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closeup view of vegan italian dressing in a dressing jar with salad in the background.
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Vegan Italian Dressing (Oil-Free)

This oil-free Vegan Italian Dressing will leave you pleasantly surprised with its rich, velvety texture and bursting flavors of aromatic herbs with zesty accents. Best of all, it's a breeze to whip up, ensuring you have a freshly made, tastier alternative to the store-bought options.
Course Dressing
Cuisine American, Vegan
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 6 people
Calories 71kcal

Ingredients

  • cup raw cashews , soaked in water 2 hours (*See note)
  • ¾ cup soy milk , unsweetened (or any plant-based milk)
  • ¼ cup non-dairy yogurt , unsweetened (I prefer So Delicious)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice , fresh squeezed
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup (or preferred sweetener)
  • 2 teaspoons nutritional yeast (optional)
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning , more to taste (leave 1 teaspoon separate)
  • ¾ teaspoon sea salt , more to taste
  • ½ teaspoon granulated garlic
  • ¼ teaspoon granulated onion
  • Fresh cracked pepper , to taste

Instructions

  • Rinse cashews and discard soaking water. Place in a high-powered blender, along with the rest of the ingredients (except for 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning). Blend on high for 2-3 minutes, until creamy and smooth. Scrape down sides as needed. Taste for seasoning and add as needed (*the dressing will appear thin, but it will thicken up as it chills). 
  • Transfer to a small container with a lid. Stir in the remaining Italian seasoning. Cover and chill for 30-60 minutes. Give it a good stir before serving. If it's too thick after stirring, add a few teaspoons of water and combine. Store in fridge for 3-4 days. 

Notes

  • To soften cashew faster: In a small pot, boil water and remove from heat. Add cashews and cover for 15-20 minutes, until softened.
  • If you don't have a high-powered blender, the cashews might not break down all the way. You can try soaking them overnight in the fridge to make them softer.
  • Yields about 1 ½ cups of dressing. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1(¼ cup) | Calories: 71kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Sodium: 308mg | Potassium: 120mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 75IU | Vitamin C: 3.2mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 1mg