Vegan Southwest Dressing
Creamy, zesty, and completely dairy-free, this Vegan Southwest Dressing is the perfect addition to your plant-based kitchen! Made with a base of soaked raw cashews, this luscious dressing gets its bold flavor from a blend of smoky spices like smoked paprika, chili powder, and cumin, balanced with the tangy brightness of lime juice and apple cider vinegar. A hint of maple syrup adds subtle sweetness, while optional hot sauce brings an extra kick of heat. Perfect as a salad dressing, dip, or sauce for tacos and grain bowls, this versatile recipe is quick and easy, taking only 10 minutes to prepare. Plus, it’s entirely customizable, allowing you to adjust the flavors and consistency to suit your taste. With its velvety texture and Southwest-inspired flavor, this vegan dressing will elevate any dish while staying completely gluten-free and plant-based.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 0.75 cups Raw cashews
- 0.5 cups Water
- 2 tablespoons Lime juice
- 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon Chili powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Unsweetened non-dairy milk (e.g., almond, soy, or oat milk)
- 0.5 teaspoons Hot sauce (optional, for added heat)
Instructions
If not using a high-powered blender, soak the raw cashews in hot water for 10-15 minutes. Drain and rinse before proceeding. This will ensure a smoother texture.
Add the soaked cashews, water, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and non-dairy milk to a blender.
Blend on high until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. Stop occasionally to scrape down the sides of the blender with a spatula to ensure all ingredients are fully incorporated.
Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more lime juice for tang, a pinch of salt for flavor, or hot sauce for heat.
If the dressing is too thick, add 1 tablespoon of water at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
Transfer the dressing to a jar or airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Serve as a dressing for salads, a sauce for grain bowls and tacos, or a dip for veggies. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
550 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 38.1 g | 49% | |
| Saturated Fat | 6.7 g | 34% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1302 mg | 57% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 45.3 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.3 g | 19% | |
| Total Sugars | 11.0 g | ||
| Protein | 17.5 g | 35% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 128 mg | 10% | |
| Iron | 8.4 mg | 47% | |
| Potassium | 814 mg | 17% | |
*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.
