Go Eat Green

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Contact
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Side dish

    Creamy Vegan Ranch Dressing Recipe (No Mayo, Oil-Free Dip)

    Published: Oct 18, 2021 by Marinela Malcheva


    Jump to Recipe

    This vegan ranch dressing recipe is entirely dairy-free, oil-free, and gluten-free. Enjoy this ultra-creamy homemade ranch as a tasty dressing, dip, or side with fresh or roasted veggies, salads, or put it literally on everything you like.

    Looking for a quick and easy salad dressing recipe with no mayo and no added oil?

    Look no further, here is the best vegan ranch that is super flavorful and extremely simple to make from scratch.

    Besides that, it's soy-free, egg-free, and so incredibly appetizing. I know it'll become your go-to healthy vegetable dipping sauce your kids will adore. What a clever way to get your children to eat their veggies, don't you think?

    Is homemade salad dressing healthier than store-bought?

    Carrot stick dipped in a creamy plant-based ranch dressing on table with raw cashews and freshly chopped veggies.

    Absolutely! Not only is this homemade savory dressing healthier but it's also fresher and way too delicious. Store-bought salad dressings are loaded with harmful oils, sugars, and lots of artificial flavorings and preservatives with awkward names. Why put in your body something you can't even pronounce?

    On the other side, you know exactly what you'll put in your vegan ranch dressing recipe. We'll use only wholesome, real food ingredients that are actually good for you. I assure you, you'll never go back to that ready-made dressing ever again. I forgot to mention that it's low in calories and fat compared to the classic one.

    Now, let's go to the kitchen and make it right now!

    What's in vegan ranch dressing (the ingredients)

    Wholesome, real food, simple ingredients for preparing homemade vegan ranch dressing recipe: soaked cashews, fresh parsley, oat milk, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup and spices.

    Instead of using mayonnaise or sour cream, like in the classic ranch recipes, we'll use cashews and vegan buttermilk to prepare this luscious dressing. You'll need a handful of basic plant-based pantry staples:

    • Raw cashews (to get that rich and creamy base)
    • Oat milk (unsweetened, plain, you can use cashew milk or almond milk instead)
    • Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
    • Apple cider vinegar
    • Fresh parsley
    • Maple syrup
    • Spices: salt, dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder, paprica powder, a pinch of freshly ground black pepper

    As always, you can find the full recipe with a list of ingredients with measurements in a printable recipe card at the end of this post.

    Easy vegan ranch dip made with simple wholesome ingredients.

    Time needed: 20 minutes

    How to make homemade vegan ranch dressing from scratch?

    All you really need to make this easy ranch dressing is to add all the ingredients to a high-powered blender and blend for a minute or two. There is no cooking required!

    1. Soak the cashews and make your vegan buttermilk

      Start by soaking your cashews in hot water for 15-30 minutes or longer. Or you can soak them in cold water overnight (my preferred method). In addition, soaking helps remove phytic acid allowing our bodies to absorb and digest the nutrients easily. In this way, they also will become very soft and easy to blend up.

      While cashews are soaking, in a small bowl mix oat milk and lemon juice. Stir and let it curdle for 10 minutes (this will be your "vegan buttermilk").

      A small bowl with vegan buttermilk for oil-free dip.

    2. Mix the ingredients

      Next, drain and rinse your cashews a couple of times, at the end, drain again. Add drained cashews, buttermilk, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and spices (except fresh parsley) in a high-powered blender and blend (1-2 minutes) until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.

      Cashews, plant milk and spices in a blender cup for preparing vegan ranch dipping.

    3. Blend

      After that, add fresh parsley and pulse just a few times. Don't over blend, we want those vibrant green speckles in our dressing.

      Taste and adjust the seasonings as per your taste. Add more salt for saltiness, lemon juice, or apple cider vinegar for a more tangy flavor or some of the other spices if you prefer it spicier.

      Creamy and rich vegan ranch or dip in a blender cup.

    4. Serve and enjoy it

      Serve it right away or refrigerate for a couple of hours to chill. Staying in the fridge, it'll thicken, so you can add 1-2 tablespoon plant milk or water to thin as needed.

      Store any leftovers in the fridge, covered in an airtight container for up to 7-8 days.
      Enjoy it with your favorite veggies, salads, vege-burgers, or pizza.

      A jar with thick and creamy vegan ranch dressing or dip in a wooden plate garnished with fresh chopped veggies as a side dish or snack.

    How to serve vegan ranch dressing with cashews

    A piece of cucumber dipped in plant-based, dairy-free ranch as an appetizer or snack.

    I must confess that I love to spread my mini chickpea flour frittatas with it and I don't know how many I could eat afterward 🙂 Also, we love to drizzle it over fresh salads, like this weight-loss cucumber salad, Mediterranean quinoa salad, or this healthy potato salad. Maybe try it on this simple, low-calorie butter lettuce salad? You must try to dip some warm roasted baby potatoes in it. It's perfection! Additionally, you can serve it with baked potato-zucchini patties, with eggless chickpea flour frittata, or these crispy zucchini fritters as an appetizer or snack. Enjoy it spread on your freshly baked unleavened flatbreads (3 ingredients only!) together with freshly chopped veggies as a light meal on its own. How yummy!

    Into easy spreads and dips? Try my super quick 5-minute avocado dip, immunity-boosting parsley avocado dipping sauce, or this homemade hummus without tahini.

    A jar with oil-free vegan dipping made without mayo or dairy.
    Can I eat ranch if I'm lactose intolerant?

    Of course, this vegan ranch without mayo that is a much healthier version of the traditional recipe is completely dairy-free. There is no sour cream, no dairy buttermilk, no yogurt in it. It's totally lactose-free. It'll perfectly fit in your lactose-free, clean eating menu.

    How do you store ranch?

    Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight glass jar for up to 7-8 days. If it becomes too thick after refrigerating, simply put 1-2 tablespoon plant milk or water to get the desired consistency. This dressing is not freezer-friendly.

    📖 Recipe

    Vegan ranch dressing recipe (no mayo, oil-free). Creamy dairy-free dip in a small jar with fresh chopped vegetables.

    Creamy Vegan Ranch Dressing Recipe (No Mayo, Oil-Free Dip)

    Marinela Malcheva
    This vegan ranch dressing recipe is entirely dairy-free,oil-free, and gluten-free. Enjoy this ultra-creamy homemade ranch as a tasty dressing, dip, or side with fresh or roasted veggies, salads, on everything you like.
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Dip, Dressing, Sauce, Snack
    Cuisine American, dairy-free, Gluten-free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Servings 8 servings (2 tablespoon each)
    Calories 105 kcal

    Equipment

    • Blender
    • Small bowl
    • Spoon

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup cashews raw, unsalted (soaked in cold water overnight or in very hot water for 15-30 minutes)
    • ¾ cup + 1 tablespoon oat milk unsweetened ( you can use any plain nondairy milk)
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
    • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
    • ½ teaspoon maple syrup
    • ¼ cup fresh parsley
    • ½ teaspoon salt or more to taste
    • 1 teaspoon dried dill
    • 1 teaspoon paprika powder
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon onion powder

    Instructions
     

    • Start by soaking your cashews in hot water for 15-30 minutes or longer. Or you can soak them in cold water overnight (my preferred method). In addition, soaking helps remove phytic acid allowing our bodies to absorb and digest the nutrients easily. In this way, they also will become very soft and easy to blend up. While cashews are soaking, in a small bowl mix oat milk and lemon juice. Stir and let it curdle for 10 minutes (this will be your "vegan buttermilk").
      A small bowl with vegan buttermilk for oil-free dip.
    • Next, drain and rinse your cashews a couple of times, at the end, drain again. Add drained cashews, buttermilk, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and spices (except fresh parsley) in a high-powered blender and blend (1-2 minutes) until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
      Cashews, plant milk and spices in a blender cup for preparing vegan ranch dipping.
    • After that, add fresh parsley and pulse just a few times. Don't over blend, we want those vibrant green speckles in our dressing. Taste and adjust the seasonings as per your taste. Add more salt for saltiness, lemon juice, or apple cider vinegar for a more tangy flavor or some of the other spices if you prefer it spicier.
      Creamy and rich vegan ranch or dip in a blender cup.
    • Serve it right away or refrigerate for a couple of hours to chill. Staying in the fridge, it'll thicken, so you can add 1-2 tablespoon plant milk or water to thin as needed. Store any leftovers in the fridge, covered in an airtight container for up to 7-8 days. Enjoy it with your favorite veggies, salads, vege-burgers, or pizza.
      A jar with thick and creamy vegan ranch dressing or dip in a wooden plate garnished with fresh chopped veggies as a side dish or snack.

    Notes

    • This recipe yields approximately 1 + ¼ cup of dressing.
    • Note that some cashews tend to have a sweeter taste, if yours are like that omit the maple syrup and add more salt to balance out the sweetness.
    • Add s tablespoon of milk at a time if your ranch dressing is way too thick.
    • You can add fresh dill, chives, or finely chopped cucumber if you desire.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 105kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 3gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 160mgPotassium: 140mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 211IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword dairy-free, easy, homemade, no mayo, no oil, nondairy, oil-free, plant based, quick, vegan ranch dressing recipe, vegan ranch dressing with cashews, without mayo
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    How did you use this vegan ranch dressing recipe? If you tried it, please rate it, leave a comment below, and share your photo on Instagram with the tag @go_eatgreen and hashtag it #go_eatgreen. I would love to hear about your experience and your comments just make my day!

    Follow me on Pinterest for more easy and delicious vegan recipe ideas.

    Love, Marinela💚


    More Side dish

    • Vegan cucumber strawberry salad.
      Vegan Cucumber Strawberry Salad
    • Homemade rustic whole wheat bread.
      Homemade Rustic Whole Wheat Bread Recipe
    • Jackfruit burger patties (vegan and gluten free).
      Jackfruit Burger Patties (Vegan & Gluten-Free)
    • Cucumber beet salad with homemade lemon vinaigrette.
      Cucumber Beet Salad

    Comments

    1. Stef says

      October 19, 2021 at 3:19 pm

      5 stars
      I love this idea! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Marinela says

        October 20, 2021 at 1:39 am

        That's great! Thank you for commenting.

        Reply
    2. Aneta says

      October 23, 2021 at 10:18 pm

      5 stars
      I love your healthy recepies 💚

      Reply
      • Marinela says

        October 24, 2021 at 9:15 pm

        Thank you for your kind words, Aneta, I'm glad you love them!

        Reply
    5 from 11 votes (9 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




    A vegan food blogger, photographer, and recipe developer who is passionate about cooking simple, tasty, and budget-friendly recipes with wholesome God-given ingredients. Welcome to my vegan world! My goal is to share these delicious plant-based recipes with you so you can lead more healthy and happy lives!

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Healthy overnight oats for weight loss with frozen fruit and sliced banana.
      Healthy Overnight Oats For Weight Loss (Vegan)
    • Easy vegan scrambled eggs with chickpea flour (no tofu).
      Easy Vegan Scrambled Eggs With Chickpea Flour (No Tofu)
    • Cucumber vinegar salad recipe with red onion and sesame seeds. Easy vegan side dish.
      Cucumber Vinegar Salad Recipe (Weight-Loss Side Dish)
    • Unleavened bread for Passover.
      Unleavened Bread for Passover (No Yeast, 3 Ingredients)
    • Peach raspberry smoothie without yogurt or banana for weight loss
      Raspberry Peach Smoothie Without Yogurt (No Banana)
    • Grated potato fritters (vegan potato latkes).
      Grated Potato Fritters (Vegan Potato Latkes)

    Footer

    ↑ BACK TO TOP

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Meet Marinela

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    Copyright © 2025 Go Eat Green

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.