Whip this healthy homemade non dairy ranch dressing up in no time! With the option of fresh or dried herbs, homemade ranch can be kept on hand year round. Use it as a salad dressing, in bowls, or as a dip for veggies, pizza or french fries! This recipe is vegetarian or vegan and easily gluten free.
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A Classic Made Dairy Free
I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t love ranch dressing. It’s flavor packed, versatile, creamy and pairs with so many eats. Having a tasty and easy non dairy ranch dressing recipe in your back pocket means a hearty salad with ranch is never too far away.
I grew up on store bought ranch so I didn’t have a clue I could make my own until I started adulting. After learning how to cook, I discovered I wanted more control of the ingredients in the recipes I was making.
I first created this Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing, then started working on this dairy free version. I found homemade was easy to make and tastes better than anything I can buy, prepackaged, in the store.
Vegetarian or Vegan Ranch Dressing
While this recipe is dairy free, it can also be easily made vegan depending on the mayonnaise used in the recipe. Whatever mayo you choose, be sure to use your favorite high quality mayonnaise.
For my best vegan ranch dressing recipe, I recommend Veganease. It’s egg and dairy free and is absolutely delicious!
Quick Guide: How to Make Non Dairy Ranch Dressing
Quick to whip up, you’ll need a whisk, plant milk, your favorite mayo, some spices and either fresh or dried herbs. I find a bit of lemon juice in this vegan ranch recipe essential for the freshest flavor and a boost of tanginess. Who knew you could make dairy-free ranch dressing taste so good!? In summary, here’s how to whip it up (see recipe card for details):
- First, whisk together the mayo and non dairy milk.
- Second, sprinkle in the garlic granules, onion powder, salt and black pepper.
- Third, add the dill, parsley and chives.
- Next, squeeze in the lemon juice and thin with just a bit of milk.
- Last, whisk and refrigerate.
Because this ranch dressing is dairy free, you’ll notice there’s no buttermilk which is traditionally used to make ranch. To get that added tang we all love ranch dressing for, I include unsweetened homemade cashew milk and lemon juice as a stand in. However, your favorite dairy free milk will also work.
Plan ahead so your vegan ranch dressing has time to marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
FAQs
Can I Use Dried Herbs Instead of Fresh in Homemade Vegan Ranch Dressing?
Dried herbs are so convenient, especially when fresh is not in season. I’ve made this recipe with both and while I prefer fresh herbs for their color and freshness, this non dairy ranch dressing can also be made easily with dried.
If you’re making homemade ranch dressing with dried herbs, simply use half the amount called for in the recipe with exception to chives. Dried herbs tend to shrink in size when dried, so they’re smaller, for the most part, however, chives tend to not shrink as much.
Last, you’ll want to allow the dressing to set for about an hour to allow the dried herbs to fully hydrate.
What Kind of Milk Can I Use in Non Dairy Ranch?
Use your favorite plant milk in this recipe. I use unsweetened homemade cashew milk, but unsweetened almond milk, hemp milk or other non dairy milk will work too.
What Kind of Mayo Should I Include?
There are many options when it comes to mayonnaise! My favorite mayonnaise is an organic vegan mayo called Veganease. It’s dairy and egg free but still so rich! If not vegan or egg free, choose your favorite mayo to use in this recipe.
Should I Use Garlic Granules or Garlic Powder?
This dairy free ranch recipe calls for garlic granules. If garlic powder is what you have on hand, use it, but only half of what’s called for in the recipe. Garlic powder is a finer grind so it will pack a stronger punch if not reduced in this recipe.
What Can I Substitute if I Don’t Have Lemon?
No Lemon? Apple cider vinegar is a fine stand in. Use the same amount of apple cider vinegar for lemon in the recipe.
A Few Recipe Notes
- Use fresh herbs if possible for best and color and flavor.
- If including dried herbs instead of fresh, use half of what’s called for in the recipe (with exception to chives).
- This ranch non dairy ranch dressing will thicken as it rests in the fridge. To thin, add a splash of milk.
- For a non dairy and vegan ranch dip, simply use vegan mayo and reduce the milk by half in this recipe, adding more milk as needed to thin. The ranch will be thicker and richer.
Recipes to Use Your Healthy Ranch Dressing With
- Grilled BBQ Cauliflower Ranch Bowls
- Sourdough Pizza
- Crispy Oven Fries
- Gluten Free Pizza Crust
- Tangy Lentil Sloppy Joes – soo good drizzled on top!
Dairy Free Ranch Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 Tbs Plant Milk plus more as needed to thin. I use homemade cashew milk
- 3/4 C (165g) Mayonnaise vegetarian or vegan, I like Veganease
- 2 1/2 tsp Lemon Juice
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Granules or 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/4 tsp Fine Sea Salt
- 1 Pinch Ground Black Pepper
- 2 tsp Fresh Dill chopped
- 2 tsp Fresh Parsley chopped fine, curly or flat leaf
- 2 tsp Fresh Chives chopped fine
Instructions
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In a small mixing bowl, add the non dairy milk, mayo, lemon juice, garlic granules, onion powder, salt, pepper, dill, parsley, and chives. Whisk until all the ingredients come together creating a smooth texture.
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If a thinner dressing is desired, add another splash or two of milk.
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Rest the dressing in the fridge for at least 30 minutes so the flavors have time to marry. It will thicken as it rests in the fridge. If using dried herbs, give the dressing at least one hour so the herbs have time to fully hydrate.
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Store the dressing in a lidded container in the fridge for up to a week. Stir or shake before using as it tends to separate.
I’ve been lactose intolerant for at least 20 years so I’ve forgotten what the off-the-shelf ranch dressing tastes like anyway. I followed this recipe for the most part and it’s pretty good. I used all dried herbs, whipped dressing rather than mayo, and I added a little apple cider vinegar and dijon mustard. I probably went overboard on the herbs, but it’s going down anyway.
Hi Jae! Thank you for your note, tips and FIVE STAR rating! SO happy to hear you’re enjoying ranch again. Hooray!