Learn how to make the absolute BEST Vegan Ranch Dressing Oil-free and No Mayo! This recipe is dairy-free and tastes better than the traditional dairy kind! Perfect for healthy salads. Made with cashews, yogurt, vinegar and spices!
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BEST VEGAN RANCH DRESSING
Who doesn’t love ranch dressing? I know I ate bucket loads before going vegan and now we have the absolute most amazing vegan, oil-free ranch dressing that you will ever need! And unlike many versions out there, this one does not use vegan mayo or oil! Yes, this vegan ranch is oil-free and made with healthy ingredients! I’m all about recreating classics in a healthier way, just like with this Vegan Thousand Island Dressing that tastes 100% authentic!
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. Better to just make your own! But this vegan ranch dressing recipe will blow all the others away!
I used my original recipe as the base but changed up a couple of things and it is incredible. All my spices are the same but for that truly tangy and authentic taste and texture, I subbed most of the milk with yogurt! Oh boy did it improve that flavor! I found this to taste so much like the classic ranch and my family agreed. My hubby (Mr. Picky) called it “spot on” and “brilliant”.
HOW DO YOU MAKE VEGAN RANCH DRESSING?
First, you will need to gather these 8 ingredients (+salt):
- raw cashews
- non-dairy plain unsweetened yogurt (I use the So Delicious coconut yogurt)
- non-dairy milk (I used “lite” canned coconut milk)
- white vinegar
- dry mustard
- onion powder
- garlic powder
- dried dill
Next, add all of the ingredients to a high-powered blender and blend until smooth.
Place in the fridge to chill until thickened.
I hope you love this Best Vegan Ranch Dressing as much as we do! I find that this ranch dressing is not only delicious on salads, but also on pizza or even avocado toast!
OTHER VEGAN DRESSINGS RECIPES TO TRY:
If you make this recipe, be sure to leave feedback below and share your pic on Instagram or Facebook and tag me @thevegan8 #thevegan8!
Best Vegan Ranch Dressing (Oil-free)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (75g) raw unsalted cashews (use sunflower kernels if allergic but keep in mind it will yield a different flavor)
- 1/2 cup (120g) non-dairy unsweetened plain yogurt, I used SoDelicious coconut (I would advise against low-fat or almond versions)
- 1/4 cup (60g) canned "lite" coconut milk, shaken first (or soy milk, but I preferred the taste of the coconut)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons (23g) white distilled vinegar
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
- 3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
FLAVOR VARIATIONS
- I tested this as other flavors too that were outstanding. Try any 3 of these separate versions with 2 tablespoons (30g) of fined diced of the following: chopped green or black olives, chopped green chiles or chopped pickled jalapenos.
- I use this scale.
Instructions
- If you do not have a high-powered blender like a Vitamix, then you will need to soak your cashews overnight in a bowl of water, otherwise your dressing will be gritty. Drain, rinse and proceed.
- Add all of the ingredients, except the dill, to a blender and process for a couple of minutes, stopping to scrape the sides, until completely smooth. The dressing will be on the runny side but will thicken a lot in the fridge. Pour the dressing into a container and stir in the dried dill. This is so it is visible in the end dressing and does not turn the dressing green when blended.
- Store in the fridge for a couple of hours to chill and thicken some before using.
- It will thicken up a lot like a dip overnight so give it a good stir before use. You can slightly thin it out with a tad of water and an extra splash of vinegar if needed. The dressing is good for a week in the fridge.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition per 2 tablespoons: 58 calories, 4.3g fat, 1.3g protein, 4.4g carbs, .6g fiber, 1.4g sugar, 177mg sodium
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This is an amazing recipe! I have tried other oil free ranch dressings and none of them came close to what I was expecting from ranch dressing. This recipe taste just like ranch dressing and I am in love with it! Thank you so much for putting this together
This was DELICIOUS!! I have made so many vegan (oil-free) dressings that taste funky but this just tasted like…. ranch! Thank you for a winner recipe! (Also, as a note- I only had cashew milk and used that and it tasted great)
Yay Kristen! Really glad this was such a hit for you!!
I just discovered your site and am very excited to try your recipes. However, I can not have nuts. It is very difficult to find recipes that are vegan, gluten-free, oil-free and contain no nuts.
Hi Dianna, yes, I use nuts since I don’t use oils in my recipes and where fat is needed for texture, nuts mimic oil results beautifully. Some recipes you won’t be able to make, unfortunately, but I have plenty of nut-free recipes on my blog.
Dianna,
I made this recipe and instead of using the cashews,
I used vegan mayo. Our fave recipe! With or without the cashew cream. 🙂 Thanks for an amazing recipe, Brandi!! It’s a winner!