Vegan Dressing Recipes for Every Salad and Taste

If you love salads, grain bowls, and roasted veggies, you know a good dressing can make all the difference. But finding a truly delicious vegan dressing—one that’s creamy, flavorful, and easy to whip up at home—can be a challenge.

The good news? Making your own vegan dressing is surprisingly simple and opens up a world of options beyond store-bought bottles.

Whether you’re craving something tangy, creamy, herby, or spicy, you can create a homemade vegan dressing that rivals anything you’ll find at the grocery store.

In this blog post, I’m sharing my favorite vegan dressing recipes that work beautifully on salads, grain bowls, wraps, and more. Each recipe is easy, quick, and packed with plant-based flavor.

You’ll also find tips for customizing your dressings and ways to serve them for every meal of the week. Ready to get inspired?

Let’s dive in!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Diverse Flavors: From creamy tahini to tangy vinaigrettes, these dressings satisfy every craving.
• Whole Food Ingredients: Each recipe uses simple plant-based staples you probably already have in your kitchen.
• Quick and Easy: Most dressings come together in 5 minutes or less—just blend, shake, or whisk!
• Customizable: Adjust herbs, spices, and sweetness to perfectly match your taste buds or meal plan.
• Healthy and Nourishing: These dressings are naturally dairy-free, egg-free, and full of wholesome nutrients.
• No Special Equipment Required: All you need is a blender or a jar and a whisk.

Ingredients

Creamy Vegan Tahini Dressing

• 1/3 cup tahini
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 small clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 3–5 tablespoons water (to thin as desired)

Classic Vegan Balsamic Vinaigrette

• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup or agave
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Vegan Green Goddess Dressing

• 1/2 cup raw cashews (soaked in hot water for 20 min, then drained)
• 1/3 cup water
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Spicy Vegan Peanut Dressing

• 1/4 cup natural peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce (to taste)
• 2–4 tablespoons water (to thin)
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger

Equipment

• Blender (for creamy dressings like Green Goddess or cashew-based dressings)
• Whisk (perfect for vinaigrettes and tahini dressings)
• Mason jar or lidded container (for shaking and storing dressings)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Small mixing bowl
• Garlic press or microplane grater (optional, for fresh garlic or ginger)

Instructions

Creamy Vegan Tahini Dressing

1. In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, garlic powder, and sea salt.
2. Add water one tablespoon at a time, whisking until the dressing is smooth and reaches your desired consistency.
3. Taste and adjust seasoning—add more lemon juice for tang, maple syrup for sweetness, or salt to taste.
4. Transfer to a jar and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Classic Vegan Balsamic Vinaigrette

1. In a mason jar or bowl, combine balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, minced garlic, sea salt, and black pepper.
2. Add olive oil and shake vigorously (if using a jar) or whisk until fully emulsified.
3. Taste and adjust with more sweetener or vinegar as desired.
4. Use immediately or store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Shake before each use.

Vegan Green Goddess Dressing

1. Soak raw cashews in hot water for 20 minutes, then drain and rinse.
2. In a blender, combine cashews, water, lemon juice, olive oil, parsley, chives, dill, garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. Blend until creamy and smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
4. If dressing is too thick, add a splash of water to thin.
5. Store in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Spicy Vegan Peanut Dressing

1. In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, maple syrup, lime juice, sriracha, and ginger.
2. Add water one tablespoon at a time to achieve a pourable consistency.
3. Taste and adjust for spice, sweetness, or saltiness.
4. Refrigerate in a jar for up to 1 week. Stir before using.

Tips & Variations

• Make it oil-free: Substitute extra water, aquafaba, or unsweetened non-dairy milk for oil in vinaigrettes.
• Change up the herbs: Swap parsley, dill, or chives with basil, cilantro, or tarragon in the Green Goddess recipe.
• Nut-free options: Use sunflower seed butter or silken tofu in place of cashews or peanut butter for creamy dressings.
• Extra protein: Add 1–2 tablespoons of hemp seeds or white beans to creamy dressings before blending.
• Flavor boosts: Stir in a splash of hot sauce, a teaspoon of miso, or a pinch of smoked paprika for extra depth.

“Always taste your dressing before serving, and remember that flavors intensify after chilling!”

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition facts are estimates and will vary based on ingredient brands and portion size.

Serving Suggestions

• Salads: Drizzle over leafy greens, grain salads, or chopped veggie bowls.
• Grain Bowls: Pour over quinoa, brown rice, or bulgur with roasted veggies and beans.
• Wraps & Sandwiches: Use as a flavorful spread inside tortillas, pitas, or sandwiches.
• Roasted Veggies: Toss warm roasted carrots, broccoli, or cauliflower with your favorite vegan dressing.
• Dipping Sauce: Serve spicy peanut or tahini dressing as a dip for spring rolls or raw veggies.

Pair your dressings with homemade bread from our Vegan Bread Machine Recipe for Soft, Delicious Loaves or alongside a hearty bowl from these Veg Recipes for Slow Cooker: Easy, Tasty Meal Ideas.

More Vegan Dressing Recipes to Try

Ready to expand your plant-based repertoire? Here are a few more creative vegan dressing recipes to keep your salads and meals exciting all week long:

Zesty Vegan Ranch Dressing

• 1/2 cup unsweetened non-dairy yogurt or vegan mayo
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
• 1 tablespoon chopped chives
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 2–3 tablespoons water (to thin)

1. Whisk all ingredients in a bowl until smooth and creamy. Add water to reach desired consistency.
2. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld.

Vegan Caesar Dressing

• 1/4 cup raw cashews (soaked)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon capers (with brine)
• 1 clove garlic
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 1/4 cup water (plus more as needed)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Salt to taste

1. Blend all ingredients until creamy and smooth, adding more water if needed.
2. Taste and adjust for salt and acidity. Serve with crisp romaine and croutons.

Lemon-Herb Vinaigrette

• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1. Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl or shake in a jar until emulsified.
2. Refrigerate and shake well before using.

Maple-Mustard Dressing

• 3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Pinch of salt and pepper

1. Whisk all ingredients together until smooth. Adjust sweetness or tang to taste.

Avocado-Cilantro Lime Dressing

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1/4 cup water (plus more to thin)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1. Blend all ingredients until creamy, adding water as needed for a pourable consistency.
2. Use immediately or store for up to 2 days in the fridge.

For even more plant-based inspiration, explore our Vegetarian Swiss Chard Recipes for Healthy Meals or try a creamy sauce like our Vegan Bechamel Sauce Recipe for Creamy Pasta Dishes to drizzle over your favorite dishes.

Conclusion

Homemade vegan dressings are a game-changer for anyone looking to add flavor, nutrition, and excitement to their meals. With just a handful of pantry staples and a few minutes, you can whip up a dressing that’s fresher, tastier, and healthier than anything bottled.

Whether you crave creamy, tangy, herby, or spicy, these vegan dressing recipes offer endless possibilities for salads, bowls, wraps, and beyond.

Experiment with ingredients, try new herbs and spices, and don’t be afraid to get creative. Your meals will thank you!

If you loved these recipes, be sure to check out our other vegan favorites and let us know your own dressing twists in the comments. Happy mixing and drizzling!

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Creamy Vegan Caesar Dressing”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “This creamy vegan Caesar dressing is tangy, garlicky, and perfect for salads or as a dip. Made with cashews and simple pantry staples, it comes together in minutes.”, “prepTime”: “PT10M”, “cookTime”: “PT0M”, “totalTime”: “PT10M”, “recipeYield”: “1 cup (about 8 servings)”, “recipeIngredient”: [“1/2 cup raw cashews (soaked for 2 hours, drained)”, “1/4 cup water”, “2 tablespoons olive oil”, “2 tablespoons lemon juice”, “1 tablespoon Dijon mustard”, “1 tablespoon nutritional yeast”, “2 teaspoons capers”, “1 clove garlic”, “1/2 teaspoon salt”, “1/4 teaspoon black pepper”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add all ingredients to a blender.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Blend until completely smooth and creamy.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Transfer to a jar and refrigerate until ready to use.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “70”, “proteinContent”: “2g”, “fatContent”: “6g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “4g”}}