This dairy-free ranch dressing is made with coconut yogurt and an easy dried herb mix. The seasoning tastes just like classic Hidden Valley but is egg-free and lactose-free. If you’re looking for a gluten-free ranch dip, it’s perfect for any party bowl, especially alongside gluten-free chicken wings!
Since ranch dressing is a cousin of mayonnaise, you could probably guess my official stance: there are very few things that it does not make better. French fries. Pizza. Carrot sticks, if you’re airing on the side of health not hedonism. Salad, believe it or not, is low on the list of my potential vehicles for this dressing. But of course, a little goes a long way on a head of iceberg.
Now that I’ve been gluten-free for over a decade and try not to eat a ton of dairy, I’ve taken to making my own lactose-free ranch dressing at home using coconut yogurt. Depending on the brand, the actual coconut flavor melts away behind the dried herb mix—a combination of chives, dill, garlic and onion powder. This dip can double as a low FODMAP dressing too by omitting the alliums.
How to make the seasoning herb mix
You can easily make this gluten-free ranch dressing with fresh herbs: simply puree the white stuff with fresh dill, chives or parsley. The dressing will turn a little green compared to the dried options, but still be delicious. It will be closer to a green goddess dressing this way.
Truth be told, I don’t usually stock many dried herbs in my drawer, but they are very convenient when it comes to whipping up a last minute ranch dip for a party. You can store the seasoning blend together in a jar for later (scaled up to make many batches), or just measure it to order.
Making dairy-free ranch dressing
My condiment of choice for this ranch dressing is coconut yogurt, but you can use any plain lactose-free yogurt. Another trick that I use in my book The Wellness Project is having lactose-free kefir, which is roughly the same consistency as ranch dressing, be the base. For that option, you don’t need to use any water to thin it.
For more of the tang of mayonnaise, you can swap in ½ cup of mayo for some of the yogurt. But believe it or not, I prefer the texture without it! For a vegan version, you can always use vegan mayonnaise. Coconut yogurt is already plant-based.
How to make gluten-free ranch dressing
Hidden valley, without all the hidden additives
When you’re looking at the classic store bought bottled ranch dressing options like Hidden Valley, they often have stabilizers listed on the ingredient list that aren’t necessarily gluten-free.
As I talk about in this post about the best gluten-free sauces and condiments, it’s helpful sometimes to get a short cut from the store. But when it comes to dressing, as you’ll see in this gluten-free ranch, it’s usually fairly easy to make your own at home, especially since this one uses only pantry items.
More gluten & dairy-free favorites:
Read on for this gluten-free dairy-free ranch dressing recipe and serve it alongside whatever is your favorite dipper of choice (no judgement on pizza).
With health and hedonism,
Phoebe
Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing
Ingredients
For the gluten-free ranch seasoning mix:
- 1 tablespoon dried chives
- 2 teaspoons dried dill
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
For the dairy-free dressing:
- 1 cup coconut yogurt or other lactose-free option
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the gluten-free seasoning mix: chives, dill, garlic and onion powder, and salt until well-combined. You have the option to store the blend for later!
- To make the dressing, add the lactose-free yogurt, vinegar and 2 tablespoons of water to the bowl and mix until fully blended. Add more water, one tablespoon at a time, if needed, to reach your desired consistency. Taste for seasoning and add more salt as necessary.
- Store the dairy-free dressing for up to 2 weeks in a glass jar in the refrigerator or use it immediately as a gluten-free ranch dip alongside crudites.
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