. To make it extra thick, simply use less water and blend until it holds a dippable consistency.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’ll whip up this Avocado Green Goddess Dressing (Oil-Free) and fall in love at first taste! Whether you’re adding it to a colorful salad or serving it with your favorite veggies, it’s bound to become a staple in your kitchen—fresh, bright, and a little bit magical in every bite. Enjoy every drizzle!
Print
Avocado Green Goddess Dressing Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings 1x
- Category: Dressing/Sauce
- Method: Food Processor
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Oil-Free Avocado Green Goddess Dressing is a vibrant and flavorful alternative to traditional dressings. Creamy avocado, fresh herbs, and zesty lemon make this dressing a perfect accompaniment to salads or as a dip.
Ingredients
Fresh Herb Blend:
- 2 cups chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
Other Ingredients:
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1 medium/large ripe avocado
- zest from half a lemon (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- Up to 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Blend Fresh Herbs: In a food processor, combine parsley, chives, basil, and garlic. Pulse until chunky, about 5 seconds.
- Add Avocado Mixture: Add sliced avocado, lemon zest and juice, vinegar, salt, pepper, and ¼ cup water. Process until smooth. Add more water for a thinner consistency.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and lemon to your liking. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container.
Notes
- Storage: Store dressing in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The lemon juice and vinegar help prevent browning.
- Freezing: This dressing may be freezer friendly, but it’s best enjoyed fresh within a couple of days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
