This Dairy Free Ranch Dressing recipe is rich and creamy and simple to make. So fun and creative and then use this vegan homemade ranch dressing on tacos, appetizers, salads, as a dip and so much more.
Whether it is the beginning of a new year or hovering around the holidays I am always trying to be my best self. One of the ways I can do this is by improving the way I eat.
Do you know you can have a plant-based ranch dressing with just a speck of the fats as the original? It's true!
I've mentioned before that we get a lot of families visiting throughout the year.
Something that I have missed having on hand is ranch dressing. My husband doesn't use it and I am vegan so those are good reasons why it doesn't show up in our refrigerator.
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I remember, way back when, that I use to really like ranch dressing and for some reason, it seems to have become a favorite for the whole world. At least in my little world.
Since I have become so adventurous this year with homemade condiments such as my vegan mayo, Homemade Almond Mayonnaise, I thought why not tackle ranch dressing.
Is ranch dressing vegan
Ranch has become one of the most popular condiments. I even have a nephew who will take it over ketchup any time.
But the original is not even close to being vegan. Luckily it is easy to make homemade ranch dressing and you can use it by the jarful just like everybody else.
What are some ways to use ranch dressing
- Spread it on pizza crust or flatbread for a pizza.
- Use it as a dip for sweet potato fries, french fries, and zucchini chips.
- As a dip for roasted Brussels sprouts.
- In a southwest style lettuce wrap.
- Drizzled over roasted red potatoes.
- As a dip for buffalo cauliflower bites.
- In a baked rice casserole.
- Mixed into your favorite hummus.
- Tossed in a bowtie pasta salad.
- Tossed with pumpkin seeds and spices to roast for a snack.
- Add a dollop and mix it into mashed potatoes.
- Drizzle it on grilled corn on the cob.
- Grill small red or gold potatoes that have been cut in half and then skewered. After the kebab gets to your plate drizzle ranch all over the potatoes.
- Use it as a spread on a bean burger.
In fact, check out these Ranch Cauliflower Tacos! They are so good and unique!
It was fun trying to figure out the seasonings for this dairy free ranch dressing recipe. I figured there was dill and probably a vinegar but the other seasonings were a hit and miss. Even when I missed they weren't too bad.
Finally, a perfect mix and the subtle flavor of apple cider vinegar really makes this ranch dressing a favorite
It is easy and delicious. I hope you will give it a try.
Ingredients
- Cashews are a favorite addition to fresh flavors and protein. They turn out creamy with no waste when blended.
- Dairy-free milk adds flavor and the necessary liquid for this creamy dressing.
- Apple cider vinegar has a mild tang flavor and is delicious in dressings as a substitute for sharper red vinegar.
- Maple syrup is that healthier sweetener that we all love.
- Onion powder is powerful so a little goes a long way and adds a lot of flavor.
- Dries parsley has a bit of a peppery taste.
- Chives add another nice and necessary underlying flavor.
- Dried dill weed adds a surprising tangy flavor.
- Ground black pepper is very spicy so don't use much but you need it.
Instructions
- Soak the cashews for at least an hour. If you have a fancy high speed blender or food processor then you can skip the soaking.
- Drain and put the soaked cashews in a food processor.
- Add all of the remaining ingredients. Process until smooth.
- Check the thickness. Add more dairy-free milk, if needed, to get the consistency of dressing.
- Pour into a container and store in the refrigerator.
- The flavors will meld after resting in the refrigerator for a couple of hours but you can still use it immediately.
FAQ's
It lasts surprisingly long. About 2 weeks but I don't think you'll have it that long.
Not really. Cashews have too many carbs for you to enjoy freely.
This dairy free ranch dressing recipe is! It's vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free and soy-free if you don't use soy milk.
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📋 Recipe
Dairy Free Ranch Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 cup cashews - soaked in water for at least an hour
- ¾ cup dairy-free milk - I used Almondmilk
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried chives
- ½ teaspoon dried dill weed
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Drain and put the soaked cashews in a food processor. Add all of the remaining ingredients. Process until smooth.
- Add more dairy-free milk, if needed, to get the consistency of dressing.
- The flavors will meld after resting in the refrigerator for a couple of hours but you can still use it immediately.
- Pour into container and store in refrigerator.
Video
Nutrition
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files
I have always been on a hunt for a good dairy free dressing and this looks perfect!
Rose | The Clean Dish
Heck yah!! Dairy free ranch dressing rules!! I love your recipe, it's nice and simple. Can't wait to try it!!
Sheila
Any suggestions for avoiding the cashews? I have to EXTREMELY limit nuts (low-oxalate diet for kidney stones) and cashews are the one nut my son tested allergic for.
I may have to tinker with the seasonings on fries and things at least. Maybe plain coconut milk yogurt as the base? (Hubs LOVES ranch, and I love the seasonings, but can't find a non-dairy compromise that doesn't sit squarely in a different allergy.)
Ginny McMeans
Hi Sheila, I have not done this but I think it will work great. Substitute almonds for the cashews. Do exactly what the recipe calls for, including soaking the almonds, and I think it will be great. I want to try this too!
Nutmeg Nanny
This dressing looks delicious. Love that it's dairy free.
Anita
What a great alternative to traditional ranch dressing!
kellie @ The Suburban Soapbox
Love that this is dairy free! I am a ranch addict so this will help curb some of my calories.
Amanda @ The Kitcheneer
I agree with Kellie! I too am addicted to ranch, definitely need this in my life to cut some of the calories!
Sea
This dressing is a tad on the sweet side. I used Agave nectar instead of maple syrup because I didn't want maple to over power the overall flavour. Maybe about 1/2 Tbs instead of 1 Tbs would be perfect! Great recipe!!
Ginny McMeans
Thanks for your input Sea and thanks for your support. 🙂
Anonymous
My pleasure! I should have said that I found it sweet, not that it is, because we all have different tastes. I'm adding some lemon juice to balance it out so we'll see what happens when it's sat for a bit. The other ones I've made were so bland lol
Sues
I love making my own salad dressings and while I don't have any problems with dairy, I LOVE that this is made with cashews!
Brian Jones
Ranch dressing is not something very common on this side of the Atlantic, the flavours all sound great though!
Emily
Nothing is better than homemade ranch dressing! I love that your version is dairy free!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati
Love how easy and simple this recipe is. The use of cashews definitely makes it so creamy and tasty!
Tania | Fit Foodie Nutter
I love making homemade dressing and your recipe sounds so good! Love how versatile it is too. Thank you for sharing.
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables
I've been trying to cut back on dairy and I've been looking for salad dressing options. This recipe is perfect!
Leah
I love your recipes and have printed several of them. This one looks really good. I eat vegan by choice and for health reasons. I have several food allergies and one of them is tree nuts. It gives me a full anaphylaxis. This is one of the only drawbacks I run into with a vegan are many recipes with tree nuts I use coconut milk as my primary nondairy source. As you know coconut is not a tree nut. Do you have any suggestions for using the cashews in this recipe? I can replace the Almond milk but don't know how to replace cashews. Any help wold be greatly appreciated.
Ginny McMeans
That is a very hard one Leah and I feel for you and that darn allergy. One thing you can do with this recipe is to start with an dairy free mayonnaise such as Just Mayo and then add the other ingredients to get Ranch Dressing. For parmesan cheese you can make this hemp heart recipe of mine. It is great https://veganinthefreezer.com/nut-free-vegan-parmesan-cheese/ As for all around substituting cashews there really isn't one fix. Your best bet is to probably google 'vegan nut free 'whatever you're searching for'. If I come across more staples with nut free versions I will let you know.
Sally
This is delicious! Thank you so much! It was super quick to make too.