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Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing | Creamy and full of flavor, this dairy-free ranch dressing is my whole-food-based, nutrient-dense take on the store-bought version that’s full of dairy and a lot of unpronounceable ingredients. | simplytothrive.com

Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing

Creamy and complex flavors. Besides serving with salad, use as a dip, to make kale chips, mix

into zoodles, or use as a sauce for something like tacos.

Total Time 10 minutes
Author Noelle

Ingredients

  • Raw cashews, soaked until softened, 20-30 minutes, and drained
  • Zucchini or yellow crooked-neck squash, chopped
  • Lemon, peeled and chopped, or juiced
  • Raw apple cider vinegar, optional
  • Celery, chopped
  • Water, as needed
  • Fresh garlic, minced
  • Granulated garlic, optional
  • Onion powder
  • Fresh parsley, torn or roughly chopped
  • Fresh or dried dill
  • Ground cumin
  • Pinch kelp or dulse flakes
  • Freshly ground black pepper


Instructions

  1. In a high-speed blender, add about equal parts cashews and zucchini to a high-speed blender. Add as much lemon as desired, start with about half if unsure, and a splash of raw apple cider vinegar if using. Lastly, add the celery, about 1 stalk is a great place to start. Remember, you can always add more ingredients in after tasting, but can’t take away.

  2. Blend on high, slowly streaming in water to help blend (remember the squash has water in it) until you reach desired thickness and it becomes very creamy. Use less water to make a dip or more water to make a pourable dressing.

  3. Taste. Assess the thickness and taste. Adjust with more lemon or water if needed. If you’ve added too much water, blend in additional squash or cashews to make it more thick.

  4. 4. Now, let’s add the seasonings, which are all to taste. Add as much of the remaining ingredients as desired. If unsure, try about 1 teaspoon of each of the dried seasonings and add more as needed after tasting. If incorporating using the blender, blend on low to prevent the garlic and herbs from getting completely macerated. If whisking the seasonings in by hand, make sure to chop the herbs ahead of time.

  5. Taste. Assess the flavor and adjust by adding in more herbs, spices, or even lemon if desired.

Recipe Notes

This stores in the fridge for several days, up to a week, so can easily be made in a large amount and use throughout the week.

This dressing thickens as it sits, especially if it sits overnight. A splash of water may need to be added.