• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Daniel's Plate
  • Healthy Summer
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Daniel Fast Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Healthy Summer
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Daniel Fast Recipes



subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Healthy Summer
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Daniel Fast Recipes



×
Home » Recipe Index » Sauces

Vegan Creamy Italian Dressing (OIL-FREE)

Modified: May 5, 2025 · Published: Apr 10, 2022 by Gigi & Sersie · This post may contain affiliate links.

Share it!

Jump to Recipe

This oil-free Vegan Creamy Italian Dressing is so dang yummy that you'll be convinced to ditch the store-bought stuff for good. This healthy, dairy-free Italian dressing goes beautifully on salads and bowls and is used as a dipping sauce for pizza.

side view of creamy italian dressing in a mason jar with the lid blurred in the background

This recipe is a modified version of the Vegan 8's Creamy Italian Dressing. This recipe uses apple cider vinegar, Simple Homemade Date Syrup, and coconut aminos.

What this creamy Italian dressing is made of

  1. Raw cashews, soaked
  2. Lemon juice
  3. Apple cider vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
  4. Garlic powder
  5. Paprika
  6. Mustard powder
  7. Simple Homemade Date Syrup
  8. Coconut aminos
  9. Italian seasoning
  10. Black pepper
top view of ingredients for vegan italian dressing: cahsews, lemon, apple cider vinegar, date syrup, coconut aminos, parika, garlic powder, mustard powder, italian seasoning, black pepper
ingredients: cashews, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, date syrup, garlic powder, paprika, mustard powder, coconut aminos, Italian seasoning, black pepper

Our preferred equipment is a mini-blender because it's easier to make a smaller portion size than in a standard blender, and it's also easier to clean up afterward. Since most of our readers are trying to lose weight the calories in nut- and seed-based dressings are calorically dense, so portion-controlling these foods can help with weight loss goals.

If you're making a big batch for a large group, just double or triple the recipe and use a standard blender.

How to make this vegan Italian dressing

  1. Soak raw cashews in water overnight, or for 8 or more hours. (Note: If you don't have soaked raw cashews, follow the Pro Tip below.)
  2. Put soaked and softened cashews, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, water, coconut aminos, date syrup, garlic powder, paprika, and mustard powder (everything except for the Italian seasoning and black pepper) into a mini blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.
  3. Finally, pour dressing into a mason jar or salad dressing jar. Add Italian seasoning and black pepper. Shake or stir well to combine.
  4. You can enjoy this dressing immediately, but it will thicken if you chill it in the refrigerator for at least two hours.

Store this vegan Italian dressing in an airtight container (e.g., mason jar or salad dressing jar) in the refrigerator for up to five days. This dress is not freezer-friendly.

side view of vegan creamy italian dressing in a mason jar with a spoon being dipped, and jar lid blurred in the background

Pro Tip if you don't have soaked cashews and date syrup

If you don't have soaked cashews and Homemade Date Syrup on hand, simply combine both the raw cashews and ¼ to ½ of a pitted date into a small pot with 2 cups of water. Bring to a gentle boil for 4 minutes. Drain and rinse with cool water.

SAVE THIS RECIPE!

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

We'll also send you other yummy recipes. No worries! You can unsubscribe at any time. 💙

top view of vegan italian dressing in a mason jar with lid blurred in the background.

We hope you love this oil-free vegan Italian dressing recipe. Please rate and leave a comment below. Be sure to share a picture on Instagram and tag us @danielfastrecipes so we can see your creation!

side view of vegan italian dressing in a mason jar with a spoon being dipped, and lid blurred in the background

Vegan Creamy Italian Dressing (OIL-FREE)

5 from 1 vote
Course: Sauces
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 4 minutes minutes
Total Time: 14 minutes minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 68kcal
Author: Gigi & Sersie
Print Pin Rate
This oil-free Vegan Creamy Italian Dressing is so dang yummy that you'll be convinced to ditch the store-bought stuff for good. This healthy, dairy-free Italian dressing goes beautifully on salads and bowls and is used as a dipping sauce for pizza. 

Equipment

  • 1 mini bullet blender

Ingredients  

  • ⅓ cup raw cashews
  • ⅓ cup water
  • 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Simple Homemade Date Syrup
  • ½ tsp coconut aminos
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder
  • ⅛ tsp dry mustard powder
  • ⅛ tsp paprika
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ⅛ tsp black pepper
  • salt to taste optional
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

  • Soak raw cashews in water overnight, or for 8 or more hours. *See the Pro Tip below if you don't have soaked cashews.
  • Put soaked and softened cashews, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, water, coconut aminos, *homemade date syrup, garlic powder, paprika, and mustard powder (everything except for the Italian seasoning and black pepper) into a mini bullet blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.
  • Finally, pour dressing into a mason jar or salad dressing jar. Add Italian seasoning and black pepper. Shake or stir well to combine.
  • You can enjoy this dressing immediately, but it will thicken if you chill it in the refrigerator for at least two hours.

Notes

  1. Pro Tip: If you don't have soaked cashews and Homemade Date Syrup on hand, simply combine both the raw cashews and ¼ to ½ of a pitted date into a small pot with 2 cups of water. Bring to a gentle boil for 4 minutes. Drain and rinse with cool water. Then add them to the blender with other ingredients.
  2. Leftovers/Meal Prep: Store this vegan Italian dressing in an airtight container (e.g., mason jar or salad dressing jar) in the refrigerator for up to five days. This dress is not freezer-friendly.

Nutrition

Calories: 68kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 90mg | Potassium: 101mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 48IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg
Did You Make This Recipe?Share a photo and tag us @danielsplaterecipes — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Join the Meal Prep Cooking Class Membership!

Let’s face it, staying consistent with your health goals starts in the kitchen. This meal prep cooking class will help you develop a routine of eating healthy foods so you can be successful long-term. You don’t have to be an expert chef or even love to cook; you just need the desire to eat healthy. It’s that simple!

Check it out!

Reset, Reconnect, and Realign

Packed with daily devotionals, nutritional tips, journal prompts, and inspirational quotes, A Prayer for Your Health Journal will help you create a God-centered vision for your health. This journal provides practical tools and spiritual guidance to bring physical, mental, and spiritual health back into your life. It will inspire you to reset your body and energize your walk with God.

A Prayer for Your Health Journal book sitting on a granite countertop with a colorful mug in the background
Buy Today!

As an Amazon Associate, we receive a small commission for qualifying purchases.

Two women standing in the kitchen smiling.
Gigi & Sersie

Gigi Carter and Sersie Blue have over 25 years of combined experience in plant-based nutrition and health coaching. Their passion for healthy eating inspired them to create Daniel’s Plate, a recipe site focused on whole food, plant-based meals.

More Sauces

  • Lemon vinaigrette dressing in a small pitcher with a napkin and lemon blurred in the background.
    Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing
  • Vegan blue cheese dressing in a mason jar with a spoon lifting some out.
    Vegan Blue Cheese Dressing
  • Vegan honey mustard in a mason jar with spoon dipping some out.
    Vegan Honey Mustard
  • Creamy oil free Greek dressing in a mason jar with a spoon dipped in.
    Oil Free Greek Dressing

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marie

    January 09, 2025 at 2:16 am

    5 stars
    I happened to have all the ingredients for this recipe, I had a very busy day and was sure glad when I had my salad for lunch, this dressing was so good! Why did I wait so long to try it?

    Reply
    • Gigi & Sersie

      January 09, 2025 at 4:01 am

      So glad you enjoyed it! It's a great staple. 🙂

      Reply
5 from 1 vote

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Two women standing in the kitchen smiling.

Hi, we're Sersie and Gigi!

Every decision we make about the delicious recipes here on Daniel's Plate is based on health first. We focus on whole plant foods that help restore health and prevent chronic illnesses so you can live out your purpose with excellence.

More about us

Healthy Summer Recipes

  • Italian gazpacho in a bowl topped with fresh basil and a spoon on the side.
    Italian Gazpacho

  • Mediterranean quinoa salad in bowl with fork on the side.
    Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

  • Black eyed peas corn salad in a large bowl with a wooden serving spoon.
    Black Eyed Peas Corn Salad

  • Cucumber Gazpacho

  • Avocado and tomato salad in a bowl with sliced red onion and lemon vinaigrette.
    Avocado & Tomato Salad

  • top view close up of vegan pesto pasta salad with tomatoes, red bell pepper, onion, fresh chopped parsley in white bowl
    Vegan Pesto Pasta Salad

Favorite Iced Drinks

  • Banana milk matcha latte in a tall glass with ice and a metal straw.
    Banana Milk Matcha Latte

  • Spicy margarita mocktail with sliced jalapeno floating on top.
    Spicy Margarita Mocktail

  • Iced Strawberry Matcha Latte in a tall glass with metal straw.
    Strawberry Matcha Latte

  • Frosty mojito mocktail with fresh mint leaves and sliced lime.
    Healthy Mojito Mocktail

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

© 2025 Daniel's Plate. All rights reserved.  |  Learn more about The Daniel Fast   |   Privacy Policy  |   Accessibility

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.