If you love the tangy, creamy richness of traditional blue cheese dressing but follow a vegan lifestyle, you’re in for a treat! This vegan blue cheese dressing recipe offers all the bold flavors and luscious texture you crave without any dairy or animal products.
Made with simple, wholesome ingredients like soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, and a hint of apple cider vinegar, this dressing is perfect for salads, dipping veggies, or drizzling over your favorite plant-based dishes.
Whether you’re catering for vegans or simply exploring new flavors, this dressing is incredibly easy to whip up in under 10 minutes. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy that classic blue cheese tang while keeping things clean, healthy, and cruelty-free.
Plus, it stores beautifully in the fridge, so you’ll always have a delicious dressing on hand for quick meals and snacks. Ready to dive into the creamy, tangy goodness?
Let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This vegan blue cheese dressing is a game-changer for several reasons. First, it captures the iconic sharpness and creaminess of blue cheese dressing without using any dairy, making it suitable for vegans and those with lactose intolerance alike.
Second, it’s made with whole food ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry, like cashews and apple cider vinegar. No preservatives, no artificial flavors—just fresh, nourishing components.
Third, the texture is perfectly creamy and spreadable, ideal for salads, sandwiches, or even as a dip for crispy veggies and fries. Finally, it’s super versatile.
You can adjust the tanginess and saltiness to your liking or experiment with herbs to create your own signature flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews (soaked for at least 4 hours or boiled for 10 minutes)
- 1/4 cup water (add more if needed for desired consistency)
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon miso paste (white or yellow for umami depth)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup crumbled vegan blue cheese (store-bought or homemade, optional for extra authenticity)
Equipment
- High-speed blender or food processor
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowl
- Spatula
- Fine mesh strainer (optional, for extra smooth dressing)
- Air-tight container for storage
Instructions
- Prepare the cashews: Soak your raw cashews in water for at least 4 hours or boil them for 10 minutes to soften. This step is crucial for achieving a creamy, smooth dressing.
- Drain and rinse: Once soaked or boiled, drain the cashews and rinse them under cold water.
- Blend the base: Add the cashews, water, nutritional yeast, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, miso paste, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to your blender or food processor.
- Pulse and blend: Blend on high until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides a few times to ensure even blending.
- Add olive oil: Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while the blender is running to emulsify and give the dressing a silky texture.
- Incorporate vegan blue cheese: If you have vegan blue cheese crumbles, fold them gently into the dressing using a spatula. This will add texture and authentic flavor.
- Taste and adjust: Give your dressing a taste and adjust salt, vinegar, or lemon juice as needed. If the dressing is too thick, add a splash of water to thin it out to your desired consistency.
- Chill: Transfer the dressing to an air-tight container and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Tips & Variations
For an extra tangy kick, add a teaspoon of vegan Worcestershire sauce or a dash of liquid smoke.
If you want to make this dressing nut-free, try substituting the cashews with soaked sunflower seeds. The taste will be slightly different but still creamy and delicious.
For a more intense blue cheese flavor, you can increase the amount of vegan blue cheese crumbles or add a few drops of blue cheese-flavored vegan sauce if you can find it.
To make this dressing even more versatile, mix in fresh herbs like dill, chives, or parsley. These additions brighten the flavor and complement salads wonderfully.
Store your dressing in the fridge for up to one week. Always give it a good stir before using if it has separated slightly.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrient | Amount per 2 tbsp |
---|---|
Calories | 90 kcal |
Fat | 7 g |
Saturated Fat | 1 g |
Carbohydrates | 4 g |
Fiber | 1 g |
Protein | 2 g |
Sodium | 180 mg |
Serving Suggestions
This vegan blue cheese dressing is incredibly versatile. Drizzle it over crisp romaine or kale salads for a satisfying tangy twist.
It pairs wonderfully with hearty grain bowls featuring quinoa, roasted vegetables, and chickpeas.
Use it as a dip for fresh vegetable sticks like celery, carrot, and bell peppers at your next gathering. It’s also fantastic as a spread on vegan sandwiches or wraps, adding a creamy, flavorful layer to your meal.
If you’re into party food, try it as a dip for crispy fries or roasted potatoes. It’s a crowd-pleaser that will have everyone guessing it’s the original dairy version!
Looking for more vegan recipes to complement this dressing? Check out our Vegetarian Date Cake Recipe: Moist, Easy, and Delicious for a delightful dessert, or try the Vegan Bechamel Sauce Recipe for Creamy Pasta Dishes to create a full meal.
For bread lovers, the Vegan Bread Machine Recipe for Soft, Delicious Loaves pairs perfectly with salads dressed in this blue cheese dressing.
Conclusion
This vegan blue cheese dressing is a delicious and nutritious alternative to traditional dressings, perfect for anyone looking to enjoy rich, tangy flavors without dairy. Its creamy texture and bold taste make it a standout addition to salads, dips, and sandwiches.
Best of all, it’s easy to prepare with pantry staples and keeps well in the fridge, making it a convenient option for busy home cooks.
Whether you’re vegan, lactose intolerant, or just love experimenting with plant-based foods, this recipe is sure to impress. Its versatility and depth of flavor allow you to customize and enjoy it in many ways.
Next time you want a flavorful dressing that’s both healthy and indulgent, give this vegan blue cheese dressing a try—you won’t be disappointed!
📖 Recipe Card: Vegan Blue Cheese Dressing
Description: A creamy and tangy vegan blue cheese dressing made with cashews and nutritional yeast. Perfect for salads, dipping, or drizzling over your favorite dishes.
Prep Time: PT10M
Cook Time: PT0M
Total Time: PT10M
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews, soaked for 2 hours
- 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 tablespoon miso paste
Instructions
- Drain and rinse soaked cashews.
- Combine cashews, almond milk, apple cider vinegar, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and miso paste in a blender.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Stir in chopped walnuts for texture.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Nutrition: Calories: 120 | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Carbs: 5g
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