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

Have you made this recipe?
Tag @skinnyms on Instagram or hashtag it #skinnyms

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!

What is the best substitute for ranch dressing? ›

Combine fridge and spice cupboard staples – including mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, milk, herbs, and spices – into a bowl then whisk it up. Incredibly simple and so, so much better than store bought ranch dressing.

What is the difference between vegan ranch and ranch? ›

The most noticeable difference is that it lacks the tanginess of the buttermilk. Ranch usually contains buttermilk, mayonnaise, and a bunch of spices. This vegan version uses “Vegenaise” instead of mayo and nothing but lemon juice concentrate for tartness.

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 Hidden Valley ranch plant-based 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.

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 the healthiest salad dressing? ›

The Top 11 Healthy Salad Dressing Brands
  • The Healthiest Dressing Overall: Annie's Organic Balsamic Vinaigrette.
  • Best Low-Calorie: Bragg Organic Oil-Free Vinaigrette.
  • Best Low-Fat: Bolthouse Farms Cilantro Avocado Yogurt Dressing.
  • Best Low-Sodium: Organicville No Added Salt Italian Vinaigrette & Marinade.
Oct 13, 2023

What can I put on salad instead of ranch? ›

  1. The Top 9 Healthy Salad Dressing Alternatives. Oil and Vinegar. Green Goddess Dressing. Caesar Salad Dressing. Sesame Ginger Dressing. Creamy Avocado Dressing. Tahini Dressing. Stilton Vinaigrette Salad Dressing. Maple-Mustard Vinaigrette. Ranch Dressing.
  2. The Bottom Line.
Dec 31, 2022

Is balsamic vinegar vegan? ›

Balsamic vinegar is generally considered vegan-friendly, as it does not contain animal-derived ingredients. The production process of balsamic vinegar involves fermenting grape juice and aging it in wooden casks, making it suitable for vegans.

Does Aldi have vegan ranch? ›

More #aldifinds to watch for (USA) - Vegan Ranch and Caesar dressing!

Is avocado ranch healthier than ranch? ›

Avocado Ranch Dressing Recipe

It's the perfect healthy alternative to store-bought ranch dressing and it's SO flavourful. We love enjoying it as a dip for veggies too, and we know you're going to love it as much as we do!

Is Kraft Classic ranch vegan? ›

This product contains 3 ingredients that are not vegan and 4 ingredients that may not be vegan.

Is Daiya ranch vegan? ›

PURE VEGAN GOODNESS - Follow a vegan diet? You'll be glad to know that your Daiya dairy free salad dressing contains no animal products or by-products, and is Certified Plant-Based by Plant Based Foods Association. Comes in a recyclable glass bottle.

Is Ken's ranch dressing vegan? ›

No. This product is not vegan as it lists 7 ingredients that derive from animals and 6 ingredients that could derive from animals depending on the source.

What is vegan mayonnaise made of? ›

What is vegan mayo made from? Vegan mayo can be made from a host of ingredients, but some sort of plant-based fat and vinegar are key. The usual ingredients include oil, lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, mustard, salt, and aquafaba (chickpea brine).

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.

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

Primal Kitchen
Nutrition Facts
For a Serving Size of 2 tbsp
How many calories are in Vegan Ranch Dressing? Amount of calories in Vegan Ranch Dressing: Calories 130Calories from Fat 126 (96.9%)
% Daily Value *
How much fat is in Vegan Ranch Dressing? Amount of fat in Vegan Ranch Dressing: Total Fat 14g-
15 more rows

What are the ingredients in American Garden ranch? ›

Vegetable oil (soyabean and Canola), Water, distilled Vinegar, Sugar, Egg yolk, Buttermilk Solids,cotains less than 2% of: salt, Onion, Garlic, natural flavour milk, Mono sodium gultamate, Phosphoric acid, Sorbic acid, Xathan gum, Disodium inosinate disodium guanylate, Spice, Beta Carotene, Calcium Disodium EDTA to ...

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