This Easy and Healthy Vegan Ranch Dressing Recipe is so creamy, has a nut-free option made with sunflower seeds (or made with cashews) and is dairy-free, oil-free, soy-free and gluten-free! Just 8 easy ingredients.
This dressing is delicious right away, but I recommend making it the day before you want to eat it, as It will thicken much more overnight in the fridge. It will taste so much like traditional this way. If making it with the sunflower seeds, remember they have a stronger taste than cashews do, so keep that in mind.
Instructions
This recipe works well to prepare early in the day or the day before, so everything is chilled well and the dressing has thickened, upon serving. First, roast the potatoes. Preheat an oven to 415F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper, so they don’t stick. Chop the potatoes into about 1/2 inch pieces. Spread out evenly on the pan and salt generously and bake for 25-30 minutes until very golden brown.
If you do not have a high-powered blender, then you must soak the cashews for 8 hours or overnight, then drain and proceed. Otherwise, your dressing will be gritty.
Meanwhile, prepare the dressing. Add all of the ingredients to a high powered blender, such as a Vitamix, starting out with JUST 3/4 cup milk process until very smooth and creamy on high. If using canned coconut milk, make sure you have shaken the can really well first. Scrape the sides a couple of times and blend again for a good couple of minutes so it gets really smooth and thickens. The dressing will be fairly thin, but will thicken well in the fridge. Add more milk if you want it thinner.
Pour into a container and chill in the fridge for an hour or two to marinate, so it gets cold and thickens further. The flavor really is best after it chills and marinates (even better overnight!).
If making the potato salad, toss the potatoes with as much dressing as you like and chill for several hours for the dressing to absorb into the potatoes. When ready to serve, taste and add any more salt/pepper if needed. I like to add extra dill and freshly ground black pepper.