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

What is plant based ranch made of? ›

This 10-ingredient, 1-bowl recipe is made with items you likely already have on hand: cashews, lemon, spices, vinegar, and herbs. It starts with soaked cashews for the ultimate creamy base. We tested hemp seeds but found their flavor a little overpowering. So good ol' cashews it is!

Is plant based ranch dressing good for you? ›

The truth is that a plant-based salad dressing is much better for you: less fat, no cholesterol, and more nutrients. Besides, this stunning Ranch Dressing does not sacrifice taste, texture, or creaminess.

Why is ranch dressing not vegan? ›

If you are a Ranch Dressing fan like I am you'll know that most of the store-bought options are not vegan or oil-free. The base of most ranch recipes will be mayo or sour cream, both of which include dairy or eggs.

Is Hidden Valley ranch dressing 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.

Does vegan ranch taste like regular ranch? ›

It tastes like the real deal (but better).

The vegan mayo adds the requisite creamy tang with just a subtle hint of sweetness. And using fresh garlic, dill, and chives adds tons of sharp, garlicky, herby flavor that are mandatory in a ranch dressing.

Is Ranch healthier than hummus? ›

Whether made with chickpeas or edamame, hummus gives you lots of fiber and protein, and, thanks to the olive oil, healthy fat. While it can be comparable to ranch dressing calorie-wise, the substitution is much more meaningful.

Can vegans eat hummus? ›

Hummus is a vegan staple that allows you to have some versatility in your diet. It's an immensely popular food amongst vegans so you may have found a new favourite yourself. It's available in a wide range of flavours and is very versatile in the kitchen so you can experiment with it if you wish to.

Why not to eat ranch dressing? ›

Ranch dressing contains 320 milligrams of sodium in a two-tablespoon serving. Eating this much sodium on a regular basis could lead to heart health issues like high blood pressure and increased risk of heart disease.

Is peanut butter vegan? ›

The bottom line. Most types of peanut butter are free of animal products and can be enjoyed as part of a vegan diet. However, some varieties are made in facilities that also process animal products or contain refined sugar that was produced using bone char or non-vegan ingredients like honey or fish oil.

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.

Is Olive Garden salad dressing vegan? ›

Is Olive Garden dressing vegan? The famous house salad comes with tomatoes, olives, onions, and pepperoncini, though the default dressing from the menu has both eggs and romano cheese. Instead, grab the olive oil and vinegar for your salad.

How many calories are in plant-based ranch dressing? ›

This cashew based vegan ranch dressing, is less than 100 calories for a 1/4 cup!!! If you read the back of a typical bottle of dressing at the store, it's around 250 calories for only 2 tablespoons (1/8 cup).

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.

What is Hidden Valley ranch made of? ›

Over the years, Steve had been perfecting his signature salad dressing, a tangy blend of buttermilk, savory herbs and spices. His ranch guests couldn't get enough of the stuff, and Hidden Valley Ranch dressing was invented.

Is sour cream plant-based? ›

No, as it's generally made from cow's milk, sour cream is not suitable for anyone on a vegan diet. However, there are plenty of plant-based alternatives that skip out the diary bit.

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