Oh, seriously, if you’re anything like me, you’re always on the hunt for that *perfect* dressing that just elevates everything. And let me tell you, this Creamy Lemon Garlic Dressing Dairy Free is a total game-changer! Forget those gloppy, bland versions; this one is zippy, rich, and ridiculously easy to whip up. We created this on a whim when we needed something for a big salad AND a dip for veggies, and wow, did it deliver! It’s become my go-to for everything, and the best part? No dairy needed!

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Lemon Garlic Dressing Dairy Free

Trust me, you’re going to adore this dressing! Here’s why:

Super Creamy, Zero Dairy: Get that luscious, rich texture you crave, but totally dairy-free and plant-based!
Bright & Zesty Flavor: The lemon and garlic combo is just perfect – lively, fresh, and totally addictive.
Crazy Easy to Make: Seriously, blink and you’ll miss it. Just toss it all in a blender and go!
So Versatile: This isn’t just for salads; it’s amazing as a dip, a marinade, or drizzled over veggies.

Ingredients for Creamy Lemon Garlic Dressing Dairy Free

Alright, let’s get down to the good stuff! You really only need a handful of simple things for this dressing, and they all come together so fast. Here’s what you’ll want to grab:

1 cup raw cashews, soaked for at least 4 hours or even do it overnight. Don’t skip this step – it’s key for creaminess!

1/2 cup water, plus a little extra if you need to thin it out later. That’s how we get our lovely creamy texture without any dairy!

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice. You *have* to use fresh lemons here. The bottled stuff just doesn’t have that bright, lively flavor.

2 cloves garlic, minced. Mince them up nice and fine so they blend in smoothly.

2 tablespoons nutritional yeast. This is your secret weapon for that slightly cheesy, nutty depth of flavor. It’s totally vegan!

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard. Just a tablespoon adds a nice little tang and helps emulsify everything.

1 teaspoon salt, or you can add more if you like it a little saltier. Taste as you go!

1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground if you can. It just adds that perfect little kick.

How to Make Creamy Lemon Garlic Dressing Dairy Free: Step-by-Step

Okay, now for the fun part! Making this dressing is honestly one of the easiest things you’ll do in the kitchen, and it takes less than ten minutes if you’ve prepped your cashews. It feels a bit like magic, but I promise it’s super straightforward. We’ll go through it bit by bit, so you get that perfect creamy texture every single time. If you’re curious about how cashews can achieve this creaminess, it’s similar to how some recipes use them as a base for dairy-free heavy cream – they’re just amazing like that!

Soaking and Draining the Cashews

First things first, those cashews! Soaking them is non-negotiable; it’s what makes them blend into this super smooth, creamy base. You want to soak them for at least 4 hours, or better yet, pop them in water overnight in the fridge. If you totally forgot (I’ve been there!), you can do a quick soak: just cover them with boiling water and let them sit for about an hour. Make sure to drain them really well afterward and give them a quick rinse!

Blending for Ultimate Creaminess

Now grab your handy high-speed blender. Seriously, if you have one, use it! It makes all the difference. Dump in your well-drained cashews, the water, that lovely fresh lemon juice, your minced garlic, that cheesy-tasting nutritional yeast, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Now, blend on high speed! You’ll want to let it go for a good minute or two, scraping down the sides once or twice to make sure everything gets incorporated. Keep blending until it’s unbelievably smooth and creamy, like silk!

Adjusting Consistency and Seasoning

Once it’s all blended and looks gorgeous, give it a little taste. This is where you become the dressing boss! If it’s a bit too thick for your liking – and it will thicken up more in the fridge, by the way – just add a tablespoon of water at a time and blend again until it’s just perfect. I usually end up adding about two tablespoons total. Then, check the salt and pepper. Need a little more zing? Add a pinch more salt or a grind of pepper. You’re the chef here!

Tips for the Perfect Creamy Lemon Garlic Dressing Dairy Free

You know, sometimes even with a super simple recipe, a few little tricks can make all the difference. I’ve found over the years that paying attention to a few key things really helps this Creamy Lemon Garlic Dressing Dairy Free turn out absolutely fantastic every single time. It’s not about being fussy, just about giving it a little extra love!

First off, the garlic – I really prefer fresh garlic cloves for this. Mince them up super fine; you don’t want any big chunks floating around since this is a blended dressing. And while we’re talking ingredients, really good quality cashews make a difference for that smooth, rich texture. If you’re ever in doubt about things blending smoothly, think about how important that step is for things like homemade guacamole!

Another thing? Your blender really matters here. A high-speed blender will give you that ultra-creamy, practically silken texture. If you’re using a standard blender, just be patient! You might need to blend for a bit longer and definitely scrape down the sides a few times to make sure everything gets fully incorporated and super smooth. Don’t give up if it doesn’t look perfect right away.

And remember, this dressing is going to thicken up in the fridge. So, if you make it and it seems a *little* too thin right after blending, don’t panic! Just pop it in the fridge, and it’ll firm up beautifully.

Serving Suggestions for Your Dairy-Free Dressing

Okay, so you’ve made this amazing Creamy Lemon Garlic Dressing Dairy Free, and now you’re probably wondering, “What can I do with it besides just, like, plain salad?” Oh, honey, the possibilities are ENDLESS! This dressing is so versatile, it’s practically a superhero in a jar.

Beyond a simple green salad, try drizzling it over roasted veggies – especially ones like carrots or broccoli. It also makes a fantastic dip for crudités or even some crispy sweet potato fries. I’ve even used it as a lighter sauce for some fish or chicken, or spooned over grilled chicken or tofu. Seriously, anywhere you want a bright, creamy, garlicky kick, this is your sauce!

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Alright, so you’ve made a beautiful batch of this dressing, and you want it to last, right? Totally understandable! Just pop it into a good old airtight container and keep it in the fridge. It stays wonderfully fresh and creamy for up to 5 days. Now, a little heads-up: because it’s cashew-based and dairy-free, it will thicken up quite a bit as it chills, almost like magic! If it gets too thick for your liking when you want to use it, no worries at all. Just stir in a splash of cold water, a tablespoon at a time, until it’s back to that perfect drizzly consistency you love. Easy peasy!

Frequently Asked Questions about Creamy Lemon Garlic Dressing Dairy Free

Got questions about this fabulous Creamy Lemon Garlic Dressing Dairy Free? I’ve got answers!

Can I use a different nut instead of cashews?

You sure can try! Macadamia nuts or blanched slivered almonds could work, but they might change the flavor and won’t be quite as creamy as cashews. Just make sure to soak them really well and blend them like crazy!

How long does this dairy-free dressing last?

This delicious dressing stays great in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. It does thicken as it chills, so a little splash of water before serving is your secret weapon!

Can I make this dressing without a high-speed blender?

You absolutely can use a regular blender! Just be prepared to blend for a bit longer. Scrape down those sides often and keep going until it’s as smooth as you can get it. It might not be *quite* as silky, but it’ll still be super yummy!

Nutritional Information

Just a little heads-up, the nutrition facts for this dressing are definitely estimates, like most homemade recipes! They can shift a bit depending on the exact brands of ingredients you use and how much water you add for thinning. But generally, a 2-tablespoon serving of this deliciousness packs about 80 calories, 6g of fat, 3g of protein, and around 5g of carbs. Pretty great for something so creamy and flavorful, right?

Creamy Dairy-Free Lemon Garlic Dressing

Author: memorecipes.com
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 1.5 cups 1x
Diet: Vegan

Print Recipe

Description

A zesty and creamy dressing perfect for salads, dips, or marinades. This dairy-free recipe uses simple ingredients for a bright flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup raw cashews, soaked for at least 4 hours or overnight
1/2 cup water, plus more as needed
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste

Instructions

Drain the soaked cashews and rinse them thoroughly.
Place the drained cashews in a high-speed blender.
Add the water, lemon juice, minced garlic, nutritional yeast, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to the blender.
Blend on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. You may need to scrape down the sides of the blender a few times.
If the dressing is too thick, add more water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
Transfer the dressing to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.

Notes

For a quicker soak, cover cashews with boiling water and let them sit for 1 hour.
This dressing will thicken as it chills. Add a splash of water before serving if needed.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Dressing
Method: Blending
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
Calories: 80
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 5g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: dairy-free dressing, vegan dressing, lemon garlic dressing, creamy dressing, cashew dressing, salad dressing, healthy dressing