Vegan Ranch Dressing

this oil free, vegan ranch dressing is a quick and easy recipe! a flavorful take on the classic – celery adds a crisp pop of flavor to this cool ranch!

recipe originally published January 22, 2013

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS – Jump to any section:

1. 1. Vegan Ranch
   2. How to make vegan ranch dressing
   3. Is this best chilled?
   4. Benefits of celery
   5. How long does ranch dressing last?
   6. More vegan salad dressings
   7. Celery Ranch Dressing Recipe

 

Vegan Ranch

In all my years of ranching (heh…), I have become quite the connoisseur. Not all ranch is the same. For instance, I love the flavor and consistency of something like a packet of ranch powder mixed with milk.

I do not enjoy the flavor or consistency of most ready made, store bought ranch dressing. I am not a fan of most bottled dressings.

I do love to make my own, and it takes just minutes to do.

First of all, I like a thin dressing. This celery ranch dressing is thin, dippable. I like the traditional ranch flavors, including whatever Cool Ranch means. Cool is most definitely an aspect of this flavor, and I have been trying to recreate it for a while now, in addition to the tangy herby flavors ranch is known for.

How to make vegan ranch dressing

This vegan ranch dressing has options – an oil free version and one that is mayonnaise based. 

While it may seem like a completely strange ingredient, coconut milk helps give it the cool taste I was looking for. If you want to try this recipe and think I’m nuts, please feel free to substitute milk of your choice, I promise it works with just about any unsweetened milk. I make it with all kinds of milk. 

If you want to use your vegan mayonnaise, just use it in place of the first three ingredients listed – leave out the cashews, lemon juice, and water.

If you like a Dill Ranch Dressing, add more dried dill! The flavor is incredible, and the color will take on a glorious green hue:

 

Should salad dressing be cold before using?

This celery ranch dressing definitely needs to be stored in the refrigerator, but it does not need to be cold before you serve it. I prefer my ranch “cool” but it tastes great right after you make it, too.

Benefits of celery

Celery has been having a moment recently. More than a moment, a lengthy pause in the spotlight. 

I will eat a piece of celery when I need a vehicle for a peanut butter snack, knowing I am benefitting from all sorts of fiber, antioxidants and vitamins. 

Ever hear the phrase “eat your water” from a doctor or nutritionist before? Celery is mostly water, and has a satisfying crunch under all of that peanut butter. 

Celery adds great flavor to this ranch dressing, a pairing that tastes like it was meant to be.

 

How long does ranch dressing last?

When refrigerated in a tightly covered container, this dressing will last about two weeks. It probably won’t last anywhere near that long – this deliciousness disappears quickly in our house.

Take a few minutes to add this recipe into your meal prep plans, and enjoy it all week!

More vegan dressing recipes

• Green Goddess Dressing
• Easy Poppyseed Dressing
• Vegan Thousand Island Dressing  
• Tangy Lemon Dressing
• Quick Dill Pickle Dressing
• Walnut Mustard Dressing
• Warm “Bacon” Dressing

 

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Yield: 1 cup

Vegan Ranch Dressing

Print

this quick and easy vegan ranch dressing recipe is flavorful take on the classic that is a favorite of so many - celery adds a crisp pop of flavor to this tangy cool ranch!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups raw cashews, soaked several hours* see notes for mayo
• juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
• 1/2 cup water – + depending on desired consistency
• 2 stalks celery, cleaned and trimmed
• 1/2 cup coconut milk (carton, not can), or your favorite non dairy milk
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• small bunch fresh chives, minced fine
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon Himalayan salt

Instructions

1. In blender, combine soaked cashews, lemon juice, and water. Blend at high speed until smooth. Pour into container you will store finished dressing.
2. Chop celery into smaller pieces, about an inch or so.
3. Add celery and milk to blender. Purée celery to a liquid until no celery strands remain.
4. To the blender, add cashew mixture, apple cider vinegar, chives, parsley, onion powder, dill, garlic powder, salt and pepper - blend to combine.
5. Store covered in refrigerator.

Notes

to substitute mayonnaise for the cashews:

add 1 cup mayonnaise and leave out the first three ingredients: cashews, lemon, and 1/2 cup water.

Like dill?

add more! another 1/2 teaspoon of dried dill turns this into a Dill Ranch Dressing. you may not taste the celery as much, but the benefits are still there.

No celery but have celery salt?

add a 1/2 teaspoon to begin, add more to taste.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Vitamix Blender, Low-Profile Container
• 
  Weck 742 Mold Jar - .5 Liter, Set of 6
• 
  Raw Organic Cashews

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

2 tablespoons
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 188Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 170mgCarbohydrates: 8gNet Carbohydrates: 4gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 5g

nutrition calculations results vary by calculator, are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to replace medical advice or treatment.

about Kristina:

Kristina is spabettie! She found cooking at an early age, and created spabettie in 2010 to share vegan recipes. Kristina turned her culinary training into sharing vibrant vegan food!  Read more…

 

 

 

 

 

spabettie / Kristina Sloggett is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.