Dairy-Free Southwest Dressing
Transform your salads, grain bowls, and tacos with this creamy and flavorful Dairy-Free Southwest Dressing! Made with a base of soaked cashews and unsweetened almond milk, this plant-based recipe is packed with bold southwestern spices like chipotle chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. A touch of lime juice and fresh cilantro adds a zesty burst of freshness, while the optional maple syrup provides a subtle hint of sweetness. Completely free of dairy, this versatile dressing comes together in just 10 minutes and can easily be adjusted to your preferred consistency. Perfect for vegan, gluten-free, and health-conscious eaters, it’s a delicious way to elevate your meals with minimal effort!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup Unsweetened almond milk (or other dairy-free milk)
- 1 cup Raw cashews (soaked for 2-4 hours and drained)
- 2 tablespoons Fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 0.25 cup Cilantro (packed)
- 1 teaspoon Chipotle chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Cumin powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Maple syrup (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
- 2 tablespoons Water (as needed for consistency)
Instructions
If not already done, soak the raw cashews in water for 2-4 hours or boil them for 15 minutes to soften them. Drain and set aside.
Add the drained cashews, unsweetened almond milk, fresh lime juice, olive oil, and cilantro into a high-speed blender or food processor.
Add all the dry spices: chipotle chili powder, cumin powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
If you prefer a slightly sweet dressing, add the optional maple syrup to the blender.
Blend the mixture on high speed until smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides of the blender as needed.
If the dressing is too thick, add water one tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more salt, lime juice, or chipotle chili powder for additional flavor.
Transfer the dressing to a jar or airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld together. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1132 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 93.6 g | 120% | |
| Saturated Fat | 15.5 g | 78% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1519 mg | 66% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 58.3 g | 21% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.6 g | 31% | |
| Total Sugars | 12.5 g | ||
| Protein | 29.6 g | 59% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.5 mcg | 12% | |
| Calcium | 579 mg | 45% | |
| Iron | 13.7 mg | 76% | |
| Potassium | 1432 mg | 30% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
