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 2 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

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.

What is vegan ranch made of? ›

A classic ranch dressing uses mayonnaise, buttermilk and fresh herbs and flavorings. So for the vegan version we used a vegan mayonnaise and vegan buttermilk: made with some lemon juice and non-dairy milk, and fresh herbs and flavorings. This was all that was needed for a totally delicious vegan ranch dressing.

What are the ingredients in just ranch? ›

Ingredients: expeller-pressed canola oil, water, sugar, white distilled vinegar, contains less than 2% of autolyzed yeast extract, calcium chloride, dehydrated onion, garlic puree (garlic, citric acid), lactic acid, lemon juice concentrate, modified food starch, natural flavors, pea protein, propylene glycol alginate ...

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 the healthiest salad dressing in the world? ›

What is the healthiest dressing for a salad?
  • Vinaigrette. This classic combination of vinegar and olive oil gets the highest marks from dietitians. ...
  • Honey mustard. It's sweet and tangy, and also olive oil-based. ...
  • Yogurt-based dressing. ...
  • Pesto-based dressing. ...
  • Avocado-based dressing. ...
  • Tahini dressing. ...
  • Green goddess dressing.
Feb 20, 2024

What is the healthiest dressing to eat? ›

Oil and vinegar.

“This is a great option, because it won't have any added sugar or salt,” says Allers. “But the type of oil is important. Opt for olive or avocado oil over an alternative like canola or soybean oil.” These healthy oils are packed with antioxidants, and can even help lower cholesterol.

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.

Does vegan ranch taste like ranch? ›

It tastes like the real deal (but better).

This vegan ranch dressing has all of that (and a little extra). 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 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.

Why was Just ranch discontinued? ›

However, to the dismay of fans, Eat Just made the unexpected move to discontinue the wildly popular condiments in favor of focusing on its plant-based egg business. The decision sparked outrage among loyal customers, who flooded the company with protests and pleas for the return of their beloved products.

What is the difference between ranch and vegan ranch? ›

CAN VEGANS EAT RANCH? Yes, of course, as long as it's 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.

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 Ranch be part of a healthy diet? ›

Reduces The Risk Of Coronary Heart Disease

However, more research is needed to form a conclusive statement. But there is no harm in consuming a serving of vitamin K-rich ranch dressing as a part of a healthy diet.

What makes ranch so high in calories? ›

Most bottled brands of ranch dressing feature soybean oil as a major ingredient and pack in around 110–150 calories for a 2-tablespoon (30-ml) serving. Those with yogurt or buttermilk as a top-listed ingredient tend to be lower in calories.

Why is ranch so calorie dense? ›

Ranch dressing is heavily loaded with fat and sometimes added sugars have a substantial caloric impact. You can obtain about 140 calories from two tablespoons of ranch dressing. To incorporate this into your favorite dishes, go for homemade or lighter versions and also have portion control.

What is a healthier alternative to ranch? ›

What is healthier than ranch dressing? Plain Yogurt is a healthier option than traditional ranch. That's why we love this healthy dressing, it uses nonfat greek yogurt as a creamy alternative.

Can a ranch salad be healthy? ›

Rich, creamy salad dressings are high in fat and calories, so you should avoid using them to top your salads with or dip your vegetables in. Instead, you should opt for vinaigrettes, which are less fatty and caloric.

Is it OK to eat ranch everyday? ›

You'll be putting your cardiovascular health at risk.

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.

References

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