Description
This creamy vegan ranch dressing is made from raw cashews and hemp hearts, blended with fresh herbs and seasonings to create a tangy, dairy-free alternative perfect for salads, dips, or drizzling over your favorite dishes. It’s quick to prepare, with a smooth texture and fresh herbaceous flavor.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 2/3 cup raw cashews
- 1/3 cup hemp hearts
- 1 tbsp neutral oil (such as grapeseed oil)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 2/3 cup water
Seasonings
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (or 1 clove fresh garlic, chopped)
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/8 tsp celery seed (optional)
Fresh Herbs
- 4 tbsp fresh dill, parsley, and/or chives (mix and match to preference)
Instructions
- Soak the Cashews: Pour boiling water over the raw cashews or place them in a bowl with water and microwave for 2 minutes, then let soak for 15 minutes. Drain and rinse the cashews thoroughly to prepare them for blending.
- Blend Base Ingredients: Add the drained cashews to a blender along with the hemp hearts, neutral oil, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, water, and fresh garlic if using. Blend until completely smooth, which may take several minutes depending on your blender’s power.
- Add Seasonings: Incorporate the garlic powder (if not using fresh garlic), onion powder, salt, black pepper, and celery seed (if using) into the blender. Blend briefly to mix all the seasonings well.
- Mix in Fresh Herbs: Remove the blended dressing from the blender and gently stir in the chopped fresh dill, parsley, and/or chives to retain their vibrant flavor and texture.
Notes
- Soaking the cashews softens them and ensures a creamy dressing texture without grittiness.
- You can customize the herbs according to your taste or availability; dill, parsley, and chives all work beautifully.
- The dressing can be thinned further with water to achieve your desired consistency.
- Store leftover dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Celery seed is optional but adds authentic ranch flavor if included.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes (including soaking)
- Category: Dressing
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
