Easy Vegan Ranch Dressing (Oil-Free!)
User Reviews
4.6
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Prep Time
35 mins
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Total Time
35 mins
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Servings
11 (2-Tbsp servings)
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Calories
69 kcal
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Course
Condiments
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Cuisine
Vegan
Easy Vegan Ranch Dressing (Oil-Free!)
Description
The dressing is prepared by soaking raw cashews in hot or cool water to soften, then blending them with almond milk curdled with lemon juice, garlic, onion powder, apple cider vinegar, and maple syrup for balance. Fresh or dried dill, parsley, and chives are pulsed in to distribute the herbal notes without fully pureeing them, offering flecks of herb throughout.
Once blended, the dressing can be used right away or refrigerated for a few hours to thicken and meld flavors. It can be thinned later with additional almond milk or water as needed. Seasonings such as lemon juice or vinegar can be adjusted for acidity, and maple syrup for sweetness. This dressing is suitable for salads, dips, or as a condiment and provides a dairy-free alternative to traditional ranch dressings.
Ingredients
DRESSING
- 1 cup cashew nuts soaked in hot water 30 minutes, or overnight in cool water, raw
- 2/3 cup almond milk or sub water, unsweetened
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic peeled
- 1/2 tsp salt plus more to taste, sea salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1 1/4 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2-1 tsp maple syrup (or other sweetener of choice to taste)
HERBS
- 1 Tbsp dill or 2 tsp dried, fresh minced
- 1 Tbsp parsley optional, fresh, minced
- 1 tsp chive or 1/2 the amount dried chives // optional, fresh
Instructions
- Soak cashews in very hot water for 30 minutes -1 hour (or overnight in cool water). While cashews are soaking, measure out almond milk and add lemon juice and set aside to curdle (this makes your vegan “buttermilk”).
- Drain and rinse cashews several times and drain again. Then transfer to a small blender (a blender is preferred over a food processor for achieving a smooth texture) and add almond buttermilk, garlic, salt, pepper, onion powder, vinegar, and maple syrup. Blend on high for 1-2 minutes or until very creamy and smooth.
- Add herbs and pulse several times to incorporate (you don’t want it fully puréed).
- Taste and adjust flavor, as needed, adding more salt for saltiness, maple syrup for sweetness, lemon juice or vinegar for acidity, garlic for garlic flavor, or herbs for a more herbal flavor.
- Use immediately at room temperature or refrigerate for 3-4 hours to chill. It will thicken in the refrigerator, so you can add more almond milk or water later on to thin if needed.
- Enjoy with vegetables, salads, cauliflower wings, or pizza! Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 7-10 days. Not freezer friendly (will likely separate upon thawing).
Notes
- The recipe yields about 1 1/3 cups of dressing as written.
- Nutrition estimates are rough and based on using less maple syrup and excluding optional ingredients.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 11(2-Tbsp servings)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 69 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1(2-Tbsp servings) | |
| Calories | 69 | 3% |
| Carbohydrates | 4g | 1% |
| Protein | 2.3g | 5% |
| Fat | 5.3g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.91g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.96g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2.9g | 15% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 118mg | 5% |
| Potassium | 93mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 0.4g | 2% |
| Sugar | 0.9g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 63IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 0.91mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 35.05mg | 4% |
| Iron | 0.87mg | 5% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.6
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