Plant-Based Ranch Dressing Recipe (2024)

Finally! The perfect vegan, oil-free ranch dressing.

Plant-Based Ranch Dressing Recipe (1)

I can’t say for certain that EVERYBODY loves ranch dressing, but I can say that it’s generally well-liked and it’s always a safe option to serve to a crowd. It’s certainly less divisive than other contentious dressings (looking at you, blue cheese). Ranch is an all-purpose, multi-talented dressing, beloved on everything from salads and crudités to wings and subs. But, is it possible to make it healthierand create a plant-based ranch dressing recipe?

Of course, being vegan will shake up your relationship with ranch a bit. Quality vegan ranch dressings can be hard to find in stores. Even when you can find them, the taste and texture doesn’t always meet expectations your expectations. The plight of the vegan ranch lover is real, you guys.Fortunately, for all you down-trodden vegan ranch fans, I have the long-awaited solution. With that, I present to you this vegan, plant-based ranch dressing recipe. Ready to have all your problems solved forever?

Make Salad without Dairy

Plant-Based Ranch Dressing Recipe (2)

Alright, so maybe an plant-based ranch dressing recipe won’t solve ALL of your problems forever, but I can guarantee it will definitely satisfy your need for a quality, vegan ranch.

You see, in my house, ranch dressing was an undisputed necessity. My mother regularly kept the fridge stocked with a wide variety of other dressing options, which we politely laid out on the table every evening. We all knew which dressing everyone would reach for first, though! When we finally ran out of ranch (naturally, it was always the first to go), we would stand the bottle upside down in the fridge to make sure we got every last drop. Meanwhile, there was always an extra bottle in the pantry; honestly, I’m not sure there was ever a time our mother let us run out of ranch.

All this to say that I know how important it is to have a quality ranch dressing on-hand. In this day and age, there’s really no reason you should have to settle for a less-than-stellar dressing just because you’re a vegan. After all, isn’t salad something we should be able to count on to include plant-based ingredients?

The Recipe

Plant-Based Ranch Dressing Recipe (3)

This plant-based ranch dressing recipe is ready to help make salad vegan again. It’s full of creamy, tangy flavors that taste just like the original.The real secret here is cashews, an incredible nut that makes dairy-free living bearable again.

Chances are good that you’ve made vegan cheese or dairy-free sour cream using cashews if you’re into clean-eating or vegan cooking. After soaking these nuts, you puree them together with water and spices. The flavor and textures comes together to make a perfect dairy replacement. This recipe is an absolute godsend for vegan cooking!

You can use this ranch to flavor up your favoritebaked potatoes, or use it as a dressing for vegetable trays, crackers, baked french fries, orcorn on the cob. If you want to make thedelicious High Protein Plant-Based Saladfeatured in the above photo, just toss this plant-based ranch dressing recipe with the following ingredients:

  • Tempeh
  • Walnuts
  • Butter Lettuce
  • Celery
  • Corn
  • Dried Cranberries

And that’s it! This super simple, plant-based ranch dressing recipe will get you the tasty, vegan ranch you’ve been waiting for. That’s at least one problem solved forever.

5 from 3 votes

Plant-Based Ranch Dressing Recipe

This Vegan Ranch Dressing is a must-have in your kitchen, with a wonderful combination of ingredients and flavors.

Review Recipe PIN RECIPE Print Recipe

Prep Time 35 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Yield 32 people

Serving Size 1 tablespoon

Cuisine American

Author Gale Compton

Plant-Based Ranch Dressing Recipe (4)

Review Recipe PIN RECIPE Print Recipe

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

  • 1 cup cashews raw
  • 2 cups water for soaking
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 1/4 cup chives finely diced
  • 3/4 cup purified water
  • 1/4 cup parsley freshly chopped

Instructions

  • Soak cashews in the 2 cups water for 30 minutes, drain, and rinse.

  • Add cashews and the remaining ingredients, except chives and parsley, to a blender. Pulse until a creamy consistency.

  • Stir chives and parsley into the mixture, pour in a glass container with lid. Refrigerate over night for best results.

Notes

The dressing will thicken slightly over night. Add additional water if desired.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 25kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 31mg |

SmartPoints (Freestyle): 1

Keywords dairy-free, Diabetic-Friendly, Gluten-Free, Keto, Kid-Friendly, Low-Carb, Paleo, Plant-Based, Vegan, Vegetarian

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More Plant-Based Oil-Free Salad Dressing Recipes:

6 Plant-Based Oil-Free Salad Dressing Recipes

If you’re looking for more vegan, plant-based options, look no further. Included here are 6 easy and delicious oil-free recipes, many of which are probably new to you! Dress up your salads with these exciting (and totally plant-based) flavors.

We have healthy recipes for all meals and all seasons. Follow us on Pinterest and Instagram and let us help you meet all your healthy living goals!

Plant-Based Ranch Dressing Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is Hidden Valley plant-based ranch vegan? ›

The Ranch Alternatives Family

Turn up the heat with Hidden Valley's Spicy Plant Powered Ranch dressing. The exceptional flavor of this creamy vegan, dairy and gluten free dressing is sure to be a fan favorite.

How long does vegan ranch last? ›

This vegan ranch dressing stores well in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 12 days!

What is vegan ranch made of? ›

In a high-speed blender, place the cashews, water, cucumber, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and dill and blend until completely smooth and creamy. Season to taste with more salt, if desired. Sprinkle with fresh chives and serve.

How do you make bottled Hidden Valley Ranch better? ›

If you don't have time or inclination to make your dressing from scratch, but you want that elevated restaurant-style ranch, think about zhuzhing up the bottled version with things like finely chopped shallot or scallion, a clove of minced fresh garlic, a splash of buttermilk or dollop of sour cream if you have them ...

Why is ranch dressing not vegan? ›

Traditional ranch dressings contain mayo though, so are not vegan. There are vegan ranch dressing brands out there, but they are full of oil and unhealthy ingredients. Better to just make your own!

Is Chick Fil A avocado ranch vegan? ›

Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing

This item contains dairy, egg. View all Chick-fil-A® allergen information here.

Does Trader Joe's have vegan ranch? ›

Trader Joe's Vegan Ranch Dip Nutritional Info

For a two-tablespoon serving, it's 100 calories, 11 grams of fat, four grams of saturated fat, 115 milligrams of sodium, only one gram of carbs, and zero grams of fiber, sugar, and protein.

Why is mayonnaise not vegan? ›

Because mayonnaise has egg in it, it's not vegan. A food product that's vegan is made without any animal products. Instead of eggs, commercial vegan mayonnaise brands may use aquafaba, which is the thick liquid from cooking or soaking chickpeas.

Why is restaurant ranch dressing so good? ›

The secret that many restaurants have up their sleeves is seasoning mix. Well-known brands make dry counterparts to their bottled ranch that encapsulate all the flavors, including powdered buttermilk, with none of the additives and oils.

What kind of ranch dressing do most restaurants use? ›

Because while some restaurants do use a bottled shelf stable dressing, what you are referring to is a powdered ranch mix (typically the Hidden Valley brand) that the restaurant cooks add milk/ buttermilk and sour cream to make their dressing.

Why does Hidden Valley Ranch taste different? ›

The ranch packet has a fresher taste, because you add your own mayo and milk. Even though all the herbs and spices in the mix are dried, they rehydrate quickly and leave you with a product that feels homemade. This version of Hidden Valley Ranch is more flavorful than the bottled version and much, much thicker.

Is plant-based menu vegan? ›

Both meal plans have made headlines for their health benefits in recent years, and while they are similar, there are some key differences: Vegan diets eliminate all animal products, while plant-based diets do not necessarily eliminate animal products but focus on eating mostly plants, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, ...

What salad dressings are vegan? ›

Enjoy these creamy vegan salad dressings, which are available at a grocery store near you:
  • Kraft. That's right—even Kraft has “accidentally vegan” creamy salad dressings, including Classic or Zesty Catalina and Fat Free Creamy French. ...
  • Trader Joe's. ...
  • Follow Your Heart. ...
  • Newman's Own. ...
  • Organicville. ...
  • Annie's. ...
  • Daiya. ...
  • Hilary's.

Does plant-based mean non dairy? ›

Plant-based or plant-forward eating patterns focus on foods primarily from plants. This includes not only fruits and vegetables, but also nuts, seeds, oils, whole grains, legumes, and beans. It doesn't mean that you are vegetarian or vegan and never eat meat or dairy.

Is plant-based chicken vegan? ›

Vegan chicken is a food product designed to mimic the texture and taste of chicken meat. It is generally made from ingredients like vital wheat gluten, vegetable protein, and soy protein. It's usually fashioned into patties, nuggets, or roasts.

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