7 Creamy Salad Dressings – With Dairy Free and Oil Free Options
Let’s talk creamy salad dressings. I love a good vinaigrette, but sometimes I want something smooth and creamy. If you feel the same way, here are seven of my favourite creamy dressing recipes with ideas for using them. Oh and be prepared, not all of the uses are for salads!
A Great Salad Starts with a Great Dressing
It’s true – the dressing makes the salad, so choose a dressing that will make the most of your salad ingredients. Here are seven creamy salad dressings that offers a nice variety of flavours and ingredients. No matter if your looking for oil free, dairy free or vegan options, there’s something here for you.
7 Creamy Salad Dressings
Creamy Labneh Salad Dressing
Labneh is a thick, spreadable yogurt cheese. It’s similar to the consistency of cream cheese with a more complex and tangy flavour. It also offers the benefits of probiotics, protein and calcium – pretty great for a salad dressing!
Use this dressing for:
- dip for veggies or pita wedges
- topping for roasted veggies and meat
- spread for wraps, bagels, pita and crackers
- dressing for hardy salads made with dark leafy greens, romaine, pea shoots, arugula, veggies, etc.
Creamy Labneh Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup Labneh
- 2 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 Tbsp water (as needed)
- 1/2 tsp cumin powder*
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- In small bowl, whisk all ingredients, except water, together until smooth.
- Whisk in 1/2 Tbsp of water or more as needed to reach desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Enjoy on your favourite salad or veggies. Store in fridge for 4-5 days.
Notes
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Spicy Nut Butter Dressing
I love this flavourful, unique dressing. Because we have a peanut allergy in our house, we use this almond nut butter dressing as an alternative for any peanut butter type sauces or dressings.
Use this dressing for:
- dip for Veggie Summer Rolls, chicken satays, bbq pork
- sauce for Thai noodles or tofu dishes
- spread for wraps
- dressing for Asian or Thai inspired salads or grain bowls
Spicy Nut Butter Dressing
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp almond butter (or alternative)
- 1 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 Tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1-2 tsp red curry paste (as spicy as you like)
- 3-4 Tbsp water
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except water in a small bowl and whisk until well combined.
- Add as much water as needed to create your preferred consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
- Store in fridge for 5-7 days.
Notes
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Caesar Salad Dressing
You have to have a great Caesar Salad Dressing in your repertoire and this one is it!
Use this dressing for:
- condiment for roasted root vegetables or fries
- alternative to mayo in potato, tuna, chicken or pasta salad
- spread for burgers or sandwiches – think Club house sandwich with Caesar Dressing instead of mayo
- dressing for Caesar salad, chickpea Caesar salad or chicken Caesar Salad
Caesar Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup mayonnaise*
- 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- 1-2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ tsp fish sauce optional
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large jar, combine all ingredients.
- Stir or shake well.
- Store in fridge for 5-7 days.
- Makes 3/4 cup of dressing, enough for dressing one large head of romaine
Notes
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Avocado Dressing with Lime & Cilantro – Vegan
My version of a green goddess dressing. This avocado dressing is creamy, slightly tangy and oh so flavourful thanks to those Southwestern spices.
Use this dressing for:
- topping for fajitas, nachos, quesadillas, tacos
- dip for tortilla chip or baked nachos
- spread for wraps
- dressing for Southwestern style salads or grain bowls – even if the bowl is a sweet potato!
Avocado Dressing with Lime and Cilantro – Vegan
Equipment
- immersion blender
Ingredients
- 1 avocado
- 1/2 cup cilantro leaves & stems
- 1 Tbsp canola oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 Tbsp lime juice
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 1 to 3 Tbsp water as desired
Instructions
- Place all ingredients except water in blender or blending jar that comes with immersion blender.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Add 1 tablespoon of water, blend and repeat as needed adding more water to reach desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning – more spice? more salt? or just right?
Notes
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Cashew Ranch Dressing – Vegan
Here’s another great dressing that works for so much more than salads. Not only do I make this when I have vegan friends over, but because it’s oil and dairy free, I can dehydrate this dressing for my backcountry adventures. A nutritious, delicious way to get a little extra protein on the trail. It rehydrates beautifully for spreading on bagels, crackers or wraps.
Use this dressing for:
- toppings for tofu or tempeh dishes like the buffalo tempeh wrap (recipe coming soon)
- alternative to mayo in potato, tuna, chicken or pasta salad
- a great dip for veggies and a spread on bagels, wraps or pitas
- dressing for any salad where you’d like a nice creamy vegan dressing – it’s super versatile
Cashew Ranch Dressing (Vegan)
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews (soaked 1 hr)
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp fresh chopped parsley
- 1 tsp fresh chopped chives
- 1 tsp fresh chopped fresh dill
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Use food processor or high powered blender. Add up to 1⁄2 cup water for desired consistency. Store for up to a week in the fridge.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
BBQ Sauce Dressing
Need something a little something sweet and tangy? This dressing takes on the flavour of your favourite BBQ sauce – smoky, sweet or spicy. We created this dressing in search of a copy cat for the topping used on Freshii’s Pangoa bowl – my daughter’s favourite. It’s also perfect for the Grilled Pineapple Power Bowl.
Use this dressing for:
- toppings for tofu or tempeh dishes like the buffalo tempeh wrap (recipe coming soon)
- alternative to mayo in potato, tuna, chicken or pasta salad
- a great dip for veggies and a spread on bagels, wraps or pitas
- dressing for any salad where you’d like a nice creamy vegan dressing – it’s super versatile
BBQ Sauce Dressing
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- 1 Tbsp lime juice
Instructions
- Shake or whisk together all ingredients.
- Serve and enjoy.
- Store in fridge for 5-6 days.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
This buttermilk ranch dressing is my all time favourite dressing for fresh delicate greens and herbs first thing in spring. This is a light, refreshing creamy dressing that won’t weigh down tender new greens but is bursting with flavour thanks to fresh herbs. It’s a little more liquidy than the labneh or cashew dressings or than regular ranch dressing.
Use this dressing for:
- topping baked potatoes, perogies or boiled baby new potatoes
- alternative to sour cream in potato, tuna, chicken or pasta salad
- dressing for green leafy salads where you’d like a nice light, creamy dressing
- dressing for hardy salads made with dark leafy greens, romaine, pea shoots, arugula, veggies, etc.
Buttermilk Ranch
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice/vinegar/pickle juice
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1-2 Tbsp chopped fresh herbs (dill, parsley, chives)* use all three if possible
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Shake vigorously or stir until smooth.
- Store in the fridge for up to a week.
Notes
- put 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice in measuring cup then add milk to make 1/2 cup
- mix 1/4 milk and 1/4 cup yogurt or sour cream
- instead of fresh herbs use 1/4 cup dried of each dill, parsley, chives
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
How Long Can I Keep Creamy Salad Dressings?
It’s best to use these dressings within 5-7 days.
To keep your salad as fresh as possible, dress just before serving or better yet, serve the dressing on the side. This way, each person can add their desired amount and any leftover salad can be kept for another day.
Which will you try first?! Let me know if you have a favourite and tell me how many ways you can think of to use creamy salad dressings for things other than salad. Leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram at #getgettys or Facebook @GettyStewart.HomeEconomist.
Sign up to get articles by Getty delivered to your inbox. You’ll get recipes, practical tips and great food information like this. Getty is a Professional Home Economist, speaker and writer putting good food on tables and agendas. She is the author of Manitoba’s best-selling Prairie Fruit Cookbook, Founder of Fruit Share, a mom and veggie gardener.