This easy Avocado Ranch Dressing is a healthy and low-fat alternative to classic Ranch dressing as it uses Greek Yogurt instead of mayo! A creamy avocado dressing for salads that can also be served as a dip for veggies and more. Vegan version included!
This Creamy healthy Avocado Ranch Dressing / Ranch Dip has 100% of the flavor of the “regular” Ranch Dressing recipe with only a fraction of the calories and way less fat. Instead of mayo, we use Greek Yogurt and add some avocado goodness - so feel free to dip, pour, and scoop onto everything you love without any guilt.
Make it a Vegan Ranch Dressing!
The avocado ranch comes in two versions! One made with plain Greek Yogurt and a dairy-free version using homemade cashew cream instead! Both recipes feature a quick homemade Ranch seasoning using fresh herbs only, and our favorite superfood avocado. Serve this healthy avocado dressing as a dressing or a dip for your next party, and watch it disappear in no time!
My favorite way to enjoy this Avocado Ranch Dip is alongside a plate of Healthy Paleo Chicken Poppers!
Fresh vs Dried Herbs:
You can use dried herbs but don’t recommend it. The dressing is much fresher and nicer with fresh herbs. If you only have dried herbs at home, here’s the ratio:
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon dried chive
How to make Avocado Ranch Dressing:
Step- 1 & 2 - Pick your favorite version. Place all the ingredients in your blender or food processor, and blend until smooth.
If making the dairy free/vegan version, I recommend using a blender for best results. Blend for 5-10 minutes or until the cashews are completely smooth. It takes longer than the dairy version.
Gradually add more milk (or water) to thin out the dressing until you reach the perfect drizzable consistency (I used 6 tablespoons of milk for the dairy version, and ½ cup + 4 tablespoons for the vegan version).
Pour in a jar (ideally one fitted with a lid) and store in the fridge until ready to use.
GREEK YOGURT INSTEAD OF MAYONNAISE?
Yep, I am a huge fan of lightening up dips with Greek Yogurt whenever the recipe normally calls for Mayo. And what works for my French Onion Dip, also works for my Avocado Ranch Dip. Apart from keeping the calories down, we also add a bunch of protein, and calcium to this creamy avocado dip that I don't get from mayonnaise.
So while you can make this Ranch dressing recipe with a mix of mayo and yogurt or even with straight mayonnaise, I can really do without the calories, fat, and cholesterol the mayo adds to this. I mean we already have some healthy fats from the avocado in here!
Ways to enjoy this Avocado Ranch Dip
- with chips – potato chips, beet chips or sweet potato chips
- with veggie sticks – carrots, cucumbers, celery
- served with baked homemade Pita Chips
- alongside healthy Chicken Poppers
- potato wedges or smashed potatoes
- all your favorite vegan bowls
- this dressing also tasted amazing drizzled over baked potatoes or baked sweet potatoes
- use it as a sandwich spread
- pasta salad dressing
- as a french fry dip or dip for polenta fries etc
Tips
- The Avocado ranch dip tastes best after resting in the fridge for several hours, or even overnight. It can be made a day in advance, kept well-covered in the refrigerator.
- Don't use overripe avocados for this recipe as it won't have the same pretty color and will turn faster.
- For a Mexican spin on Ranch, use fresh cilantro instead of the Ranch herbs.
Avocado Ranch Dressing
Ingredients
Dairy Version Ingredients
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 ripe avocado
- 2 tablespoons lime juice or lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic finely minced, or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley roughly chopped (see notes if you want to use dried herbs)
- 2 teaspoons fresh dill roughly chopped (see notes if you want to use dried herbs)
- 2 teaspoons fresh chive roughly chopped (see notes if you want to use dried herbs)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard - optional
- Milk of choice except coconut milk, as needed to thin out dressing
Dairy Free/Vegan Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews soaked in hot water for 30 minutes and drained
- 1 cup non dairy milk except coconut milk
- 1 ripe avocado
- 2 tablespoons lime juice or lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 clove garlic finely minced, or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley roughly chopped (see notes if you want to use dried herbs)
- 1 to 2 teaspoons fresh dill roughly chopped (see notes if you want to use dried herbs)
- 2 teaspoons fresh chive roughly chopped (see notes if you want to use dried herbs)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard - optional
- Water or more dairy free milk to thin out dressing – start with ¼ cup. Added ½ cup + 4 tbsp
Instructions
-
Pick your favorite version. Place all the ingredients in your blender or food processor, and blend until smooth.
-
If making the dairy free/vegan version, I recommend using a blender for best results. Blend for 5-10 minutes or until the cashews are completely smooth. It takes longer than the dairy version.
-
Gradually add more milk (or water) to thin out the dressing until you reach the perfect drizzable consistency (I used 6 tablespoons of milk for the dairy version, and ½ cup + 4 tablespoons for the vegan version).
-
Pour in a jar (ideally one fitted with a lid) and store in the fridge until ready to use.
Recipe Notes
Fresh vs dried herbs
You can use dried herbs but don’t recommend it. The dressing is much fresher and nicer with fresh herbs. If you only have dried herbs on hands, here’s the ratio:
2 teaspoons dried parsley
½ teaspoon dried dill
½ teaspoon dried chive
If you tried this healthy Avocado Ranch Dressing / Ranch Dip recipe don’t forget to rate the recipe below and let me know how it went in the comments – I love hearing from you! You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook for more deliciousness and behind-the-scenes!
Eileen Kelly
We are just loving this avocado dressing. Perfect on salads and we love it with fresh veggies.
Marie
So happy you like it!
Elaine
These healthy dressings are my favorite! I can pair them with so many of my go-to mains, and they never disappoint!
Marie
Oh and this one has such a pretty color too! Love when things add to the visuals of a dish PLUS add nutritional value!
Sara Welch
Enjoyed this on my cobb salad for lunch and and hits the spot! So easy, creamy and delicious; easily, a new favorite dressing, indeed!
Marie
Oh AMAZING! So happy you enjoyed it! It's become a family favorite already!
Gina
Absolutely LOVE the vegan version of this dressing! So creamy and good, it makes eating salads a totally enjoyable meal.
Marie
TOTALLY! Turns everything it touches into gold! Serious green goodness magic
Beth
This looks so delicious and perfect for my salads! So excited to give this a try! My hubby is going to love this!
Marie
Oh thanks so much Beth! So happy you enjoy the recipe!