Avocado Ranch Dressing
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Published Jul 17, 2020, Updated May 16, 2022
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This vegan avocado ranch dressing is unbelievably creamy and loaded with herby flavor. It’s the perfect healthy replacement for regular ranch when topping salads or as a dip for veggies.
To be honest, ranch has never been my dressing of choice. Catalina (or French) was my absolute favorite growing up, and to this day, I still lean toward sweeter dressings like honey mustard. That said, I do love a savory dressing every once in a while and I know that pretty much everyone adores ranch, so this little recipe had to happen.
I have to admit that while doing recipe testing for this post I realized that I’m more of a ranch fan than I originally thought. Maybe my tastebuds have changed or maybe it’s because this homemade version tastes waaaay better than the store-bought ranch I remember from childhood. Either way, I’m not mad about it.
Avocado Instead of Mayo
Most ranch dressings start with a base of mayo, sour cream and buttermilk, but I knew from the get-go that I wanted to skip those things. I opted for Almond Breeze almondmilk with lemon juice to replace the buttermilk, along with avocado and olive oil to replace the mayo and sour cream.
The result is a delicious, herby dressing that’s just as creamy, if not creamier then regular ranch. It’s seriously the best!
Another great thing about this avocado ranch dressing (and ranch dressing in general) is that it’s super versatile and can be used in a variety of ways.
How To Use This Dressing
- as a dressing on a traditional salad
- drizzled over cooked veggies
- as a dip for veggies, cauliflower wings or pizza
- as a sub for mayo with chicken or tuna salad
- as a sauce for fajitas, tacos or burritos
So many options. You may need to make a double batch!
More Salad Ideas
- How to Build a Healthy Meal-Sized Salad
- 6 Healthy Homemade Salad Dressings
- Healthy Store-Bought Salad Dressings
More Dressing Ideas
- Blueberry Tahini Dressing
- Garlic Tahini Dressing
- Peanut Dressing
- Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing
- Basil Vinaigrette
- Healthy Poppyseed Dressing
- Healthy Caesar Dressing
- Raspberry Vinaigrette
Be sure to check out my healthy salad dressings as well as my favorite healthy store-bought salad dressings.
Avocado Ranch Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 medium avocado
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove of garlic
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 teaspoon dijon or stone-ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley, basil or dill (pick your favorite)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a high-powered blender and process until smooth and creamy, adding more almondmilk if the dressing seems too thick. Once the texture is to your liking, taste and season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Pour the dressing in to a container for serving. Use over salad, cooked veggies or as dip. Dressing should keep for 1-2 days in the fridge. Make 3/4 cup.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This looks delicious! How long does it last in the fridge?
Thank you, Glenda. It should last 2-3 days!
Will it turn brown?
I’ve made three batches and none of them have turned brown.
We’ve been trying to eat healthier (including a big salad a day) but I can’t get my husband to let go of the ranch. This is definitely a healthier option than what he’s having so maybe I can get him to give him a shot. We have some almond milk in the fridge, so it’s a perfect opportunity! I took the survey also!
Hi, I filled out the survey. Thanks for trying to use dairy free milk in your recipes!
I did the survey. I never considered using almond milk because I really didn’t know what to do with it. Recipes like this, easy and using ingredients I like, will make using almond milk a real option.
Thank you, Karen. I have a ton of recipes with almond milk if you ever need ideas. 🙂
Looks amazing! I have to say, there are some days I definitely miss indulgent dressings like ranch and caesar.
So easy to make vegan though! And loving the addition of avocado. That pretty much makes everything better!.
This salad looks amazing!
Thanks Erin!
This looks so good! You can’t go wrong with anything that has avocado in it, let along ranch dressing with avocado.
Same. I’m a avocado lover! 🙂
I took the survey! Such a fan of almond milk and your blog!
Thank you so much, Leah!
I took the survey. I think my two year old would like this dressing!
Thank you, Amy! I’m sure your toddler will love it. 🙂
I took the survey! I just ran out of ranch dressing and I have an avocado that’s going to go bad. Perfect timing for this recipe. Thanks so much!
Oh yay! You’ll have to let me know what you think.
Have completed the survey. Love your recipes.
Yum! This looks great. I love creamy, dairy free dressing ideas! I filled out the survey ????
A great way to sneak some avocado into a salad. I needed more homemade dressing recipes!
Indeed!! I hope you get a chance to try it!
And I just finished the survey!
I’m definitely going to make this dressing! Loving the challenge! I filled out the survey!
I love avocado ranch dressing. This is perfect for a hot summer day! Looks delicious.
I love making my own dressings, I can’t wait to try this recipe on my salad tonight.
I think this is an absolutely incredible dressing–can’t wait to give it a try!!
I completed the survey! Love all your recipes, and this one is delish. I still make those peanut butter cookies for my son about 3 times a week!
Aww this makes me so happy. I’m glad your son loves the pb cookies!!
The dressing and salad both look amazing! I love how creamy the dressing looks, and the color is beautiful. Also, I adore the wooden table – it looks adorable!
Thank you so much, Kori! 🙂
Ranch is my FAVE! So excited to try your recipe. Thanks!! I also filled out your survey.
Thanks so much, Britt!
Oh this dressing sounds so perfect! I can’t wait to try it!
Uh, totally love this. I’ve gotta try this recipe ASAP, but I can’t make any promises that I won’t go at it by the spoonful. Yum!
That may or may not have happened here. 😉
This looks so delicious, I never think to make my own veggie dip, but I love how versitile this one is!
I completed the survey.
This looks so good! I always buy vanilla almond milk, so I need to get original so I can try this dressing.
Thank you, Molly. You sound like me. I always buy vanilla as well and had to make a special trip to the store for the original. 🙂
Awesome dressing! I’m a big avocado fan, so that goes without saying for me 🙂 This would be so tasty as a dip for veggies, too, or even drizzled over your favorite protein!
Thank you so much, Patricia. I hope you get a chance to try the dressing!
I meant to say in my comment earlier that I completed the survey.
This was so creamy and delicious! Thank you for sharing the recipe! I made this dip yesterday and used it in a baked chicken and greens wrap. My husband and I are very happy there are leftovers.
Oh yay!! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Your baked chicken and greens wrap sounds awesome!!
I took the survey. Thanks!
I finished the survey. I love almond milk. I started using it years ago in cereal and then it grew into the only “milk” I buy. Smoothies, coffee, chai tea and in baking recipes. My daughter eats a LOT of ranch dressing. I’m gonna try making this for her next visit. I’d be thrilled if she had a healthier version like this to turn to instead. Thanks!
We are the exact same way! My husband used to buy milk all the time, but since finding almond milk we never buy regular milk anymore.
I took the survey. I am anxious for my avocado to ripen to try this recipe!
I know how you feel. I’m always waiting for my avocados to get perfectly ripe! 🙂
BLESS THIS POST. I have recently become obsessed with avocados, but interestingly enough, ranch has never been a favorite or choice of mine either. I’m much more of a vinaigrette girl. This however, makes me reconsider things.
Yay! You’ll have to try it and let me know what you think!
I took the survey. Thanks!
Did the survey. This looks amazing! 🙂
I took the survey, love how creative your recipes are
Aww, thank you Jennifer!!
I just completed the survey! Thank you for the vegan dressing recipe! 🙂
THANK YOU!
I just took the survey!
I completed the survey. Have you tried cashew milk yet?
Thank you Jennifer! Yes, I’ve tried the Almond Breeze cashewmilk blend and love it! So creamy.
Just took the survey! Thank you!
Thank you for the recipe! Completed the survey
Thank you so much, Ann!
Completed the survey
thank you for the giveaway. I took the survey
Thank you! Survey taken! <3
Gog to try the dressing. I will try it with water and almonds themselves plus what you have in the recipe already. Thanks. Are you familiar with Dr. Fuhrmann and the recipes he has for salad dressings? They are great.
Can I leave out the maple syrup? I’m doing LCHF and I want to avoid extra sugar. If I omit the maple syrup, how would that affect the nutrition info?
Yup! You can leave it out and the new nutritional info will be 68 cals, 4 grams of carbs and 0 grams of sugar. Everything else stays the same. 🙂
I made this recipe tonight to use as a salad dressing. It was absolutely delicious. Up until tonight, my husband has only liked ranch dressing, but he loved this recipe as much as me. If I could give it stars, I’d give it 5 out of 5. Thank you!
Hi, Just curious if this could be made without the EVOO to lighten it up since the avacado has alot of fat already.
I haven’t tried it without the EVOO, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. Maybe try blending it up without it, taste and see if you feel the need to add the olive oil for extra creaminess. Let me know how it turns out. 🙂
Hi Brittany: I am surprised it took me this long to try this recipe. It is a keeper!
Ahh yay!! So glad you finally got to try this dressing, Jema. So glad you liked it! Thanks for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I so appreciate it. 🙂
Delicious and so tasty and beautifully creamy without the use of dairy! Yay and thank you!!
Yay!! So glad you enjoyed this dressing, Virginia! Thanks for trying it and for coming back to leave a comment and star rating. I so appreciate it. 🙂
Just curious why you put maple syrup in virtually every dressing recipe. I usually use most every recipe as an idea for my own adaptations and since I abhor maple syrup I will find an alternative or simply leave it out, but just wondered about the reasoning behind it. Is it simply as a sweetener? You must LOVE maple syrup. Just curious.
Hey Mary, You can totally leave out the maple syrup if you prefer! I just like the touch of sweetness it adds. 🙂
Can you make this without the garlic? If you think it will really miss that flavor, anything else I can substitute?
I think garlic adds a great flavor to the dressing, but I think it would be okay (and plenty flavorful) without the garlic.
Yum! So good with veggies!
You must try this! It tastes amazing and is perfectly healthy! I am so excited! Thank you so much! I am forwarding it to all of my friends, family & clients. Thank you!!!
Ahh that makes me so happy to hear, Brenda!! I’m so glad you enjoyed this dressing. 🙂 Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I really appreciate it!
This dressing is delicious!! My family likes it, too. Thanks for the recipe! =)
Ahh yay! So glad this dressing was a hit with the family, Crystal. Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I appreciate it. 🙂
Amazing depth of flavors! Loved this!
(Though I had to add more garlic!! Yum!)
How long does a batch of this last in the refrigerator?
It should keep about 2 days in the fridge.
Can you replace the lemon with lime?
I haven’t tried it, but I’m sure that would be fine. Let me know how it turns out for you!
I am confused.after the 4 teaspoons of herbs we put in 2 tablespoons more of fresh herbs? And we choose from any we want?
Hi Robin! Yup, for the fresh herbs you can pick your favorite or whatever you have on hand – parsley, dill or basil. Let me know how the dressing turns out for you!
Made this without the oil and a little less milk. I used less fresh basil then called for but turned out delicious. Thank you.
Yay! So glad this avocado ranch dressing was a hit, Beth! Thanks so much for the review. It means so much to me!
Hi!
Can the maple syrup be substituted for honey? Do you think it will greatly change the flavor?
Also, can you use frozen avocados?
Thank you
Yes. You can totally use maple syrup instead of honey and frozen avocados should work fine too!
This recipe was exactly what I needed to use up some avocados that were getting too soft but were still perfectly edible. It is delicious as a dip for raw veggies.
Yay!! Happy to hear this avocado ranch dressing was a success, Summer! Thanks for trying out and I so appreciate the review :).
This is really yummy! And super easy to halve.
Excellent! I am glad that you are loving this recipe, Bella. Thank you for your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!
I just made this because I have excess avocados. It’s amazing! I used less oil but it still came out nice & creamy. I used an immersion blender. I almost passed on it because it appeared rated as 4.4. This is super easy & tasty! Thank you!
Yum! Sounds delicious. I am glad you enjoyed this recipe and it came out great for you. Thank you for sharing your review & star rating, I appreciate it!
Really delicious! For the 1/2 cup of almond milk I swapped for 1/4 cup mayo, 1/4 cup almond milk and it turned out amazing.
Amazing! I am so glad you have this recipe a try and it turned out amazing for you, Reba! Thanks for sharing your review & star rating, it means so much to me!