Tangy and oh-so-creamy vegan ranch dressing that is easy to make at home! Soaked cashews work their magic to create the creamiest, dreamiest ranch dressing or dip that is totally plant based and dairy free.
Can vegans eat ranch?
Don’t worry! You can still have your favorite salad dressing even once you’ve given up dairy. And this vegan ranch tastes creamier and better than the original!
It seems like ranch is THE universal salad dressing for kids. Whether on a bed of lettuce or with some carrot sticks and cucumbers for dipping, is there anything better? All three of my kids love it.
Make a batch of this vegan ranch to use all week long! I suggest using a high powered blender like the Vitamix or If you don’t have one, just soak your cashews in hot water for at least an hour before blending.
How do you make vegan ranch?
It’s so easy and takes about 10 minutes total.
First, measure out 1 1/2 cups of raw cashews. Pour boiling hot water over them (I use my tea kettle for this) and let them soak for at least 5 minutes.
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Drain the cashews and add them to a blender, along with all the other ingredients (EXCEPT the dill). Blend until very creamy and smooth.
Then simply add the fresh (or dried) dill and pulse a few times or stir in. That’s it! Store in the fridge for up to 1 week, if it lasts that long.
Ideas for using Vegan Ranch
I love using this dressing in a variety of ways, such as:
- A dip with cut up veggie sticks like carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes and broccoli.
- On a large salad with romaine, tomatoes, peas, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, avocado chunks and chickpeas.
- Drizzled over pizza
- Making this Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
- And in veggie burgers, yum!
You could even dip potato chips or fries into it, if that’s your thing… 🙂
If you make this recipe, let me know how it goes! Rate it, leave a comment and tag a photo @nora_cooks_vegan on Instagram. Enjoy!
Best Homemade Vegan Ranch
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups raw cashew pieces
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- juice from 1 large lemon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 cup fresh dill OR 2-3 teaspoons dried dill*
Instructions
- Soak the raw cashew pieces in hot water for 5-10 minutes. I heat up water in my electric kettle and pour it over the cashews to soak.
- Drain the cashews and add to your blender. Add the remaining ingredients except the dill, and blend until very smooth.
- Now add the dill, and pulse a few times to combine. You don't want to blend the dill or it will end up very green.
- Serve on salad or with fresh vegetables for dipping. This will keep for up to a week in the fridge. It will thicken in the fridge, just thin out with water until it reaches the consistency you prefer.
Recipe Notes
- If you don't care for dill, you may substitute with parsley (1/3 cup fresh chopped small, or 2-3 teaspoons dried).
- For Sriracha Ranch, add 2-3 teaspoons Sriracha, or to taste when blending.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
Elizabeta
Hi Nora!
I absolutely looove your blog and your recipes.
Related this recipe, could we substitute rice vinegar with for example apple vinegar instead?
Nora
Thank you so much! Yes, no problem at all! You could even just use white vinegar, or more lemon juice.
Sam
What can I use instead of lemon juice? Thank you
Nora
Apple cider vinegar should work quite well.
Tina Marie
I am shocked at how much this tastes like ranch from a bottle! Thank you for this recipe. My toddler loved it too 🙂
Nora
Wonderful! So glad you enjoyed the ranch, I think it’s way better tasting than the vegan ranch you can buy. 🙂
Connie
This dressing is the bomb-diggity!!!!!
Emily
We made this with dill from the garden and used a Vitamix. We’re amazed at how good this is! It can be a dip or dressing- it’s thick when cold, so if using as a dressing, water could be added. It turned out green because I blended up the dill with everything else. So good!!
April
This is a life changing recipe! There are so many vegan ranch recipes out there, but none of them have so few ingredients or are as simple as yours, and yet this is the one that tastes the best! Thank you so much! Even the omnivores devoured it. I didn’t even add the vinegar (I had forgotten and then tasted it and it was so good I just didn’t add it). I can’t wait to try your meatball subs with stretchy cheese!
Nora
I’m so happy you loved the ranch! Thank you so much, I hope you enjoy the meatball subs and cheese.
Elizabeth
Is there a better way to make this creamier? I love the flavor but it’s very grainy. Thanks!
Nora
Hi Elizabeth! Do you have a high powered blender, such as a Vitamix? If you use a regular blender, it will be grainy, unfortunately. But with a high powered one it will be super creamy no problem.
Susan
I just made the ranch dressing and it is absolutely delicious as a dip! I will thin it a little bit if I use it as a dressing. Thank you so much for sharing it. I can’t wait to try some of your other recipes.
Jennifer Masters
I’m so glad I’ve found your site. I’m doing a 30 day detox and dairy is out. I will be making you ranch and queso this weekend. Reading all the positive reviews I’m sure I’m going to love them. I could find a dairy free sour cream recipe. Do you have one?
Nora
I’m glad you my site, too! 🙂 I do have a dairy free sour cream recipe, here: Cashew Sour Cream. Hope you enjoy the recipes!
Alex
Seriously, I’ve been looking for a homemade, simplisticvegan ranch and THIS IS IT!!! Thank you so much! I love it!
Nora
Glad you love the ranch, it’s so good!!
Shir
Great recipe !! Made this tonight and everyone loved it more than the store bought vegan ranch that we buy! I added a tad more water because we like it smoother for salads. But I’m super happy with it! Do you think it would work if I froze it in blocks and then defrosted a few blocks when I needed to use them?
Nora
I’m so happy you enjoyed this ranch, I absolutely love it! I think it would freeze well, but I haven’t tried it myself.
Anne
Great recipe! Very flavorful and easy to make. A much healthier and more compassionate version of original ranch dressing. Works great for a veggie dip. Thank you for sharing!
Nora
Thank you! It makes a great dip or salad dressing!
Becky
I made this for Thanksgiving to use with the veggie tray. Absolutely Amazing! Everyone that tried it, loved it!!
Definitely a 5 star recipe…I did use half dried dill half dried parsley because I have a niece that isn’t fond of too much dill.
Thank you!!!
Nora
So glad you enjoyed the vegan ranch! Thanks so much.
Kathy
This ranch dressing is great!!
Nora
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoy it!
Helen
Hi Nora I’m so glad I found you I just moved in with my daughter she is vegan I’m not ,I’m cooking and love your recipes I have made several and they are all great (maybe I will become vegan) I do need. my cheese not much but a little thank you for helping cook for my daughter 😊
Nora
That’s so wonderful Helen! I’m happy to hear that you are enjoying the recipes, even if you aren’t vegan yourself. 🙂 Thank you!
Hope
How long can this be stored for?
Nora
About a week in the refrigerator.
Michelle
Would cashew butter work instead of grinding the raw cashews? And if so about how much?
Nora
I don’t really think it would work the same and I haven’t ever tried it myself, but maybe you could try about 1/2 cup of cashew butter instead of the raw cashews. If it seems too watery, then add more. But again, just guessing I’ve never tried it so the results may not be as good!
Michelle
It worked! I’m sure it would be better with the raw cashews but it worked. 3/4 cup of cashew butter and I cut the salt because the cashew butter was salted. Will definitely make it again with raw cashews. But it works for tonight lol!
Stephanie
Can you use white vinegar or red wine vinegar instead of rice vinegar? I have all the ingredients except the rice vinegar.
Nora
Yes you could use either of those!
Alexandria Zuccarello
What about apple cider vinegar? do you think that will be stronger? I can’t remember what rice vinegar is like. Thank you!
Nora
I have used apple cider vinegar and it works well, too. 🙂
Denise
I made this and it was straight water, nothing to get smooth or add dill to!
Denise
Ok, so in full disclosure of a Pinterest fail, it helps when you actually add the cashews that were still draining in the sink!!!!
Nora
Ha ha! I’m glad it worked out!
Diane K
LOL….sounds like something I would do, thanks for coming back and clarifying. I won’t be afraid to try it now….
Ashley
this turned out really good! No modifications.
Nora
Woo hoo! 🙂