5.0 from 51 votes
Creamy Cilantro Sunflower Seed Dressing
Easy, creamy sunflower seed dressing with fresh lemon, garlic, and cilantro. Gluten-free, plant-based, and perfect for salads and bowls. Just 5 ingredients, 1 blender, and 10 minutes required!
Prep Time
10 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings: 4 (2-Tbsp servings)
Calories: 56 kcal
Course:
Condiments
Cuisine:
International
Ingredients
DRESSING
- 1/4 cup raw unsalted sunflower seeds
- 3 Tbsp lemon juice (~1 large lemon)
- 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves (or sub another soft herb such as basil, parsley, or dill)
- 2 small cloves garlic (1 small clove = 4 g)
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/3 cup water
FOR SERVING optional
- mixed greens
- Sliced veggies (cucumber, red bell pepper, radish, etc.)
- Rinsed and drained black beans
Instructions
- A small blender works best for making this recipe as written. If using a large, upright blender, triple the batch. If you have a powerful blender, there’s no need to soak the sunflower seeds and you can proceed to the next step. If you do not have a powerful blender, soak sunflower seeds in hot water for at least 30 minutes, then drain.
- To a small blender, add all ingredients (sunflower seeds, lemon juice, cilantro, garlic, salt, and water). Blend on high until creamy and smooth.
- Taste and adjust as needed, adding more lemon juice for acidity, garlic for zing, fresh cilantro for herby flavor, sea salt to taste, or water to thin (keeping in mind it will dilute the flavor and the dressing will thicken once in the refrigerator).
- We like serving on a simple side salad of mixed greens and sliced veggies. Black beans can be added for protein and fiber. Or serve over grain and veggie bowls!
- Leftover dressing will keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Not freezer friendly.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- *Recipe as written makes ~1/2 cup (120 ml) dressing. *Prep time does not include soaking sunflower seeds (which is optional). *Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated without optional ingredients.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1two-tablespoon serving
Calories
56
(3%)
Carbohydrates
3.1g
(1%)
Protein
2g
(4%)
Fat
4.5g
(7%)
Saturated Fat
0.4g
(2%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
1.6g
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
0mg
(0%)
Sodium
148mg
(6%)
Potassium
74mg
(2%)
Fiber
0.9g
(4%)
Sugar
0.5g
(1%)
Vitamin A
90IU
(2%)
Vitamin C
5.4mg
(6%)
Calcium
11.4mg
(1%)
Iron
0.5mg
(3%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4(2-Tbsp servings)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 56
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1two-tablespoon serving | |
| Calories | 56 | 3% |
| Carbohydrates | 3.1g | 1% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 4.5g | 7% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.4g | 2% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1.6g | 8% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 148mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 74mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 0.9g | 4% |
| Sugar | 0.5g | 1% |
| Vitamin A | 90IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 5.4mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 11.4mg | 1% |
| Iron | 0.5mg | 3% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.