The secret to eating salads more often is definitely in the dressing! This Easy Vegan Ranch Dressing is one of my favorites. Not only is it super creamy & delicious, but it only takes 5 minutes!

And if you trying to be whole food plant based you know the importance of limiting & avoiding oil, which is a processed food.

Nut based dressings help you absorb fat soluble vitamins

But we do need to consume healthy fats with our greens because it helps us to absorb more of the fat soluble vitamins like vitamins A, K, & E.

So the secret is to make nut-based dressings so you get that creamy, savory flavor and also the healthy fats to help you absorb more of the micronutrients without having to add hundreds of calories with oil.

This cashew based vegan ranch dressing, is less than 100 calories for a 1/4 cup!!! If you read the back of a typical bottle of dressing at the store, it’s around 250 calories for only 2 tablespoons (1/8 cup).

So, nut based dressings are the way to go because you can use MORE dressing with a quarter of the calories. I mean, who actually uses only 2 tablespoons of dressing on a huge salad??? Um, no one…. I would guess most people use 2-3 times the amount so they are adding 500-750 extra calories to that healthy salad and wondering why they can’t lose weight.

Oh and this Easy Vegan Ranch Dressing comes with additional fiber & nutrients like calcium, potassium, vitamin A, and even protein. Oil based dressings do not.

Now, if you have a nut allergy, then you can sub white beans or cooked potato, however it’s not going to have the same creamy flavor as it will with nuts.

If you don’t have an allergy, I do recommend using the nuts because again it’s going to help you absorb more of the fat soluble vitamins in the greens, which is kind of the whole point in eating the salad in the first place! Dr. Fuhrman recommends one serving of nuts daily for this very reason AND studies have shown that people who eat nuts live years longer than non-nut eaters. I love being a little nutty!

Get good dried herbs for this Vegan Ranch Dressing

I recently bought fresh dried dill and realized I had been missing out on so much flavor!!! If you have old spices in your cabinet, like over a year old, it’s time to buy some new dried herbs. It really will make a difference in the flavor. Throw those dusty bottles away!

Not only do good dried herbs add lots of flavor, but they also have lots of antioxidants & micronutrients! So just think about the color, if your herbs are old & brown they have probably lost a lot of their nutrients over time. The new dried dill I bought was actually GREEN….LOL… and smells amazing.

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A high speed blender can make a difference

I also recommend that you use a high powered blender like a Vitamix or Blendtec. Other blenders like a 1000 watt Ninja works pretty good, but it just won’t be a 100% creamy like a Vitamix or Blendtec. If you don’t have a high powered blender, you will want to soak your nuts in warm water for at least 15 minutes to soften them so they blend better.

Easy Vegan Ranch Dressing Ingredients

• 1 cup cashews unsalted
• 3/4 cup unsweetened plant milk
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons dried dill
• 1/2 teaspoon dried chives
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt optional

5 Minute Dressing Recipe Instructions

• Add all ingredients to a high powered blender and blend until creamy.(If you don’t have a high powered blender, you will want to soak your cashews in warm water for at least 15 minutes to soften them)

More whole food plant based recipes you might enjoy:

• Oil Free Pecan Vinaigrette Dressing
• Vegan Baked Eggplant Parmesan (oil free)
• Tangy Spinach Hummus
• Healthy Vegan Breakfast Tacos
• Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
• Zesty Mango Quinoa Salad
• Easy Hummus Lettuce Boats
• Strawberry Spinach Salad
• My Favorite No Oil Salad Dressings

Learn How to Make Delicious Plant Based Recipes that are Quick, Easy, & Cheap!

Are new to a whole food plant based diet and a little overwhelmed? Not sure what you should and shouldn’t eat? Need help transitioning slowly with delicious & simple recipes your whole family will love that take 30 minutes or less? Let me help you with my Quick & Easy Plant Based Power Pack! I’ll give you the WFPB basics in simple to understand terms and tips on transitioning in a way that works for you. Learn more about my Quick & Easy Plant Based Power Pack HERE