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A creamy, tangy, herby, vegan ranch dressing with a hint of southwest flavors. This dressing is super versatile! Try it on salads, burgers, baked potatoes, stirred into soup, as a dip for raw veggies or french fries…the possibilities are endless!
If you thought you had to give up ranch dressing because you follow a plant based diet, it’s your lucky day. You don’t have to!
There are plenty of store bought options for dairy-free ranch these days, but personally I haven’t found one that is worth spending the money on.
With just 10 ingredients and a blender, you can whip up this homemade version in less than 5 minutes!
Ingredient notes and substitutions
Traditional ranch dressing ingredients usually include mayonnaise or oil with buttermilk, garlic, onion, herbs and spices. They are popular because they are creamy and tangy and full of flavor.
This recipe is certainly creamy and tangy and full of flavor and herbs like dill, oregano, and chives, but my homemade version is dairy free, gluten free, and even oil free!
Cashews ~ Blended raw cashews make a creamy base for this vegan ranch and will yield the best results.
For a nut free version, try hemp seeds or sunflower seeds. You can also use 1 cup of vegan mayonnaise in place of the cashews.
Herbs ~ I like dill, oregano, and chives. You can throw in some parsley, as well, if you like.
Vinegar ~ Typically I used apple cider vinegar, but white distilled vinegar works just as well.
Spices ~ I add a little cumin and smoked paprika to give this vegan ranch a southwest flare. The cumin and paprika are not at all overpowering and this dairy free dressing would work on pretty much anything you could throw its way. But, the added flavors do bring just a little extra something to liven up your food.
You can leave these spices out if you want a traditional ranch dressing flavor. Or you can kick up a notch and add a dash of chili powder or cayenne, too.
Try my Vegan Chipotle Crema if you like a spicy southwest flavor!
How to make the recipe
Please scroll down to the recipe card for exact ingredient measurements and instructions.
If you don’t have a high-speed blender, like a Vitamix or Blendtec, you’ll need to soak your raw cashews in hot water water for a couple of hours to ensure they blend up smooth and creamy.
Then, just throw all the ingredients into the blender and purée until perfectly smooth.
If the dressing seems too thick, you can add additional water 1 tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
Pro tips for success
Use raw cashews for the creamiest dressing and best flavor.
Be sure to soak the cashews for several hours if you don’t have a high speed blender to ensure they blend up perfectly creamy.
Use fresh squeezed lemon juice for the best and brightest flavor.
Blend until silky smooth. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time if needed to loosen it up.
Taste and adjust seasoning to your liking. Add an extra pinch of salt, squeeze of lemon, or dash of dill, etc.
Use this vegan ranch dressing on salads, burgers, baked or roasted potatoes, as a dip for raw veggies or oven fries, or add a dollop to chilis or soups.
FAQs
Traditional ranch dressing is made with dairy and is not vegan. However, there are several brands making vegan ranch these days. It’s really easy to make your own at home, too!
Traditional ranch isn’t typically a healthy choice. It contains dairy and oil and if it’s store-bought, likely excess sodium and unnecessary additives and preservatives, too.
My homemade vegan ranch dressing, however, is made from real whole food plant based ingredients and contains protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and healthy fats.
This dressing will last for 3-4 days in an air-tight container in the fridge.
More vegan salad dressing recipes
I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! If you tried it, please use the rating system in the recipe card and leave a comment below with your feedback.
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Southwest Vegan Ranch Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cup raw cashews soaked for 1 to 2 hours if you don't have a high speed blender
- ½ cup water
- Juice of 1 lemon about 2 tablespoons
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 clove garlic
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 teaspoon snipped chives
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients in a high speed blender until smooth. Add additional water by the tablespoon, if needed, to thin it out.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are calculated using online calculators and are estimates only. Please verify using your own data.
Levan Wee says
Jennifer, this looks absolutely fabulous!!! That dressing is to die for. Thanks for sharing another amazing recipe!
Jenn S. says
Thanks so much, Levan!
Howie Fox says
I LOVE cumin! Lots of herbs and tangy is deffo also my thing 🙂
The more I read about it the more I thought about trying it. Thanks for sharing!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Hauke! This dressing definitely has a little extra something, but it’s still mild enough to use on pretty much everything!
melmcdonald2 says
Yum! I could just drink it….it looks so good! Fabulous idea to serve it with veggie patties too.
Jenn S. says
LOL! Thanks, Mel!
Audrey @ Unconventional Baker says
That looks amazing <3 Love a good creamy dressing and love finding new ways to use up all the chive bushes in my garden. When we moved in I discovered the previous owners must have REALLY loved their chives — soooo many bushes haha 😀
Gwen @SimplyHealthyFamily says
I am beyond thrilled to have found this!!!! Can’t wait to make a huge batch!! How long do you think it will keep in the fridge?
Jenn S. says
Hi, Gwen. I’m not really sure. I have kept it for a week, but nothing longer because I never have any left after that. I hope you love it!
The Vegan 8 says
I still need to try this!! It looks so dang incredible! I be the flavor is outstanding!
Jenn S. says
It’s so good! And even though there are some southwest spices in here, it really is a mild flavor that goes well with everything! Thanks, Brandi!
Pretty Practical Pantry says
I love homemade dressings – certainly helps to keep sodium at bay!
chrysta2014 says
Yesss! Ok so in my opinion ranch is good on pretty much anything. This is such a good condiment to have on hand for some quick and tasty meals. Thanks for sharing!!
Jenn S. says
Oh yes, I totally agree…it goes with EVERYTHING! Thanks, Chrysta!
Madiha says
This is a lovely sauce that I can eat with just about anything!
Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Madiha! It does go with pretty much everything!
Linda @ Veganosity says
I have all of the ingredients in my kitchen and can’t wait to make this to put on my salad this afternoon. Thanks Jenn!
Jenn S. says
Great, Linda! Can’t wait to hear what you think!
Nichole Kraft, Food Writing Copyeditor says
I love ranch, I love cumin, and I love smoked paprika! This is ranch dressing heaven! I bet it would be great on baked potatoes. Mmmm… Thanks for sharing!
Jenn S. says
Yes, Nichole! I used it on roasted potatoes just a few days ago…delicious! Thanks for stopping by!
Nichole Kraft, Food Writing Copyeditor says
Now I have ranchy potatoes on the brain! And you’re welcome–I plan to follow along and see what other yummy things you have up your sleeve. 🙂
Sophia @veggies dont bite says
Look delicious Jenn! Love that you are on the sauce train. Brandi and I made up a hashtag to use for our sauces that I’ll be posting on IG about tomorrow…we must get sauces to take over the world! Buahahahaha!!!
Jenn S. says
Ooooh, I love it! Let me know what the hashtag is! The sauce makes the meal!!!
veggiesdontbite says
The sauce definitely makes the meal! I could eat sauce all day!
Jenn S. says
I know you could!! I could too! Sauces rule!
The Vegan 8 says
This looks sooooo good Jennifer!!! I LOVE the idea of adding cumin and smoky paprika! Oh my! Can’t wait to try it! Oh, and I do the same exact thing with my Mexican Black Bean burgers….I crumble them up and put them in burritos as taco meat! So good! Your salad looks gorgeous!
Jenn S. says
Thank you so much, Brandi! It was the perfect dressing for that taco salad, but I drizzled it over roasted potatoes today and it was divine!! 🙂
Natalie says
Give me a carrot stick, there’s dipping to be done!
Jenn S. says
For sure! It goes with everything!
Strength and Sunshine says
Now this is a ranch I can fully support! Yum!
Jenn S. says
🙂 Thanks!!