| | |

Fast and Easy Avocado Dip Recipe

Sharing is caring!

Indulge in the goodness of creamy avocado dip with this simple and satisfying Mexican-inspired recipe. Crafted from fresh, wholesome simple ingredients, this quick snack is a healthy and delicious way to enjoy avocados.

Whether you’re looking for a zesty appetizer for your next dinner party or a fantastic spread for sandwiches, this homemade creamy avocado dip recipe will be your new go-to, adding a delightful twist to your Mexican food cravings.

Bowl of avocado dip.

Fresh avocado dip is not only a good source of healthy fats, but it is also really easy to make. The hardest part is selecting the avocadoes, so let’s first take a look at what to look for when buying avocados.

How To Find the Perfect Avocado

Selecting the right avocados is crucial to making a delicious avocado dip. Here are some tips to help you make the best selection:

Check for Ripeness: Gently squeeze the avocado. It should yield slightly to gentle pressure but not feel overly mushy. If it’s too firm, it’s underripe; if it’s too soft, it’s overripe.
Examine the Stem: If the small stem at the top of the avocado comes off easily and it is green underneath, the avocado is ripe. If it’s brown, it might be overripe and you should not buy it.
Look at the Skin: Examine the skin for any deep indentations or large blemishes. Minor surface imperfections are okay, but extensive damage may indicate overripeness.
Color Matters: While the skin color varies between avocado varieties, ripe avocados generally have dark, consistent coloring. However, Hass avocados, the most common variety, turn from green to purplish-black when ripe.
Size Matters: Choose avocados that are the right size for your intended use. Smaller ones are ideal for single servings or small dips, while larger ones are great for guacamole or making larger batches of dip.
Know Your Varieties: Familiarize yourself with different avocado varieties, as their textures and ripening times can vary. Hass avocados are the most common and widely available.
Avoid Bruises: Be cautious of avocados with visible bruises, soft spots, or dark indentations, as these may indicate spoilage.

Woman's hand holding a sliced avocado.

Consider Your Timeline: If you plan to use the avocados immediately, select ripe ones. If you want to use them in a day or two, choose slightly underripe avocados and allow them to ripen at home.
Buy in Stages: If you need avocados for different occasions, purchase a mix of ripe and slightly underripe ones. This way, you can enjoy them at various stages of ripeness.

Ingredients

For this whole food, plant-based dip, you need the following ingredients:

  • Avocadoes
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Lime juice
  • Garlic powder
  • Cumin
  • Salt-free seasoning
  • Hot pepper sauce
Avocados and seasonings.

How To Make Avocado Dip

To make it, you start by mashing the avocado in a bowl with a fork. You can leave a few large chunks if you’d like.

Next, mix in the cilantro, lime juice, garlic powder, cumin, salt-free seasoning, and hot pepper sauce.

Mashed avocados, seasonings, and herbs in a large bowl.

You can slather it on toast for a creamy spin on avocado toast, use it as a sandwich spread, or use it to dip veggies.

How To Store Leftover Dip

The best way to store avocado dip and keep it fresh is to minimize exposure to air, which can cause oxidation and turn the dip brown (see below). After preparing the dip, transfer it to an airtight container, pressing a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the dip to create a seal.

This helps to prevent contact with air and preserves its vibrant green color. Then, seal the container with a lid. Refrigerate the avocado dip promptly, and it can typically stay fresh for a couple of days. 

If you need to store it for longer, you can also freeze avocado dip. Place it in an airtight container, leaving a little space at the top for expansion, and store it in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When ready to use, thaw it in the refrigerator and give it a good stir before serving.

How do you keep avocado dip from turning brown?

Air is avocado dip’s worst enemy. To minimize the oxidation of the avocadoes in this dip, place plastic wrap directly on the top of the dip and make sure that there are no air pockets. Sprinkling lime juice on the top of the avocado dip before wrapping it with plastic wrap will further help to reduce browning.

Scoop of avocado dip on a tortilla chip.

13 Ways To Use Avocado Dip

  1. Tortilla Chips: Classic and crunchy, tortilla chips are a popular choice for dipping into avocado dip.
  2. Fresh Vegetables: Serve avocado dip with a colorful assortment of fresh veggies like carrot sticks, celery, cucumber slices, bell pepper strips, and cherry tomatoes.
  3. Pita Bread or Pita Chips: Cut pita bread into triangles and lightly toast them to make pita chips, or use soft pita bread for dipping.
  4. Crackers: Choose your favorite crackers, such as whole wheat, multigrain, or even flavored varieties, to complement the creamy dip.
  5. Nachos: Create a Tex-Mex-inspired treat by dipping tortilla chips into avocado dip, then topping with salsa, shredded cheese, and jalapeños.
  6. Taco or Quesadilla Dip: Use avocado dip as a delicious accompaniment for tacos, quesadillas, or burritos.
  7. Fish Tacos: Spread avocado dip on warm tortillas before adding grilled or fried fish, lettuce, tomatoes, and a squeeze of lime for a refreshing twist on fish tacos.
  8. Burgers or Sandwiches: Use avocado dip as a flavorful spread for burgers, sandwiches, or wraps instead of mayonnaise.
  9. Grilled Meats: Pair avocado dip with grilled chicken, steak, or shrimp for a creamy and tangy contrast.
  10. Salads: Drizzle avocado dip over salads as a creamy dressing or use it as a base for a unique salad dressing by mixing it with a bit of olive oil and vinegar.
  11. Eggs: Top your scrambled eggs, omelets, or breakfast burritos with a dollop of avocado dip for a creamy and zesty morning treat.
  12. Sushi Rolls: Dip sushi rolls into avocado dip for a delightful fusion of flavors.
  13. Baked Potatoes: Use avocado dip as a healthier alternative to sour cream or butter when topping baked potatoes.
Bowl of avocado dip.

Fresh Avocado Dip

Lynda – Southern Kissed
You can't go wrong with avocado dip. It's the perfect appetizer or sandwich spread, and it tastes delicious served alongside vegetables!
4 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Appetizers
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4
Calories 276 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups avocado chopped, from 2 avocados
  • ¼ cup cilantro fresh, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon salt-free seasoning
  • 6 drops hot pepper sauce

Instructions
 

  • Mash the avocado in a bowl with a fork until desired consistency.
  • Mix in the cilantro, lime juice, garlic powder, ground cumin, salt-free seasoning, and hot pepper sauce.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

Nutrition per ¼ cup serving: Calories: 98 kcal Sodium: 6 mg Potassium: 301 mg Magnesium: 17 mg Calcium: 9 mg Fat: 9 g (EPA 0g, DHA 0g, ALA <1g) Saturated Fat: 1 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Carbohydrate: 5 g Dietary fiber: 4 g Sugars: <1 g Protein: 1 g
 
Recipe by Janet Bond Brill, Ph.D., R.D., LDN, author of Blood Pressure Down: The 10-Step Plan to Lower Your Blood Pressure in 4 Weeks — Without Prescription Drugs and reprinted with permission.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 276kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 3gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 19gSodium: 200mgFiber: 11gSugar: 1g
Tried this recipe?Mention @SouthernKissed or tag #SouthernKissed!

Blood Pressure Down:  The 10-Step Plan to Lower Your Blood Pressure in 4 Weeks

According to the CDC, 67 million Americans have hypertension, more commonly known as high blood pressure. Take a look around you – one out of three people have it. The bad news is that many are unaware because they are often asymptomatic. The good news is that for many people it can be controlled without medication.

In her book Blood Pressure Down:  The 10-Step Plan to Lower Your Blood Pressure in 4 Weeks – Without Prescription Drugs, Janet Bond Brill discusses ways that people with hypertension might be able to lower their blood pressure.

The first two chapters explain to the reader anatomy and physiology in an easy to understand way. Ms. Brill discusses how blood pressure is measured and problems that can arise from uncontrolled hypertension.

The Blood Pressure Down plan is a combination approach of losing a little bit of weight, eating six types of foods, and exercising developed from her extensive research on the best ways to naturally reduce blood pressure.

In brief, her steps are:

  • Lose Five Pounds
  • Cut the Salt
  • Eat Bananas
  • Eat Spinach
  • Eat Yogurt
  • Eat Soy
  • Eat Dark Chocolate
  • Drink Red Wine
  • Take Four Supplements
  • Exercise

What I like is how in-depth she goes into why you should do the above. While I have good blood pressure (113/79), I know others who do not or who are at risk due to genetics and lifestyle/dietary choices.

I know that my magnesium intake is low and through this book, I now have some good ideas on how to boost my intake naturally. Also, after reading this book it makes me keenly aware that although my blood pressure is good, my dietary habits are not and if I don’t take control now, I could very well end up hypertensive.

The appendix includes a Ten-Step Daily Checklist, a sample day illustrating lifestyle strategies in combination, a graph to track one’s blood pressure, BMI (Body Mass Index) formula, Mineral Pocket Charts, heart-healthy recipes, and more.

This book provides a wealth of information about blood pressure and steps that can be taken to possibly lower it without medication. Remember before starting any exercise/diet program to check with your physician.

I loved this guacamole spread on homemade bread with vine-ripened tomatoes and lettuce. It was a great meat-free sandwich that tasted awesome. (Sorry the photo was not better – I had a hard time restraining myself from eating it as long as I did.)

Bowl of avocado dip.

Author Bio
Janet Bond Brill, Ph.D., R.D., LDN, author of Blood Pressure Down: The 10-Step Plan to Lower Your Blood Pressure in 4 Weeks — Without Prescription Drugs, is a nationally recognized expert in cardiovascular disease prevention and the author of Cholesterol Down and Prevent a Second Heart Attack. She has been a nutritionist in private practice for many years.

dr-janet-bril-2-large

Got avocados? Be sure to check out the recipe for Dominican Avocado Salad. It’s another simple, wholesome recipe using fresh avocados.

Similar Posts

22 Comments

  1. Lowering stress levels is really important as well. That’s how I initially found out I had high blood pressure was from a really stressful run of events – then bam! Wake up call! Getting some exercise would help relieve some of that stress – the key is making the time!

    By the way – love the “Verify your real existence” exercise – cute alternative to the other capchtas! : )

  2. I need to pick this up for my mom. She has been struggling with high blood pressure for years.

  3. I really need to get this book. I have high blood pressure on occasion. I don’t take prescription drugs and am trying to get it down naturally.

  4. Sounds like a great book. And hey any book that encourages eating dark chocolate and drinking wine I am all for.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating