Avocado Lime Yogurt Dipping Dressing – If you love smothering veggie sticks or wings in thick, creamy dressing – but don’t love the excess fat and calories – this luscious, vitamin-rich dip is for you!
Have I ever mentioned that I try to eat about 7 servings of fruits a vegetables a day? Well, it’s true, and it’s quite an undertaking. The news that eating vegetables is good for you is pretty ubiquitous, but I landed on 7-a-day after a study was released by UCL (University College London) in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health. In brief summary, the study found that eating 7 servings a day instead of the recommend 5 significantly decreases a person’s risk of death and health problems like heart disease and cancer. You can check out a more detailed summary of this study on UCL’s website. As a visiting nurse this was big, important news to me. Perhaps diet is the best medicine. Preventative at least!
Most days I reach my 7 servings. Most… Sometimes it’s hard to do. Having things like pre-cut veggie sticks in the house helps. That way, instead of reaching for crackers and cookies, I’m more likely to nibble on a carrot or a radish. As the seasons change, my veggies change based on what I get through my local crop share. In the spring my favorite thing is sugar snap peas, and then comes summer with all it’s sweet cherry tomatoes and peppers. But I think wintertime has some treasures of it’s own, like the white turnips and watermelon radishes pictured here.
And what’s better than crunchy veggie sticks? Veggie sticks coated in a creamy, thick dressing! That’s where my Avocado Lime Yogurt Dipping Dressing comes in. When I originally set out to develop this recipe, I had planned on a yogurt blue cheese dipping dressing for wings with game day yumminess in mind. But then I had the idea for Sticky Honey Chipotle Cauliflower Wings (to come on Friday) and my plan morphed into this flavorful Avocado Lime Yogurt Dipping Dressing. What I love about this stuff is that although the avocado ups that fat content a little bit (with healthy fats), it has no added oil. Plus, the avocado and cilantro, along with the low-fat dairy, packs added vitamins, protein, and probiotic goodness. It’s rich and creamy and perfect for dipping. If you’re like my husband and I, and love smothering your wings or veggie sticks in creamy ranch or blue cheese goodness, this recipe is for you. But no double-dipping please!
- 1 avocado
- ¾ C 2% plain Greek yogurt*
- 2 Tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice
- 2 Tbsp 2% milk*
- 1 Tbsp honey*
- ⅛ C minced cilantro
- ⅛ tsp cumin
- ⅛ tsp salt
- black pepper to taste
- Combine all of the ingredients and blend using a hand blender or a food processor until the dressing is smooth and the cilantro looks like small, green specks in the dressing.
- Serve immediately or chill up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
Liz says
Mmmm….I love this healthier dip option! No guilt smothering this winner on my veggies!
Rachel says
Nope! No guilt here!
Erin @ Thanks for Cookin'! says
Yum! Putting this on my list for our family get together next weekend! And those watermelon radishes are to die for! Wish I could find those in my neck of the woods…delicious
Rachel says
You’ll have to know how everyone likes it! I really hope you stumble on some watermelon radishes one of these days! They taste similar to regular radishes, but they are a lot of fun to eat. 😉
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
Ohh I bet this would be SO good, even on tacos or a sandwich!! I love anything with avocado 🙂
Rachel says
Putting this on a sandwich is such a good idea! I love mayo, but try to moderate it’s use in my life. I’m thinking this dressing in a veggie wrap for lunch today! 🙂
Noel says
We eat more veggies when they are prepped and easy to grab … I’ve done the same thing w/ carrots and celery sticks for my husband. It sure is tough getting all those servings in – let’s make it easier!
I love the sound of this dressing – creamy and tangy all at once.
Rachel says
Convenience is a huge issue with eating enough fruits and vegetables. Sometimes it’s so much easier to grab the ready-to-go junk food from the pantry. I’m always trying to create opportunities to help my family make healthy food choices throughout the day by pre-cutting veggies and such.
Clyde says
I am always looking for more Greek Yogurt recipes because it is one of my main sources of protien and this one looks great. Thanks for sharing.
Rachel says
I LOVE Greek yogurt! Between being a great protein source, the probiotic benefits, and how creamy it is has made me addicted to using the stuff in so many recipes. Glad to hear you found this recipe helpful!
Melissa says
This sounds so good! I’m hoping watermelon radishes show up at our winter farmer’s market, because I would love to try them!
Rachel says
I’m so happy you noticed my lovely watermelon radishes! I got mine from my local crop share at Living Hope Farm. Winter would be very bleak without them. Best of luck with the farmer’s market!
Manal Obieda says
This dip is so good looking and hard to believe that it is healthy as well…
Rachel says
It doesn’t taste particularly healthy either. Just creamy and rich!
Sherri @ Watch Learn Eat says
I love avocado dressings!! This looks sooooo delicious – love the addition of the honey! Mmmm 🙂
Rachel says
Thanks Sherri! A little honey to make life sweeter. 🙂
Dee says
This is one of my favorite flavor combos, and I could just dig right in! 🙂 I caught my son double dipping today — ugh!
Rachel says
Kids can be so gross!… but it’s hard not to love them double dipping and all!
Rebekah says
This sounds fantastic! Maybe I can sub this for the ranch hubby is always using.
Rachel says
My hubby is such a ranch fanatic and he was all about this dressing. I also make a more ranch-like version, which I was thinking about posting sometime this summer.
Laura @MotherWouldKnow says
Love this dip – and I have all the ingredients at hand. Yay for my tendency to buy more food than I ought to. And of course I have lots of cut up veggies.
Rachel says
Don’t you love it when you just happen to have all the ingredients on hand! I have a tendency to buy more food than I ought to as well… I guess we can’t help ourselves. We’re food bloggers!
Eileen says
I love your recipe. I am working on transitioning to greek yogurt, which everyone in my family loves to eat! This looks so delicious and a great addition to my fridge!
Rachel says
Thanks Eileen! I’ve been personally trying to substitute or cut mayo in a lot with Greek yogurt too!
joanie says
I was wondering if it’s vanilla or plain yogurt! thanks
Rachel says
Thanks for asking Joanie! It’s plain yogurt. I’ll update my ingredients list so that it’s more clear for others.
Jan Piwell says
Hi can’t wait to try these recipes. It’s great having healthy choices that look like you want to eat them.
Rachel says
I’m so happy to hear that this looks good to you Jan. Best of luck on making healthy choices in the New Year!