• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
  • Substitutes
  • Basics
  • Pairings

A Nourishing Plate

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Substitutes
  • Basics
  • Pairings
  • Subscribe
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Substitutes
    • Basics
    • Pairings
    • Subscribe
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Condiments

    Dec 1, 2021 · Modified: Jul 1, 2022 by Lindsey Jenkins · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    This creamy dairy-free ranch dressing is going to become your new favorite go-to dip or dressing. It tastes so much like the real thing that it can fool anyone - dairy-free or not.

    No more feeling like you have to miss out on some of your favorite childhood condiments. This ranch tastes nostalgic and is perfect as a dip for raw and roasted veg like crispy smashed potatoes, chips, crackers, or on salad. You can't go wrong.

    Homemade vs Store-Bought

    Homemade dressing is always my preferred method over store-bought. Although store-bought dairy-free ranch does exist, there are a few reasons why I don't buy it

    • it can be expensive and also have a weird aftertaste and/or texture
    • it contains additives to make the product last much longer than it typically would
    • it's made with low quality oils

    Making your own is easy and has just a few simple, easy-to-pronounce ingredients so there's no second-guessing about what you're really consuming. Plus, they happen to all be pantry staples so you likely already have everything you need to make it.

    Ingredients

    • raw cashews
    • filtered water
    • apple cider vinegar
    • maple syrup
    • dried herbs: parsley, dill & chives
    • onion powder
    • garlic powder
    • celery seed
    • kosher salt
    • freshly ground black pepper

    How to Make Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing

    STEP 1

    Soak the raw cashews in boiling water for 20 minutes. Drain and rinse them before adding them to the base of your blender.

    STEP 2

    Add the rest of the ingredients to a blender and blend on high until completely smooth. Taste, and adjust seasoning as needed.

    Make It Your Way: Ingredient Substitutions

    Please remember that recipes are just a starting point.

    How can you make this dairy-free ranch dressing using what you already have? Here are some ideas…

    • No apple cider vinegar? ➝ use white wine vinegar or champagne vinegar instead
    • No dried herbs? ➝ for each herb, sub 1 tablespoon fresh herbs or do a mix and match of fresh and dried

    Helpful Tips

    FRESH HERBS VS DRIED HERBS

    For this recipe, using dried herbs is easier unless you happen to have some of the fresh herbs on hand. Otherwise, I find that the fresh herbs get wasted because they don't have another purpose in your weekly menu so they wilt and get slimy in the fridge.

    SOAKING THE CASHEWS

    If your blender isn't very powerful, you may have to soak the nuts longer. This will make them soft and easier to blend.

    THINNING THE DRESSING

    The dressing thickens as it sits, but keep in mind that if you add more water, it’ll dilute the salt, so taste and add more salt as needed.

    USING A FOOD PROCESSOR?

    Gradually add the water instead of all at once, otherwise, it'll shoot out the sides of the bowl.

    Recommended Tools

    • blender or food processor
    • rubber spatula - to scrape down the sides
    • jar with sealed lid - to store the dressing in (a great way to repurpose an old glass jar)

    More Dressings & Dips

    • Carrot Ginger Dressing
    • Poppyseed Dressing
    • Ultra Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
    a bowl of dairy-free ranch in a bowl on a veggie platter
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing

    This creamy dairy-free ranch dressing is going to become your new favorite go-to dip or dressing. Tastes as good as the real thing and made with simple, whole food ingredients.
    Prep Time25 minutes mins
    Total Time25 minutes mins
    Author: Lindsey Jenkins

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup raw cashews, soaked and rinsed
    • ½ cup + 2 tablespoons filtered water plus more as needed
    • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or substitute
    • 1 teaspoon maple syrup
    • 1 teaspoon dried parsley or 1 tablespoon fresh
    • 1 teaspoon dried dill or 1 tablespoon fresh
    • 1 teaspoon dried chives or 1 tablespoon fresh
    • ½ teaspoon onion powder
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon celery seed
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
    • freshly ground black pepper, to taste

    Instructions

    • Soak the raw cashews in boiling water for 20 minutes. Drain and rinse them before adding them to the base of your blender.
    • Add the rest of the ingredients to a blender or food processor (see notes) and blend on high until completely smooth. Taste, and adjust seasoning as needed.
    • Makes 1 ½ cups.

    Notes

    • Fresh herbs vs dried herbs. For this recipe, using dried herbs is easier unless you happen to have some of the fresh herbs on hand. Otherwise, I find that the fresh herbs get wasted because they don't have another purpose in your weekly menu so they wilt and get slimy in the fridge.
    • Soaking the cashews. If your blender isn't very powerful, you may have to soak the nuts longer. This will make them soft and easier to blend.
    • Thinning the dressing. The dressing thickens as it sits, but keep in mind that if you add more water, it’ll dilute the salt, so taste and add more salt as needed.
    • Using a food processor? Gradually add the water instead of all at once, otherwise, it'll shoot out the sides of the bowl.
    • How can you make this dairy-free ranch dressing using what you already have? Here are some ideas…
      • No apple cider vinegar? ➝ use white wine vinegar or champagne vinegar instead
      • No dried herbs? ➝ for each herb, sub 1 tablespoon fresh herbs or do a mix and match of fresh and dried

    More Condiment Recipes

    • A small ramekin of homemade Vietnamese peanut sauce with chopped peanuts on top with a spoon in it next to a bowl of chopped peanuts.
      Vietnamese Peanut Sauce
    • A bowl of homemade gluten free hoisin sauce.
      5 Minute Gluten Free Hoisin Sauce
    • A spoonful of thick homemade dairy free sweetened condensed milk dripping off a spoon into a jar.
      Dairy Free Sweetened Condensed Milk
    • A spoonful of mango compote next to a jar.
      Mango Compote

    Reader Interactions

    Rate & Review Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Lindsey. My goal is to teach you how to become a better cook, rely less on recipes, and be more adaptable in the kitchen depending on what's in season, in your pantry, or to fit your dietary needs. All recipes are dairy-free but come with a "make it your way" substitution section to get you started.

    More about me →

    Summer Recipes

    • A plate of spaghetti noodles with small burst cherry tomatoes in a sauce with fresh basil.
      Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta
    • A bowl of blackened-charred-corn with fresh lime wedges.
      Easy Skillet Blackened Corn
    • A bowl of homemade zucchini pesto.
      Pesto Di Zucchine (Zucchini Pesto)
    • Several glasses of fresh watermelon juice served on ice.
      Fresh Watermelon Juice Recipe

    Popular Posts

    • A small bowl of spicy sushi mayo with a spoon.
      Japanese Spicy Mayo (For Sushi, Poke, And Beyond)
    • Tomato paste pizza sauce spread onto a small pizza crust.
      Tomato Paste Pizza Sauce
    • Pouring basil infused simple syrup through a fine mesh strainer.
      How to Make Infused Simple Syrups
    • cast iron pot over a campfire
      14 Gourmet (But Easy) Camping Food Ideas

    Footer

    Get Started

    Capsule Pantry
    Cooking Basics
    Ingredient Pairings
    Substitutes

    Explore By Seasons

    Fall Recipes
    Winter Recipes
    Spring Recipes
    Summer Recipes

    Connect

    About
    Contact
    Subscribe
    Work With Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Privacy policy. Disclaimer. Copyright © 2022 A Nourishing Plate LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.