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?
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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? ›

Vegan Ranch Recipe Ingredients

Fresh chopped cucumber – It puts the “cool” in “cool ranch.” Lemon juice – It makes the dressing bright and tangy. Garlic powder, onion powder, and nutritional yeast – They add the savory, umami flavor that makes this vegan ranch dressing so irresistible.

Does vegan ranch taste the same? ›

It's phenomenally creamy, has the perfect amount of acidity to tingle your tastebuds, and packs in a wonderfully herby, oniony, garlicky bite. All the flavors and textures you love about ranch dressing but made vegan! And yes, it tastes exactly like classic ranch.

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.

What is the best substitute for ranch dressing? ›

Try these ranch substitutes and you'll never head back to the Hidden Valley again.
  • For Dipping Veggies: Greek Yogurt "Ranch" Dip. PIN IT. ...
  • For Marinating Chicken: Italian Dressing. PIN IT. ...
  • For Dipping Pizza Crusts: Honey. PIN IT. ...
  • For Dressing Salads: Avocado Dressing. PIN IT. ...
  • For Topping Burgers: Hummus. PIN IT.
Jun 4, 2018

Is Hidden Valley plant ranch vegan? ›

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.

Can vegans eat ketchup? ›

Yes, generally tomato ketchup is suitable for vegans. Its core ingredients are usually tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, salt, herbs and spices, all of which are vegan friendly. But the ingredients list isn't the only thing we need to look at in order to get to the bottom of this question.

Does Trader Joe's have vegan ranch? ›

I Finally Got My Hands on Trader Joe's Vegan Ranch Dip, and This is How It Tastes.

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.

Is Peanut Butter vegan? ›

As with many food items, in its simplest form, peanut butter should always be vegan. The vast majority of peanut butters you find in grocery stores will therefore be fully plant-based. Traditional peanut butter is made from peanuts and often a small amount of salt or oil.

Why not to eat ranch dressing? ›

Saturated fat is always something to try and stay away from. It's in many processed foods—and it can have significant impacts on your overall health, especially your cholesterol levels. According to the FoodData Central Database, one serving of ranch has around 2 to 2.5 grams of saturated fat.

Does Chick Fil A have vegan dressing? ›

Enjoy the crunch of red bell pepper, vegan seasoned tortilla strips, and chili lime pepitas. Order your Spicy Southwest Salad sans chicken and cheese, and choose from Chick-fil-A's vegan-friendly dressings: Light Italian, Light Balsamic, or Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette.

What can I put on salad instead of ranch? ›

8 Simple and Healthy Salad Dressings
  1. Sesame ginger. This simple salad dressing doubles as an easy marinade for meat, poultry, or roasted veggies. ...
  2. Balsamic vinaigrette. ...
  3. Avocado lime. ...
  4. Lemon vinaigrette. ...
  5. Honey mustard. ...
  6. Greek yogurt ranch. ...
  7. Apple cider vinaigrette. ...
  8. Ginger turmeric.
Jul 27, 2023

What's healthier hummus or ranch? ›

Legumes are famously protein powerhouses. Plus, eating hummus can be a great way to eat more veggies. Use it as a creamy dip or top a salad with your favorite flavor. Hummus is a healthy alternative to dips like ranch.

Is there dairy free ranch? ›

Store-Bought Dairy-Free Ranch Dressings: Many brands offer dairy-free ranch dressing options that are available in most grocery stores. These dressings are typically made with plant-based ingredients like soy, almond, or coconut milk, and they often use ingredients like cashews or tofu to achieve a creamy textur.

What is dairy free ranch made of? ›

Store-Bought Dairy-Free Ranch Dressings: Many brands offer dairy-free ranch dressing options that are available in most grocery stores. These dressings are typically made with plant-based ingredients like soy, almond, or coconut milk, and they often use ingredients like cashews or tofu to achieve a creamy textur.

What type of ranch is vegan? ›

Daiya, your go-to dairy-free brand, has a vegan ranch that you don't want to miss out on! The Plant-Based Homestyle Ranch Dressing is creamy, tangy, and ready to level up your salads, sandwiches, and beyond. For our pizza dippers, there are major bonus points available for dipping Daiya pizza in Daiya ranch.

Why is mayo 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 main ingredient in Hidden Valley Ranch? ›

If Ranch is your favorite, take a look at what's in the leading ranch dressings and then see which brands are Closest To Homemade®. HIDDEN VALLEY FAT FREE RANCH >> THE FIRST FIVE INGREDIENTS ARE WATER, BUTTERMILK, CORN SYRUP, MALTODEXTRIN AND SUGAR.

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