Name: Avocado Herb Green Sauce (Dairy free)
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: PT-481818H32M12S
Ingredients: 1 small avocado, diced; 1/2 cup cilantro; 1/2 cup parsley; 1 small jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced; 2 green onions, sliced; 1 clove garlic; Juice of one lime; 2 tablespoons rice vinegar; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/4 cup water, plus more as needed to thin

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This avocado herb green sauce is the best all purpose green sauce! Perfect for everything from tacos to salads. It has a creamy texture, is full of bright green flavor, and ready in only 5 minutes. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, Whole30, and paleo.

A spoon dipping into a small bowl of bright green avocado herb green sauce.

The best avocado herb green sauce

Oh, hey amazing-I-want-to-eat-you-with-everything green sauce!

Made with creamy avocado, parsley, cilantro, jalapeño, green onions, and lime juice, this stunning number is a flavor party in a bowl.

Similar to guacamole but different in that it’s a blended sauce, with more variety of herbs and flavors.

So so obsessed with this recipe that if our love of sauces had a soundtrack this would be the title track.

It’s been added to our breakfast plates, drizzled over tacos, and used as a dip for veggies and chips when happy hour rolls around.

So make some room in your fridge next to that jar of hot sauce because if you’re anything like us and love a delicious homemade condiment this is going to become a staple on your table too!

Why you’ll love this green sauce

It is:

Bright and flavorful
Super versatile
Luscious and creamy
Gluten free, dairy free, paleo, and Whole30
Made without mayo
Quick and easy to make
Herby and fresh
So delicious!

Side angle of avocado herb green sauce that shows the creamy texture of the finished sauce.

Ingredients for Avocado Herb Green Sauce in various ceramics, on a light cream colored background.

Ingredients and substitutions

This easy homemade sauce is made with a simple variety of fresh herbs, avocado, and fresh lime juice. But it is also a versatile and forgiving recipe, so feel free to use this as a guide and make substitutions as you like!

Here’s what you need

Avocado – Provides the creamy base for the sauce.
Fresh herbs – I typically use cilantro and parsley because they’re readily available and we almost always have them on hand in the refrigerator, but you could also use strictly one or the other, or swap one of them for basil for a more Mediterranean flavor profile.
Jalapeño – For a little kick of heat! Feel free to omit if you don’t want your sauce to be spicy.
Green onions – I love the bright zip of flavor that green onions add to the sauce, but feel free to omit or swap for a small amount of finely diced white or red onion.
Garlic – Just one clove is all you need!
Fresh lime juice – Fresh really is best! Can substitute with lemon juice or a little more vinegar.
Rice vinegar – Perfectly tart and slightly sweet, rice vinegar adds some lovely brightness to lift up all the other flavors. Extra citrus, apple cider vinegar, white or red wine vinegar can be used instead.
Olive oil – For an extra luscious texture.
Smoked paprika – A small amount for a bit of smoky flavor.
Salt and pepper – Seasoned to taste.
Water – This sauce can be made thick like a spread, or thinner to drizzle over salads or bowls by adding more or less water.

Can you make green sauce without cilantro?

If you or someone you’re cooking for don’t love cilantro, you can simply skip it and just use parsley! You could also swap it out for basil instead.

Is this avocado green sauce spicy?

Only a little bit. The exact level of spice will depend on how spicy the jalapeño you use is.

To make it less spicy: make sure to de-seed the jalapeño, or omit entirely.

To make it more spicy: consider using a serrano pepper instead of jalapeño, or add a pinch or two of cayenne pepper.

How to make avocado herb green sauce

Making the best homemade green sauce from scratch is really just about using the freshest ingredients and having the right tools. After that it’s so easy – and ready in less than 5 minutes!

Here’s the step-by-step

Add all ingredients to the bowl of a food processor or blender container and process until smooth, stopping as needed to scrape down the sides. Add more water to thin if desired, and season to taste with salt.
Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator until ready to use!

Serving suggestions

This sauce is as versatile as it is delicious. From lunch to dinner to snacking it’s a delightfully bright and flavorful addition to so many different types of meals!

Here’s some suggestions

With your favorite Mexican dish – on tacos, quesadillas, fajitas, nachos or tamales.
Thinned to the consistency of salad dressing and drizzled over your favorite salad or buddha bowl.
Over top grilled seafood like salmon or shrimp.
With chicken, pork, or flank steak.
As a condiment for your breakfast plate.
Alongside grilled or roasted vegetables.
As a dipping sauce for fresh cut veggies or tortilla chips.
Add less water so it’s thicker and use as a spread for sandwiches or grilled bread.

How long will it last in the refrigerator?

This sauce should keep in the refrigerator in a covered container for 2-3 days.

Because of the avocado the shade of green will darken over time, so it’s best eaten within the first day or two of being made.

Close up shot of a spoon dipping into a shallow bowl of green sauce to show the texture.

Blackened salmon tacos with avocado herb green sauce.

Pinterest pin for avocado herb green sauce.

What to make with leftover herbs

Keeping fresh herbs in the refrigerator is one of my favorite kitchen hacks for making delicious food easy, but I hate seeing them go bad before they have a chance to be used.

If you have some leftover herbs from making this green sauce you might want to try one of these recipes!

Want some more delicious sauces for your meal prep? Try these recipes!

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Thank you for sharing your kitchen with NK! We’re so grateful you’re here.