Last Updated on 17th July 2022 by
Are you in the mood for a tangy, creamy ranch?
I consider a ranch a must-have for all my burger, pizza, chicken wing, and even french fry cravings. That’s why I always keep some of it in my fridge. And if you’re a vegan looking for a recipe to satisfy your cravings without worrying about dairy, you’re in luck because I know how to make a yummy vegan ranch!
You can make this easy and quick recipe in your kitchen, even during your free time. This dish is vegan, gluten-free, and an excellent option for those people watching their carb intake. So why not try it?
What Is Vegan Ranch Made Of?
So what is vegan ranch made of that makes it a must-have in almost any dish and occasion? Can we even make it from scratch?
Yes! You can make this vegan ranch recipe that I will share with you in your kitchen and even from scratch. The vegan ranch is fantastic on salads for starters, but I also enjoy using it as a dip for vegetables, as a spread for sandwiches, and even as a topping for baked potatoes, french fries, and even burgers. It has so many uses!
It’s also creamy and thick, like conventional ranch dressing, despite the absence of dairy. The best part of this recipe? It takes less than 5 minutes to prepare and only calls for less than ten ingredients!
How To Make Vegan Ranch
The ranch is an ideal accompaniment, whether making pizza, fries, salad, or chicken wings. You may not use ranch because of its dairy content, but I have some good news if you’re a vegan.
Did you know you can make a delicious vegan ranch recipe with some twists in your home? You can even personalize or adjust the flavor based on your preference by making a vegan ranch dressing or vegan ranch seasoning. And if you’re wondering how, keep reading, and I will teach you!
How To Make Vegan Ranch Dressing
My secret on how to make vegan ranch dressing is that I primarily use avocados, tofu, or raw cashews to make a creamy, dairy-free ranch dressing that is gluten-free and vegan. However, we will only use tofu for this recipe since it is easy to find and buy, and most of the people I know prefer tofu in their vegan ranch dressing.
Tofu is one of my favorite foods to use when making vegan ranch dressing. Aside from this, I also use tofu to produce tasty and nutritious dishes because it is an excellent substitute for meat and animal products. In making vegan ranch dressing, tofu is the go-to ingredient since its texture blends out smooth and creamy without adding a lot of fat or calories. It also adds richness and creaminess to a low-calorie vegan ranch dressing.
To make the vegan ranch dressing, you will need some vegan mayonnaise, tofu, non-dairy milk, lemon juice, garlic powder but optional, apple cider vinegar, chives, and dried parsley. There is no dressing without these first four ingredients, which give creaminess, acidity, savory tastes, and a bit of spice to the dressing.
I use fresh herbs like parsley, dill (what is dill used for), and chives for an additional acidic taste. However, you may exclude the parsley if you don’t like it, but it enhances the flavor of the dressing. Anyway, with or without the parsley, it will still taste amazing.
Vegan mayonnaise and dairy-free milk may easily be substituted for the classic ranch dressing recipe. However, other plant-based milk, such as soy or almond, can also be used. If you don’t have any non-dairy milk on hand, you can use buttermilk instead.
Once you have the ingredients, make the preparations for the equipment. A high-speed blender is all you need to make a vegan ranch. And if you don’t have a high-speed blender, you may alternatively create a vegan ranch dressing in a food processor.
Before blending them, I suggest you mix them all first. Using a whisk, I recommend combining the ingredients in a big bowl. After this, blend them but avoid over-blending, and you’ll have a smooth and creamy basis for your vegan ranch dressing.
Add extra water or mayo if necessary. Just a tip – do not be afraid to add more water or mayo to achieve your desired consistency of the vegan ranch. This ranch dressing may thicken in the fridge, so I add a little extra milk to thin it down, especially if I make it ahead of time. You can also add additional mayo if you want yours to be on the thicker side!
Before serving, allow it to cool. I suggest you put it in the fridge until you are ready to serve it.
How To Make Vegan Ranch Seasoning
Now that I taught you how to make your vegan ranch dressing, another recipe I can give you is how to make vegan ranch seasoning.
Vegans and vegetarians alike probably have indulged in the need for ranch dressing at some point or another. It’s possible to buy vegan alternatives in the shop, but I like to create my own since I can save money and make a dish to tailor my taste. This dish is also one of my go-to vegan ranches when I have cravings because it is easy to make and only needs a few ingredients.
I make my ranch seasoning at home by simply blending dry herbs and spices. It’s a terrific method to save money and eliminate the chemicals and harmful preservatives commonly present in commercial ranch seasonings. We can use this seasoning as a dip, a substitute for dried ranch seasoning in dishes, or even sprinkled over vegetables!
To make this vegan ranch seasoning, you will need some raw cashews soaked for at least 2 hours. Soaking the cashews ahead of time can give you more time to work on the seasoning and make the whole cooking process sooner. Aside from the cashews, you will also need one cup of rice milk or other plant-based milk, two garlic cloves, two teaspoons of white wine vinegar or lemon juice, chopped parsley, and salt and pepper to taste.
Blend the cashews, lemon juice, water, and vinegar in a food processor or blender until smooth. After this, scrape down the sides of the blender a few times to get a smooth mixture, and mince half of the herbs and add them to the mixture. Stir in the rest of the herbs, mix thoroughly, and serve. This vegan ranch seasoning can last up to two weeks if refrigerated or stored in an air-tight container.
Although you can buy a commercial vegan ranch dressing and seasoning in supermarkets and grocery stores, what I love most about making my own is that I can save more money and choose the ingredients I want to put. Like me, you can also add your flavor to your vegan ranch with a few simple ingredients.
I'm Pauline, a mother of four grown children, my passion for cooking stemmed from the joy i get cooking for my family. I love to try new dishes, especially when dining out but creating and sharing my own recipes is my favourite thing to do!
