Published: by Nisha Melvani, RDN · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments
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5-Minute Oil-Free Vegan Salad Dressing that tastes delicious. Tangy, bright, and herby, this creamy dressing pairs well with any salad. Plus, it's meal prep friendly and packed with vitamin B12 and vitamin C.
this RECIPE
Light and fresh tasting, this oil-free dressing is so good, that I guarantee you will be making it on repeat. Make a big batch for the week and enjoy it with all your salads, veggies, and grain bowls. It lasts up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
This dressing recipe was inspired by my 3 Healthy Salad Dressing recipe on this site, as well as this 5-Minute Lemon Herb Tahini.
Jump to:
- 👩🏼🌾 Ingredients
- 🍋 Substitutions
- 📖 How to Make Oil-Free Salad Dressing
- ✔️ Expert tips
- 🙋🏽♀️ Recipe FAQs
- 🫙 Related Recipes
- 🥗 Pairing
- 👩🏽🍳 Made This Recipe?
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
👩🏼🌾 Ingredients
- Lemon juice
- Nutritional yeast
- Dijon mustard
- Maple syrup
- Fresh herbs
See the recipe card for quantities.
🍋 Substitutions
- Thyme, dill - use fresh herbs you already have on hand or substitute with 1 teaspoon of dried herbs for every 1 tablespoon fresh.
- Maple syrup - substitute with agave or a sweetener of your choice
For more easy and healthy salad dressings, visit my Vegan Dressing Recipes page.
📖 How to Make Oil-Free Salad Dressing
Step 1. Combine:Add the lemon juice, nutritional yeast, Dijon, maple syrup, herbs, and black pepper to a small bowl or jar.
Step 2. Whisk or shaketo combine. Adjust maple syrup and salt to taste.
✔️ Expert tips
- Fresh herbs take this dressing to the next level! You can use any fresh herbs you have on hand. Cilantro, parsley, basil, and oregano would all be delicious.
- Be sure to add a heart-healthy fat to your salad such as seeds or nuts so you can absorb the nutrients of the salad ingredients. Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K require a fat source to be absorbed.
- Storage: Refrigerate Oil-Free Vegan Salad Dressing in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
🙋🏽♀️ Recipe FAQs
What can I use instead of oil in salad dressing?
Anyfruit juicecan be used as an oil-free base in tangy salad dressings and sauces. This dressing which uses lemon juice. You can also replace oil in a vinaigrette with a mixture of water and seeds, such as chia, hemp, or ground flaxseeds.
What can I put on salad instead of dressing?
1. Vegan yogurt or hummus mixed with salsa, harissa, or pesto.
2. Mashed ripe avocado with lemon juice and fresh herbs.
3. Vegan yogurt in place of sour cream or mayo in creamy dressings.
What is a substitute for oil in a vinaigrette?
Tahini is an excellent substitute for oil. While it does contain natural oils from the ground sesame seeds, it's highly nutritious. It's rich in heart-healthy fats and minerals. Try my Balsamic Vinaigrette made with tahini instead of oil.
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🥗 Pairing
Try this dressing with one of these easy vegan salads:
- Lentil Pasta Salad Recipe (High Protein)
- Asparagus Salad Recipe
- Kale Salad with Chickpeas
- Best Cabbage Salad
👩🏽🍳 Made This Recipe?
Share your Oil-Free Vegan Salad Dressing creation with me onInstagram. It makes my day to see you recreate my recipes.
I would love it if you would ⭐️rate this recipeand leave acomment. Thank you in advance.
📖 Recipe
Oil-Free Vegan Salad Dressing
Nisha Melvani
5-Minute Oil-Free Vegan Salad Dressing that tastes delicious. Tangy, bright, and herby, this creamy dressing pairs well with any salad.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 0 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Servings 4 servings
Calories 31 kcal
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Ingredients
- Juice of 1 small lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup or to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh herbs or 2 teaspoons dried (thyme, dill)
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions
Combine: Add the lemon juice, nutritional yeast, Dijon, maple syrup, herbs, and black pepper to a small bowl or jar.
Whisk or shake to combine. Adjust maple syrup and salt to taste.
Notes
- Fresh herbs take this dressing to the next level! You can use any fresh herbs you have on hand. Cilantro, parsley, basil, and oregano would all be delicious.
- Storage: Refrigerate Oil-Free Vegan Salad Dressing in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
Calories: 31kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 0.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 84mg | Potassium: 112mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 91IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 0.4mg
This information is provided as a courtesy and is an ESTIMATE only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased can change the nutritional information in any given recipe.
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Healthy Dressing Recipes
- Easy Carrot Ginger Dressing
- Thai Salad Dressing
- Anti-Inflammatory Salad Dressing
- Easy Miso Tahini Dressing
Reader Interactions
Comments
Liz
This was super easy and delicious! I had very low expectations going in, but this dressing actually allowed me to enjoy a plain salad! I'm a very picky eater. Ty🥰Reply
Nisha Melvani, RDN
Awwww yayyyy! Yes the ingredients seem an odd combo but it works! Thank you.
Reply
Anne McCarthy
The oil free salad dressing is delicious, thank you very much. First time I’ve used nutritional yeast. I’ll be looking for more recipes using it.
Reply
Nisha Melvani, RDN
I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for commenting and enjoy!
Reply
