Plant-Based Ranch Dressing Recipe (2024)

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5 from 3 votes

by Gale Compton

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Published: August 20, 2018 Last Updated: February 23, 2021

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

Plant-Based Ranch Dressing Recipe (2)

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 (3)

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 (4)

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

Course Condiment

Cuisine American

Author Gale Compton

Plant-Based Ranch Dressing Recipe (5)

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!

Why is restaurant ranch dressing so good? ›

While many restaurants use mass produced ranch mix, they often add it to a higher-quality base. This might include milk, buttermilk, sour cream, or mayonnaise. So when you notice that the ranch in a restaurant tastes better than the bottled dressing from the store, what you're really tasting is delicious, creamy fat.

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.

Does vegan ranch taste the same? ›

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.

What is a 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

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.

How to make bottled ranch taste like restaurant? ›

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 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.

What is the difference between restaurant ranch and bottled ranch? ›

The difference is dairy

The key difference between bottled ranch and ranch that's been mixed from a packet — which is what's usually served in restaurants — is that ranch made from a mix usually contains real dairy ingredients. The store-bought varieties don't.

Does Hidden Valley make vegan ranch? ›

Plant Powered Spicy

The exceptional flavor of this creamy vegan, dairy and gluten free dressing is sure to be a fan favorite.

What is the bad ingredient in ranch dressing? ›

Since it's used in such small quantities in food, most scientists don't think it's inherently dangerous. The FDA allows titanium dioxide in foods, but it can't exceed 1% of the product. There is, however, some research that links it to inflammation in the gut.

Is hummus vegan-friendly? ›

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.

Does Trader Joe's have vegan ranch? ›

How Much Does Trader Joe's Vegan Ranch Dip Cost? A 12-ounce tub, which offers 12 two-tablespoon servings, costs $3.49.

Does avocado ranch taste like ranch? ›

You probably already know what the standard Ranch tastes like, so I won't spend much time on that. The avocado tastes like ranch with a bit of tanginess and an avocado flavor that's present but not too strong. I like it and it has fewer calories than the regular ranch.

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).

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.

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 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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