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.
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
Ashley
November 4, 2017 at 2:33 pmthis turned out really good! No modifications.
Nora
November 5, 2017 at 1:58 pmWoo hoo! 🙂
Denise
November 5, 2017 at 1:18 pmI made this and it was straight water, nothing to get smooth or add dill to!
Denise
November 5, 2017 at 1:22 pmOk, so in full disclosure of a Pinterest fail, it helps when you actually add the cashews that were still draining in the sink!!!!
Nora
November 5, 2017 at 1:58 pmHa ha! I’m glad it worked out!
Diane K
March 16, 2019 at 8:03 amLOL….sounds like something I would do, thanks for coming back and clarifying. I won’t be afraid to try it now….
Stephanie
January 29, 2018 at 10:49 amCan you use white vinegar or red wine vinegar instead of rice vinegar? I have all the ingredients except the rice vinegar.
Nora
January 29, 2018 at 12:01 pmYes you could use either of those!
Alexandria Zuccarello
December 17, 2018 at 2:23 pmWhat about apple cider vinegar? do you think that will be stronger? I can’t remember what rice vinegar is like. Thank you!
Nora
December 17, 2018 at 4:18 pmI have used apple cider vinegar and it works well, too. 🙂
Michelle
September 6, 2018 at 4:34 pmWould cashew butter work instead of grinding the raw cashews? And if so about how much?
Nora
September 6, 2018 at 9:13 pmI 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
September 7, 2018 at 4:39 pmIt 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!
Hope
September 30, 2018 at 8:42 pmHow long can this be stored for?
Nora
October 1, 2018 at 12:39 pmAbout a week in the refrigerator.
Helen
November 28, 2018 at 9:16 amHi 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
November 28, 2018 at 3:14 pmThat’s so wonderful Helen! I’m happy to hear that you are enjoying the recipes, even if you aren’t vegan yourself. 🙂 Thank you!
Kathy
December 1, 2018 at 5:49 pmThis ranch dressing is great!!
Nora
December 2, 2018 at 5:59 amThanks! I’m glad you enjoy it!
Becky
December 5, 2018 at 9:38 amI 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
December 5, 2018 at 3:31 pmSo glad you enjoyed the vegan ranch! Thanks so much.
Anne
December 11, 2018 at 6:42 pmGreat 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
December 12, 2018 at 6:12 amThank you! It makes a great dip or salad dressing!
Shir
December 13, 2018 at 8:38 pmGreat 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
December 14, 2018 at 7:19 amI’m so happy you enjoyed this ranch, I absolutely love it! I think it would freeze well, but I haven’t tried it myself.
Alex
December 17, 2018 at 5:37 pmSeriously, I’ve been looking for a homemade, simplisticvegan ranch and THIS IS IT!!! Thank you so much! I love it!
Nora
December 18, 2018 at 6:18 amGlad you love the ranch, it’s so good!!
Jennifer Masters
January 11, 2019 at 7:49 amI’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
January 11, 2019 at 7:53 amI’m glad you my site, too! 🙂 I do have a dairy free sour cream recipe, here: Cashew Sour Cream. Hope you enjoy the recipes!
Susan
January 20, 2019 at 10:32 amI 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.
Elizabeth
February 2, 2019 at 4:52 pmIs there a better way to make this creamier? I love the flavor but it’s very grainy. Thanks!
Nora
February 2, 2019 at 5:00 pmHi 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.