Three Vegan Salad Dressings: Tahini, BBQ Ranch, Green Goddess
Master three versatile vegan dressings in one recipe. The creamy tahini version brings nutty, bright lemon notes perfect for grain bowls. The smokey BBQ ranch delivers rich, smoky depth with cashew creaminess and a hint of heat, ideal for hearty salads or dipping. The herbaceous green goddess combines fresh mint, parsley and chive for a vibrant, garlicky option that awakens any plate. Each dressing stores for days, making meal prep effortless. Perfect for weeknight dinners, lunch boxes, or entertaining plant-based guests who expect restaurant-quality flavor.
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp tahini, runny and smooth
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp oregano, fresh, chopped finely
- ¼ tsp garlic granules
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp water, or as needed(optional)
- 2 ½ oz cashews, raw, soakedsunflower seeds1:1allergen-friendly creaminess for BBQ ranchtree_nuts-free
soaking time identical
Full guide → - 8 tbsp plant-based milk, unsweetenedoat milk1:1creamier result for BBQ ranchdairy-free
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- 2 tbsp vegan BBQ sauce
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp chive, fresh, chopped
- ½ tsp garlic granules
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 pinch cayenne or chilli powder, or chipotle, plus extra(optional)
- ¾ cups dairy-free yoghurt, coconut or unsweetened plant-basedsilken tofu100g for 180g yoghurtin green goddessblend longer for smoothnessadds soy
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- ⅓ oz fresh herbs, mint, parsley and chive mixed
- 1 garlic clove, peeled
- 1 lemon, juiced
- ¼ tsp chilli flakes
Instructions
- 1
For tahini dressing: combine tahini, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, oregano, garlic granules, salt and pepper in jar or bowl. Stir or shake until smooth, adding water gradually until desired consistency.
- 2
For BBQ ranch dressing: soak cashews in filtered water for 8 hours or overnight, or in boiling water for 1 hour. Drain and rinse thoroughly.
- 3
Add soaked cashews, plant-based milk, BBQ sauce, lemon juice, chive, garlic granules, onion powder and cayenne or chilli powder to blender. Blend until very smooth.
- 4
For green goddess dressing: add yoghurt, fresh herbs, garlic clove, lemon juice and chilli flakes to blender. Process until smooth.
- 5
Transfer all dressings to sealed containers and refrigerate.
Tips
Soak cashews in boiling water for quick prep (1 hour vs overnight). Cold soaking yields slightly creamier texture; hot soaking saves time without sacrificing smoothness.
Adjust dressing consistency immediately after blending. Tahini and BBQ ranch thicken slightly as they chill; make them slightly looser than desired final texture.
Layer fresh herbs in green goddess just before blending to preserve bright color and prevent oxidation. Blend briefly to avoid grey-green dressing.
Good to Know
Sealed container in refrigerator for 2-3 days. Tahini dressing may separate; shake or stir before use. BBQ ranch and green goddess remain stable.
Prepare all three dressings up to 3 days in advance. Soak cashews overnight to streamline morning prep. Store separately to prevent flavor bleeding.
Drizzle tahini dressing over grain bowls, roasted vegetables or simple green salads. Use BBQ ranch as dip for crudites or crispy tofu. Spoon green goddess over leafy greens, pasta salads or alongside grilled vegetables.
Common Mistakes
Add water gradually to tahini dressing to avoid over-thinning; thick dressing is easier to adjust than watery.
Rinse soaked cashews thoroughly to remove bitterness that affects final flavor.
Blend green goddess briefly to preserve herb texture and color; over-processing creates gray-green paste.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
Nut-Free Alternatives
soaking time identical
Full guide →General Alternatives
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FAQ
Can I make these dressings without a blender?
Tahini dressing requires no blender; shake in jar. BBQ ranch and green goddess need smooth texture; use immersion blender or thorough whisking, though cashew texture may be slightly grainier without high-speed blending.
How long do these dressings keep and can I freeze them?
Refrigerate in sealed containers 2-3 days. Freezing not recommended; water content causes separation and texture degradation upon thawing. Best prepared fresh or within 48 hours for optimal flavor.
What if my tahini dressing is too thick or too thin?
Add water 1 tbsp at a time to thin. If over-thinned, whisk in additional tahini by the teaspoon. Dressing thickens slightly when chilled; aim for pourable consistency straight from fridge.