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    Home » Recipes

    The Easiest Vegan Ranch Dressing (Oil-Free)

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    This is the easiest vegan ranch dressing recipe. It’s creamy, full of flavor, and completely oil-free! Perfect for salads, vegetables, and sandwiches.

    The BEST Vegan Ranch Dressing recipe! This creamy cashew vegan ranch dressing is the perfect party dip, salad dressing, or sandwich spread. It's completely plant based, oil-free, gluten free, and soy free.

    Let’s face it, salads can be a bit boring. But adding creamy salad dressing just seems to make it better.

    However, the problem is that most store-bought dressings are usually filled with dairy and oil. And, many of the vegan salad dressing options aren’t any better because they still contain lots of oil and processed ingredients.

    BUT, this delicious dairy-free ranch dressing is better than anything you’ll find on the shelf. Unlike many other vegan recipes that tend to use some type of vegan mayonnaise as the base, this one uses only natural, whole-food ingredients. And, it doesn’t taste funny.

    So, if you’ve never homemade ranch dressing now is the time! Do yourself a favor and make it NOW!

    And, it’s so close to traditional ranch dressing no one will know the difference. So, what are we waiting for? Let’s make Vegan Ranch Dressing!

    The BEST Vegan Ranch Dressing recipe! This creamy cashew vegan ranch dressing is the perfect party dip, salad dressing, or sandwich spread. It's completely plant based, oil-free, gluten free, and soy free.

    Table of Contents

    • Ingredients You’ll Need
    • Is Ranch Vegan Friendly?
    • How To Make Vegan Ranch Dressing
    • Tips & Suggestions
    • Storage
    • What To Serve With Vegan Ranch Dressing
    • More Vegan Oil Free Dressing and Spread Recipes
    • Vegan Ranch Dressing

    Ingredients You’ll Need

    This vegan ranch dressing recipe is so easy and only takes about 10 minutes. You need 10 simple ingredients and I’d be willing to bet you have most of them.

    It’s such a simple dairy-free, healthy, oil-free, and gluten-free recipe.

    • Cashews: be sure and use only raw cashews that have not been roasted and contain no salt.
    • Dairy-free Milk: unsweetened almond milk, soy milk, oat milk are my choices.
    • Acid: apple cider vinegar and lemon juice and that signature tang we all love in ranch dressing. If you don’t have apple cider vinegar you can use white vinegar.
    • Spices: 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 1 teaspoon onion powder are all you need for flavor.
    • Nutritional Yeast: adds that nutty, cheesy essence characteristic of ranch dressing.
    • Herbs: dill and parsely give you that flavor you love.
    • Salt: I like to wait until everything has been blended and season with salt to taste at the end.

    Is Ranch Vegan Friendly?

    Yes, if it’s this recipe. But, ordinarily, no because they are all made with dairy and some type of mayo.

    Just because you’ve given up oil and dairy doesn’t mean you have to give up something you love. And, it certainly doesn’t mean you have to give up flavor.

    Also, your kids can once again drown their veggies in ranch dressing and you can live guilt-free. And, you’ll be voted favorite parent. You’re welcome.

    My absolute favorite way to enjoy this amazing dressing is as a dipping sauce with buffalo cauliflower wings. AH-MAZING!

    The BEST Vegan Ranch Dressing recipe! This creamy cashew vegan ranch dressing is the perfect party dip, salad dressing, or sandwich spread. It's completely plant based, oil-free, gluten free, and soy free.

    How To Make Vegan Ranch Dressing

    Raw cashews are the perfect base because they’re very neutral in flavor. And, they blend really well to create an amazing super creamy texture.

    1. Soak cashews in water for 2-4 hours or boil for 5-10 minutes. 
    2. Just before you are ready to drain the cashews, about 5 minutes, add the apple cider vinegar and lemon juice to the milk mix really well. Allow it to sit for just a couple of minutes. You’re essentially making vegan buttermilk. This step is not essentially necessary, but I feel it does enhance the overall flavor.
    3. Drain cashews and add to your blender with almond milk, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, nutritional yeast and salt. Blend until everything is smooth and creamy. Stop and scrape down the sides of the blender as needed.
    4. Pour mixture into a small bowl and add the dried dill and parsely. Mix until everything is well combined. 
    5. Serve on top of your salad, sandwich, or use as a dip for a veggie tray.

    You can enjoy this immediately. But, I like to put mine in the fridge and let it sit for a couple of hours. It thickens and the flavors have time to really sit together.

    The BEST Vegan Ranch Dressing recipe! This creamy cashew vegan ranch dressing is the perfect party dip, salad dressing, or sandwich spread. It's completely plant based, oil-free, gluten free, and soy free.

    Tips & Suggestions

    • If you have a nut allergy use sunflower seeds in place of the cashews.
    • To make this dressing lower in fat and nut-free replace the cashews with a 12-ounce block of silken firm tofu.
    • I prefer to use dried herbs for convenience but you may also use fresh herbs. Just be sure and double the amount of fresh herbs.

    Storage

  • You can store this for up to a week in a jar with an airtight lid in the fridge.
  • The BEST Vegan Ranch Dressing recipe! This creamy cashew vegan ranch dressing is the perfect party dip, salad dressing, or sandwich spread. It's completely plant based, oil-free, gluten free, and soy free.

    What To Serve With Vegan Ranch Dressing

    The question should be, “What CAN’T you serve with vegan ranch dressing?”

    • Drizzle it over these Fat-Free Potato Chips
    • Pour it over my Quinoa Blackbean Salad
    • Perfect for spreading on top of your favorite vegan pizza.
    • Use it as a dip your homemade oil-free french fries
    • It’s great in this Chipotle Bowl
    • Over these Oil-free Oven Roasted Potatoes
    • It’s great as vegan ranch dip for sliced veggies like celery and carrots.
    • It’s also great on this Potato Chip & Tomato Sandwich. Yeah, that’s right!
    The BEST Vegan Ranch Dressing recipe! This creamy cashew vegan ranch dressing is the perfect party dip, salad dressing, or sandwich spread. It's completely plant based, oil-free, gluten free, and soy free.

    You are going to love this Vegan Ranch Dressing recipe. It’s…

    • Creamy
    • Rich
    • Tangy
    • Full of flavor
    • Easy to make
    • & Extremely delicious

    More Vegan Oil Free Dressing and Spread Recipes

    • Creamy Cashew Vegan Mayo
    • Balsamic Oil Free Salad Dressing
    • Vegan Honey Mustard Salad Dressing
    • Garlicky Lemon Tahini Dressing
    • Easy Vegan Chipotle Aioli
    The BEST Vegan Ranch Dressing recipe! This creamy cashew vegan ranch dressing is the perfect party dip, salad dressing, or sandwich spread. It's completely plant based, oil-free, gluten free, and soy free.

    Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram, & be sure to subscribe to my newsletter. If you make this recipe please come back to comment and rate it. I’d really appreciate it. Enjoy!

    Print
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    Vegan Ranch Dressing

    ★★★★★

    5 from 26 reviews

    Print Recipe

    This is the easiest vegan ranch dressing recipe. It’s creamy, full of flavor, and completely oil-free! Perfect for salads, vegetables, and sandwiches. Dairy-free, oil-free, and gluten-free.

    • Total Time: 20 minutes
    • Yield: 12 servings 1x

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 1 ½ cups raw cashews
    • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or soy milk
    • 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
    • 2 Tbsp lemon juice
    • 2 tsp. garlic powder
    • 2 tsp. onion powder
    • 2 tsp. nutritional yeast
    • ½ tsp salt or to taste
    • 1 Tbsp dried dill
    • 2 tsp. dried parsley

    Instructions

    1. Soak cashews in water for 2-4 hours or boil for 5-10 minutes. 
    2. Just before you are ready to drain the cashews, about 5 minutes, add the apple cider vinegar and lemon juice to the milk mix really well. Allow it to sit for just a couple of minutes. You’re essentially making vegan buttermilk. This step is not essentially necessary, but I feel it does enhance the overall flavor.
    3. Drain cashews and add to your blender with almond milk, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, nutritional yeast and salt. Blend until everything is smooth and creamy. Stop and scrape down the sides of the blender as needed.
    4. Pour mixture into a small bowl and add the dried dill and parsely. Mix until everything is well combined. 
    5. Serve on top of your salad, sandwich, or use as a dip for a veggie tray.
    6. You can store this for up to a week in a jar with an airtight lid in the fridge.

    Equipment

    8oz. Mason Jars

    Buy Now →

    Cashews

    Buy Now →

    Vitamix

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    Nutritional Yeast

    Buy Now →

    Notes

    If you have a nut allergy use sunflower seeds in place of the cashews.

    To make this dressing lower in fat and nut-free replace the cashews with a 12-ounce block of silken firm tofu.

    I prefer to use dried herbs for convenience but you may also use fresh herbs. Just be sure and double the amount of fresh herbs.

    You can store this for up to a week in a jar with an airtight lid in the fridge.

    • Author: Shane Martin
    • Prep Time: 10 mins.
    • Cook Time: 10 mins.
    • Category: Dips & Spreads
    • Method: Blender
    • Cuisine: Vegan
    • Diet: Vegan

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 2 Tbsp
    • Calories: 86
    • Sugar: 0.9 g
    • Sodium: 111.9 mg
    • Fat: 6.4 g
    • Carbohydrates: 5.4 g
    • Fiber: 0.7 g
    • Protein: 3 g
    • Cholesterol: 0 mg

    Keywords: vegan, plant-based, oil-free dressing, cashew ranch, vegan ranch dressing, healthy salad dressing, vegan salad dressing, vegan ranch dip

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    « Easy Garlic Herb Vegan Cheese Spread
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Janet

      November 18, 2022 at 6:43 pm

      Omg so good. I’ve been eating it straight from the spoon. Better than regular high fat high dairy ranch dressing. Thank you so much for all your hard work and providing recipes like this. I’ve only been on the WFPB eating for 2 weeks and you have so simplified it. Thanks again!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Chris

      November 16, 2022 at 1:44 pm

      This ranch dressing turned out excellent. I did cut back on the onion and garlic powder till I tasted it. It was very thick so I thinned out some as a salad dressing and left the rest as a dip. I used a better quality (i.e. less watered down) soy milk which I feel added to the creaminess. The ACV and lemon juice really did turn it into vegan buttermilk. Quick and easy in the blender. Thanks for the great recipe.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. Jan Deschene

      October 13, 2022 at 1:17 pm

      Garlic bread Hack! This ranch on toast topped with nutritional yeast is my new favourite side to salad! So exited to have just thought of this! 🤤

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        October 13, 2022 at 3:57 pm

        I’m excited now!!!

        Reply
    4. Tiffany

      June 24, 2022 at 9:33 am

      What can be used in place for nutritional yeast or can it be omitted?

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        June 25, 2022 at 12:32 am

        Hi, Tiffany! Unfortunately, there really is no replacement for nooch. But, you can simply leave it out and it will still be delicious.

        Reply
        • Sharon

          June 25, 2022 at 9:13 am

          Craveable! I liked the spatula.

          Reply
    5. trish

      June 14, 2022 at 9:45 am

      I made this substituting the cashews with white beans and OMG SO good….just love the dill flavour, the creaminess and lower fat content

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    6. Teri

      June 08, 2022 at 6:21 pm

      Hi, this is the BEST ranch dressing! I make it 2x a week! I love it on everything. Thank you!😇

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        June 08, 2022 at 10:39 pm

        I’m so glad you enjoy it. Thanks so much!

        Reply
    7. Beth

      April 12, 2022 at 12:50 pm

      I have so many vegan salad dressing recipes, my favorite is ranch. Your ranch dressing is the best one out there! Thank you! 5 Stars for sure!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        April 12, 2022 at 2:50 pm

        Thank you!!!!

        Reply
    8. Susana Mayer

      April 03, 2022 at 11:56 pm

      Possible to make with oat milk? Or is there a particular reason to use almond or soy?

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        April 08, 2022 at 8:52 am

        No, any plant milk will work. Almond milk is just always my go to because it’s the most accessible where I live. Just be sure it’s unsweetened plant milk.

        Reply
    9. Mel Shishuwah

      February 10, 2022 at 7:23 pm

      I love this dressing I make it a lot!!
      Do you think it could be frozen?
      I usually don’t end up eating it all before it’s starts to get a little funky and I’m terrible and making a smaller batch
      If I could freeze it and then thaw and give a quick mix again do you think it might work ???
      I love all your recipes Shane you are amazing! Thank you for all you do!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    10. Karla

      January 09, 2022 at 3:41 pm

      Wow! I don’t have a high-powered blender, so I just used 1/2 cup of cashew butter. I used all of the other ingredients as listed, but left out the nutritional yeast. It came out the consistency of a dressing (too runny for just a dip), and is DELICIOUS!!!! I wanted a dressing to put on salads and roasted veggies, but if I want a dip, I can just add more cashew butter.

      Shane, I have tried other vegan ranch recipes before, but you just made me a believer! In fact, I am going to use the rest of my cashew butter to make your queso recipe tonight!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    11. Jen

      January 01, 2022 at 6:25 pm

      Love this recipe! I tend to not eat too many salads because all store bought dressings have so many unhealthy ingredients in them, as well as, oil and sugar. This has me back to eating healthy greens and veggies again! Thanks!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    12. Claudia

      November 11, 2021 at 2:20 pm

      Awesome dressing, Shane! I used half cashews and half white beans. I will be making this often. Thank you!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    13. Marlo

      October 28, 2021 at 9:39 am

      Yummy ranch dressing…I love it on my salad…and my husband likes to use this as a dip for his celery sticks! So much healthier than the bottled dressings!

      Reply
    14. Gloria

      September 27, 2021 at 12:00 pm

      Shane,
      Hello, this dressing is fabulous. So nice and creamy. I use it in my pasta salads instead of the cashew cream. I spread it on my toast with tomato and lettuce. This is a winner and the recipe is taped to the inside cabinet. always have it at my fingertips.
      Have an awesome day and you and your family stay safe.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        September 27, 2021 at 5:06 pm

        Thank you so much!!!

        Reply
    15. Karla

      August 14, 2021 at 6:40 pm

      Hey, Shane!
      I am currently trying to transition from omnivore to WFPB. I was skeptical because recipes on other sites that I have tried have not tasted good to me. This is a game changer! So good (even with white beans because I could not find oil free cashew butter or fresh raw cashews at my local store), and I even made a second batch with spices that I used to use for a buttermilk recipe! I can’t wait to try more of your recipes!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        August 14, 2021 at 10:37 pm

        Thank you so much, Karla! I’m so glad yo enjoyed it.

        Reply
    16. Aileen

      May 19, 2021 at 10:16 pm

      Delicious!! The first time I tried making vegan ranch was by adding a few spices to a vegan mayonnaise during the first few months of being vegan. It came out ok, so I was discouraged to try a new recipe. However, after seeing the vegan buffalo tofu wings recipe yesterday,I just had to make the ranch dressing to go with it. It came out amazing!! I did half the recipe. Absolutely loved it. 100% recommend. I would only label it as a dipping sauce, but just add additional liquid to get a dressing consistency! <3

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    17. Dale

      May 12, 2021 at 11:37 pm

      Made this last night to go with raw carrots, celery and Shave’s Tofu Wings. Well this dip and the Tofu Wings are five stars 🌟. Thanks for another recipe for my rotation.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Dale

        May 12, 2021 at 11:38 pm

        Darn autocorrect, Shane’s Tofu Wings.

        ★★★★★

        Reply
    18. Karen

      April 15, 2021 at 1:38 pm

      I added some chipotle seasoning to add more flavor and a little bite. We thinned it out with almond milk and it worked perfectly. This is the best vegan rach dressing we have made so far. Thank you so very much!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    19. Valerie

      March 29, 2021 at 7:48 pm

      Hi – As suggested, I thinned out the Ranch Dip/Dressing, and adjusted the seasoning to taste. It’s a perfect dressing for salads, potatoes, and other vegetables. I was a little skeptical about it tasting like non-vegan Ranch dressing. It tastes like Ranch dressing, even better! I’m looking forward to making it into a dip the next time.

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        April 10, 2021 at 9:22 am

        Thank you, Valerie!

        ★★★★★

        Reply
    20. Aliesha

      March 29, 2021 at 5:56 pm

      Authentic ranch flavor! We love this recipe. The consistency is perfect for dip. As Shane suggests, you can thin it out with a bit more almond milk for a more dressing-like consistency.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    21. Melanie

      March 12, 2021 at 6:27 pm

      I eat a lot of ranch dressing and hadn’t found one I liked. I was on the verge of buying a bottle of ranch but decided to try your recipe. It’s really good! Now I don’t need to buy bottled ranch. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        March 12, 2021 at 10:21 pm

        Thank you, Melanie! If you wouldn’t mind, I’d really appreciate you giving it star rating. It helps me and other with the “google gods.” 🙂 Blessings.

        ★★★★★

        Reply
    22. lorraine

      October 27, 2020 at 11:35 am

      could you use pumpkin seeds instead of cashews. Nut allergy

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        November 21, 2020 at 11:39 am

        I would try something like hemp seeds. They cream up very nicely.

        Reply
    23. Carolyn Wheeler

      July 29, 2020 at 12:16 am

      Since the cashews are going into the blender why do they first need to be chopped? Thanks!!

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        July 29, 2020 at 9:52 am

        They don’t. That’s a misprint. I just fixed it. Thanks for catching it.

        Reply
    24. Colleen

      April 17, 2020 at 10:13 pm

      I make this nearly every week. Delicious! I use raw sunflower seeds instead of cashews, and rice milk instead of almond. Plus chives instead of onions, and celery salt and ginger instead of garlic. It’s still delicious. I finished some off yesterday and I might make another batch tonight!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        April 19, 2020 at 1:30 pm

        That’s awesome, Colleen! Thank you so much for sharing your substitutions. They sound great! Blessings.

        Reply
    25. Emily

      March 08, 2020 at 8:56 am

      Wow, yum!! It’s been AGES since I had ranch dressing, so I don’t even remember what it tastes like, but this has got to be better. It’ll make a great dip or dressing! Thanks!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    26. Lu

      February 03, 2020 at 11:49 am

      I make this exactly like recipe says. It is now my favorite ranch dressing. I have a Vitamix and I do soak or boil the cashews for the creamiest dressing.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        February 03, 2020 at 9:27 pm

        Thank you so much!

        Reply
    27. Pat

      January 19, 2020 at 1:33 pm

      So happy that they are ingredients that everybody will have in their home,

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    28. Maureen

      January 15, 2020 at 10:29 am

      Hi Shane. I love a lot of your recipes,although I don’t comment very often. Can’t i use soy milk instead of almond? That’s what I have right now.

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        January 15, 2020 at 2:59 pm

        Yes, absolutely! Almond milk is simply my preference. I’ll amend the recipe to mention that as a choice.

        Reply
    29. Elaine

      January 15, 2020 at 12:20 am

      This looks really good and I’m anxious to try it….I’ve been disappointed so many times by the other vegan ranch dressings I’ve tried. I like that you didn’t add any sweeteners. What I don’t understand is why it would last only about a week in the fridge. It has both vinegar and lemon juice in it. Wouldn’t that make it last longer? I will rate it after I make it and see how it tastes.

      Reply
    30. janet

      January 14, 2020 at 9:40 pm

      Would it be possible to white beans for the cashews?

      ★★★★

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        January 14, 2020 at 10:10 pm

        I’ve never tried it. I would try Tofu if you are not opposed to soy over the white beans. You’ll probably get more of a “hummus” consistency. But, hey, I say it’s worth trying…at least once:)

        Reply
        • Patty

          November 06, 2020 at 1:41 pm

          i HAVE USED CANNELINI BEANS AND IT IS GOOD BUT, I prefer it with the cashews because it creamier. Thank you for this amazing recipe.

          ★★★★★

          Reply
    31. Lesley

      January 14, 2020 at 5:31 pm

      I have been looking for an easy Healthy dressing creamy is my fav… gonna give this a go 🙂

      Reply
      • Shane Martin

        January 14, 2020 at 10:11 pm

        Thanks! I hope you enjoy it.

        Reply
    32. Michael

      January 13, 2020 at 11:16 pm

      Amazing!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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