Creamy avocado salsa
A silky, pourable green salsa of avocado, tomatillo, coriander and lime. Cooling, tangy and gently hot.
Make this once, then cook it into 38 different dishes.
- Time20 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £0.31 a head
- Makesabout 550 ml, enough for 2 to 3 dishes for 4 people
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
If using fresh tomatillos, boil them with the whole chillies in water for 6 to 8 minutes until they turn olive and soft. Drain and cool for 5 minutes. If using tinned tomatillos, drain them and skip the cooking.
7 min - 2
Put the tomatillos, chillies, garlic, coriander, lime juice, salt and half the water in a blender. Blend until smooth.
- 3
Scoop in the avocado flesh and blend for 20 to 30 seconds until silky.
- 4
Add the rest of the water a spoonful at a time until it is as thick or thin as you like. Aim for a thick pourable cream.
- 5
Taste and add more salt, lime juice or chilli as needed. It should be bright, creamy and tangy.
- 6
Serve straight away, or press cling film onto the surface and chill. Use in the dish recipes that call for your ready made creamy avocado salsa.
About creamy avocado salsa
Creamy avocado salsa, or salsa de aguacate, is a smooth green Mexican table salsa made by blending avocado with tomatillos, fresh chillies, coriander, garlic and lime. It is thinner than guacamole, pourable like a sauce, and a fixture at taco stands and taquerias.
The avocado makes it cool and creamy, the tomatillos give a lemony tang, and the green chilli adds fresh heat. It is milder and richer than a cooked salsa verde, and it has a vivid pale green colour.
Spoon it over tacos, grilled chicken, carne asada, fish, quesadillas and eggs, or use it as a dip with tortilla chips. It also works as a salad dressing thinned with a little more water and lime. Make it just before serving where possible, as avocado browns on standing.
Tips
- Boil fresh tomatillos for 6 to 8 minutes or drain tinned ones before blending. Raw tomatillos make the salsa sharp and slightly slimy.
- Use ripe Hass avocados. Hard ones will give a bitter, gritty salsa and overripe ones taste off.
- Blend the avocado last and only until smooth. Over blending warms the avocado and makes it dull and bitter.
- Add the water gradually for the thickness you want: thicker as a dip, thinner as a sauce.
- To keep the colour, press cling film onto the surface and add extra lime juice. A thin layer of oil or water on top also helps.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten the same day. Press cling film directly onto the surface and chill for up to 2 days. Freeze for up to 1 month in small tubs with the surface sealed, although the texture will be slightly thinner on thawing; whisk it before using.
Dishes you can make with creamy avocado salsa
Coliflor Asada con Salsa Macha (Roast Cauliflower with Chilli Crunch)
GFEFNFColiflor Asada al Chipotle con Salsa de Aguacate (Roast Chipotle Cauliflower)
GFDFEFSalmon Glaseado al Chipotle con Salsa de Aguacate (Chipotle Salmon)
GFDFEFTacos de Arrachera (Skirt Steak Tacos with Avocado Salsa)
GFDFEFTacos de Tinga de Hongos (Smoky Chipotle Mushroom Tacos)
GFDFEFSopes de Frijol con Lechuga y Salsa de Aguacate (Bean Sopes)
GFDFEFQuesadillas de Champiñones al Ajillo con Salsa de Aguacate
GFEFNFTostadas de Camarón y Pepino (Prawn and Cucumber Tostadas)
DFEFNFTacos de Pescado a la Plancha (Griddled Fish Tacos with Cabbage)
DFEFNFPollo Asado Sinaloense con Arroz Rojo (Citrus Roast Chicken with Red Rice)
GFDFEFTorta de Milanesa de Pollo (Breaded Chicken Sandwich)
NFTacos de Rajas con Elote (Pepper and Sweetcorn Tacos)
DFEFNFQuestions
How long does avocado salsa last?
Up to 2 days in the fridge with cling film pressed onto the surface to keep the air out. It will darken slightly, so scrape off any browned top layer. Throw it away if it smells sour or looks slimy.
Can I freeze avocado salsa?
Yes, for up to 1 month. Seal it in an airtight container with no air at the top. After thawing, whisk it to bring it back together. It is better for tacos and sauces than as a chip dip.
How do I stop avocado salsa turning brown?
Browning is the avocado reacting with air. Add the lime juice, keep it chilled and press cling film directly onto the surface. A tight seal matters more than any trick with the stone.
What is the difference between avocado salsa and guacamole?
Guacamole is chunky mashed avocado used as a dip or topping. Avocado salsa is blended with tomatillos and water into a smooth, thin, pourable sauce.
Is avocado salsa vegan and gluten free?
Yes. It contains avocado, tomatillos, chilli, coriander, garlic, lime and salt, so it is vegan, gluten free, dairy free, egg free and nut free.
More base recipes
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.