Vegan Ranch Dressing
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Published Jul 21, 2021, Updated May 17, 2022
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This vegan ranch is made with soaked and blended cashews. It’s ultra creamy, loaded with ranch flavor and perfect for salads or as a dip!
Today we’re making traditional ranch dressing… but vegan!
To be honest, ranch has never been my dressing of choice, but after making this homemade vegan ranch and brainstorming all of the ways to use it, it’s rising to the top! It’s so simple to make, tastes just like the real deal and pairs well with a variety of recipes.
FAQs
Before we dive into the recipe, I want to address some frequently asked questions about ranch dressing!
Let me just say: not all ranch dressings are super healthy, but this version is! It’s made with minimal, whole-food ingredients that you can pronounce! It’s gluten-free, plant-based and absolutely delicious.
Nope! Most ranch dressings are made with buttermilk, sour cream and/or mayo.
My recipe uses a combination of parsley, dill, garlic, onion, sea salt and pepper. Some recipes also include chives.
Here’s What You Need
- cashews – cashews are the base of this vegan ranch and make it so creamy! Be sure to use raw cashews and remember to soak them before blending.
- water – after the cashews soak you’ll drain them and then add the nuts and fresh water to the blender to combine with the spices.
- seasonings and spices – a combination of apple cider vinegar, dried dill, dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt and black pepper to create the ranch flavor we all know and love.
tip! Make sure you allow enough time to soak your cashews or use the quick soak method that I mention below. If you don't soak them long enough, your dressing will turn out a little chunky.
Quick Soak Method for Cashews
Just like my vegan sour cream, soaking the cashews is essential for this recipe! If they aren’t soft enough you’ll end up with a chunky dressing rather than a smooth and creamy one. That said, I get that soaking cashews for 3-4 hours (or overnight) can be a pain, especially if you want to make this recipe right away.
Luckily, there is a quick soak method if you don’t have time to soak the cashews for 3-4 hours. Add cashews and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then cover and remove from the heat. Let cashews soak in the boiling water for 15 minutes. Drain and use in the recipe as directed.
How to Use Vegan Ranch Dressing
It seems like there are a million ways to use ranch. Here are a few:
- Dressing – use as a dressing on your favorite salad recipe. It’s delicious on my buffalo cauliflower salad.
- Drizzle – drizzle over roasted veggies for extra flavor. Ranch is delicious on roasted broccoli.
- Dip – use as a dip for a veggie tray, for cauliflower wings or even pizza.
- Mayo substitute – swap out mayo for this dairy-free ranch dressing when making tuna salad.
- Sauce – use as a sauce for fajitas, fish tacos or burritos.
How Long Does Vegan Ranch Last?
Store leftover ranch dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should keep for 5-7 days. If any separation occurs, simply give it another blend or a shake.
More Dressing Recipes to Try:
- Honey Mustard Dressing
- Healthy Poppyseed Dressing
- Healthy Caesar Dressing
- Cilantro Lime Dressing
- Greek Salad Dressing
- Garlic Tahini Dressing
- Healthy Caesar Dressing
- Italian Dressing
Be sure to check out all of my salad dressing recipes as well as the full collection of salad recipes on EBF!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Vegan Ranch Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked 4-6 hours or overnight
- 1/2 cup fresh water
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- pinch of black pepper
Instructions
- Soak cashews by adding to a large bowl or glass and covering with water by at least 2 inches. Once cashews are soft, drain and rinse.
- Add drained cashews into a high powered blender or food processor with 1/2 cup fresh water, apple cider vinegar, dill, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.
- Blend dressing until completely smooth. Makes about 1/2 cup.
- Use dressing as you would regular ranch. On salad or as a dip. See more ideas above.
- Store leftover ranch dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should keep for 5-
Video
Notes
- Quick Soak for Cashews: If you don’t have time to soak the cashews for 3-4 hours, you can use a quick soak method. Add cashews and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then cover and remove from the heat. Let cashews soak in the boiling water for 15 minutes. Drain and use in the recipe as directed.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Love this dressing! It was so easy and quick to make. I used 1/2 cashews and 1/2 cashew powder for lower calories. I also stirred in the herbs instead of blending them. This will definitely be on repeat at my house.
I copied the recipe verbatim and its probably the worst thing I’ve ever had in my life. I dont know what I did wrong, I just wish I could do something as simple as this right
I’m so sorry to hear that John. What didn’t you like about it? The texture? Flavor?
Helpful one! Thank You so much.
OMG Delicious!! I made it exactly except used fresh dill from my garden!! A real keeper for salads and dips!!! Loved it! ❤️
So glad this dressing was a hit, Donna! Thanks for the review 🙂
Hi Brittany!
I made this recipe and love how flavorful and healthy it is. I also love that I have another dressing choice with no oil added. It was perfect on my crunchy salad of red cabbage, cucumber, tomato, microgreens and snap peas. I will definitely be adding this to my regular rotation along with your tahini dressing recipe, too. Delicious. Thanks so much!
Woo!! So glad this dressing was a hit, Christina! Thanks for the review!
Is the cashew soaking the same result as making cashew milk?
Soaking the cashews is similar to making raw cashew butter. If needed, you can use cashew butter instead of the soaked cashews for this recipe. You’ll just need half the amount so 1/4 cup cashew butter and there shouldn’t be a need to add as much water to the dressing. Just add water until you get the desired consistency.
Will be making this soon i never had ranch dressing before Thanks for this recipe as i dont have healthy and vegan ranch dressing in Singapore perfect for my snacks and your salads will dm you if i make this and let you know how it goes Thanks Ramya
So glad you’re enjoying this vegan ranch dressing, Ramya! Thanks for the review 🙂
oops sorry i meant i havent make this yet will make this tom or fri after office
Ahh yes, keep me posted!