Bright & Creamy Herb Dressing – A Flavorful Homemade Salad Dressing

If you love a dressing that’s herbaceous, tangy, and irresistibly creamy, this Bright & Creamy Herb Dressing is about to become your new favorite. Made with avocado oil mayo, organic sour cream, and a blend of fresh herbs, it’s packed with real, vibrant flavor—no preservatives, no inflammatory oils, just pure deliciousness.

This homemade creamy herb dressing is perfect for drizzling over hearty salads, spreading on sandwiches, or even using as a dip. The fennel and cayenne give it a subtle warmth that keeps you coming back for more. Plus, grinding your own fennel seeds (see tip below!) enhances the flavor and keeps it budget-friendly.

This homemade Bright & Creamy Herb Dressing is packed with fresh basil, cilantro, and chives, perfect for salads, sandwiches, and dips.

Why You’ll Love This Dressing

✔ Creamy & flavorful – Bright, herby, and perfectly tangy

✔ Made with avocado oil mayo – No seed oils or additives

✔ Versatile – A great salad dressing, sandwich spread, or dip

✔ Quick & easy – Ready in 5 minutes with simple ingredients

✔ Meal prep friendly – Keeps for 5 days in the fridge

Whole fennel seeds and freshly ground fennel bring bold, aromatic flavor to homemade recipes. Grinding spices fresh, like fennel, enhances their taste and aroma while keeping costs low.

What Makes This Dressing Special?

Freshly Ground Spices = Better Flavor

A small step that makes a huge difference in taste? Grinding your own spices.

Many pre-ground spices lose their flavor over time. I use an old coffee grinder to grind fennel seeds fresh, and the difference is night and day. Not only does this bring out the natural oils in the fennel (giving it a more intense and complex aroma), but it’s also cheaper than buying pre-ground spices!

If you’ve never tried freshly ground spices, start with just a few: fennel, cumin, coriander, and nutmeg are great ones to keep whole and grind as needed. I always grind my own fennel seeds for maximum flavor. If you’re looking for high-quality fennel seeds, this is the brand I use.

📌 Want to know more? Here’s a great article on why fresh spices matter****

Fresh herbs like basil, cilantro, and chives are the heart of this Bright & Creamy Herb Dressing. Combined with garlic and lemon, they create a bold, flavorful addition to any dish.

Why I Use Avocado Oil Mayo & Organic Dairy

When choosing ingredients, I prioritize both health and flavor.

✅ Avocado oil mayo – Unlike conventional mayo, which often contains inflammatory seed oils (like soybean or canola), avocado oil mayo is a healthier fat choice that supports good nutrition without unnecessary additives.

✅ Organic sour cream – Choosing organic dairy means no synthetic hormones (rBGH/rBST) and no antibiotics in the milk supply. Organic dairy cows are also pasture-raised, leading to better flavor and higher-quality fats in the final product. Whenever possible, grass-fed organic sour cream is the best option for both health and taste.

By using these high-quality ingredients, this dressing doesn’t just taste better—it’s better for you, too!

How to Use This Bright & Creamy Herb Dressing

This bold and flavorful dressing pairs best with hearty salads and sandwiches. Because of its creamy texture and strong herb flavor, you’ll want to pair it with ingredients that can stand up to it.

Salad Pairings:

• Red leaf lettuce, sliced red onion, tomato, cucumber, roasted chickpeas, avocado, and feta – A perfect balance of freshness and creaminess.

• Crunchy greens like romaine or massaged kale

• Rich add-ins like avocado, goat cheese, or grilled halloumi

• Protein boosts like grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu

Sandwich & Wrap Pairings:

• Grilled chicken or turkey sandwiches – Perfect on sourdough or hearty grain bread.

• Veggie wraps – Layer with roasted peppers, cucumbers, avocado, and feta.

• Avocado toast – Drizzle on top for extra flavor.

Yield: 6-8

Author: Candie Matthews

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Bright & Creamy Herb Dressing

Prep time: 5 MinTotal time: 5 Min

This Bright & Creamy Herb Dressing is a fresh, flavorful take on a classic green herb dressing, made with avocado oil mayo, organic sour cream, and a vibrant mix of basil, cilantro, and chives. Unlike store-bought dressings loaded with seed oils and preservatives, this homemade creamy herb dressing is made with real food ingredients for the best taste and quality. Plus, grinding your own fennel seeds enhances the flavor while keeping costs low (see the spice-grinding tip above!).This creamy herb dressing recipe is a must-try if you love bold, fresh flavors. Ready in just 5 minutes, it keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days—perfect for meal prep!

Ingredients

• ¼ cup (avocado oil) mayo
• ½ cup organic sour cream
• 1 cup mixed fresh herbs (basil, cilantro, and chives used here, but parsley, dill, or tarragon also work well)
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground fennel seed (see spice-grinding note below)
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (optional, for extra brightness)

Instructions

1. Grind the fennel seeds (if using whole seeds) for the best flavor. I recommend using a spice grinder or an old coffee grinder dedicated to spices.
2. Layer the ingredients in a blender or food processor in the following order for the smoothest blend: avocado oil mayo, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, ground fennel seed, cayenne, and lemon juice (if using).
3. Add the fresh herbs last to keep them vibrant and avoid over-processing.
4. Blend until smooth and creamy. If you prefer a thinner dressing, add a splash of water or extra olive oil and blend again.
5. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed—add more salt, lemon juice, or a dash of cayenne for extra brightness and spice.
6. Transfer to a jar or airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.

Notes

Serving Suggestions

This dressing is bold, herbaceous, and slightly spicy, so it pairs best with substantial ingredients in salads and sandwiches.

Salad Ideas:

For a balanced bite, make sure your salad includes at least one or two hearty ingredients to stand up to the dressing’s bold flavors. Here’s a great combo that worked well:

Red leaf lettuce, sliced red onion, tomato, cucumber, roasted chickpeas, avocado, and feta—the creaminess of the avocado and feta complements the tangy, herby dressing beautifully.

Other ingredients that work well:

• Crunchy elements: Roasted chickpeas, sunflower seeds, or toasted almonds
• Hearty greens: Romaine, kale (massaged), or arugula
• Rich add-ins: Avocado, goat cheese, feta, or grilled halloumi
• Protein boosts: Grilled chicken, shrimp, or marinated tofu

Sandwich & Wrap Pairings:

Because of its bold flavor, this dressing works well as a spread on sandwiches or wraps with strong ingredients. Try it with:

Grilled chicken or turkey sandwiches – pairs well with sourdough or a hearty grain bread

Veggie wraps with roasted peppers, cucumbers, avocado, and feta

🥑 Avocado toast with a drizzle on top for extra flavor

Nutrition Facts

Calories

168

Fat

18 g

Sat. Fat

4 g

Carbs

2 g

Fiber

1 g

Net carbs

2 g

Sugar

1 g

Protein

1 g

Sodium

134 mg

Cholesterol

11 mg

The nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please note that the actual nutritional content may vary depending on the exact ingredients and quantities used.