Creamy Ranch Hemp Dressing
Ranch Hemp Dressing is light, refreshing, and delicious topped on salads or used as a veggie dip! It’s a quick and easy hemp seed dressing made with hemp hearts, lemon, and herbs, and it is raw, nut-free, oil-free, soy-free, and vegan.
I love salad dressings! As you can see in the archives, we have Vegan Ranch Dressing, Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing, Flax + Evo Balsamic Vinaigrette, Tahini-Miso Dressing. All are delicious in their own way!
When you’re looking for a creamy dressing that’s oil and nut-free and ready in minutes, this ranch-style hemp seed salad dressing is just what you need! It’s not just for salads either and can be used as a dip for veggies or a spread for sandwiches.
I think you’re going to love this creamy hemp dressing as much as I do. I personally found myself tipping the bowl to get the last of it. And if you love the first batch, the recipe can easily be doubled next time around!
Benefits of Hemp Hearts
The base of this recipe is hemp hearts (aka, hulled hemp seeds):
- Quality protein. Hemp seeds are a great source of omega 3 & 6 and are a high-quality complete protein. Four tablespoons, or 1/4 cup, of hemp seeds contain 15 grams of protein.
- Nutrient-rich. Hemp hearts contain high concentrations of vitamins and minerals such as iron, vitamin E, thiamine, riboflavin, folic acid, and many other micronutrients that your body needs.
- There is no need to soak. Another great thing about hemp hearts is that they do not need to be soaked to aid in digestion. They can be eaten raw, and the body will absorb and digest all the nutrients readily and easily.
Hemp hearts are a great addition to any type of diet. Use them in smoothies, sprinkle on salads and nourish bowls, or on top of toast and jam!
Now, let’s make some delicious Creamy Hemp Dressing…
Ingredients You’ll Need
In this recipe, nutritious hemp hearts are blended with water and a flavorful mix of herbs, creating a creamy salad dressing that can easily double as a dip or spread.
Here is everything you’ll need:
- Hemp hearts – These heart-healthy seeds can be found at most grocery stores or purchased online (affiliate link).
- Water – you can also use your favorite unsweetened plain plant milk such as almond, soy, oat, cashew, etc.
- Lemon – Always use fresh lemon. Bottled lemon juice contains preservatives that may be a bit strong and will alter the flavor.
- Garlic + onion powder – Adds a nice bump of savory flavor.
- Salt – Use to enhance ingredients flavors.
- Herbs – Use fresh or dried chives, dill, parsley and/or cilantro.
How To Make Hemp Dressing
Here is a quick overview of the process with photos for reference. The full printable recipe card is below.
- In the blender cup, add the hemp hearts, garlic and onion powder, salt, and water, minus the herbs, and blend until smooth, about 30 – 45 seconds. If the dressing is too thin, add more hemp hearts; if it’s too thick, add a tad more water.
- Next, add in the herbs and blend until incorporated.
- Lastly, taste for flavor.
And now this simple creamy dressing is ready to enjoy!
Top Tips
- Recommended equipment: For this job, I found using a small, personal blender worked best, like this NutriBullet (<affiliate link). If using a regular-sized blender, I suggest doubling the recipe. You can always refrigerate the leftovers.
- Storing: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 – 6 days in an airtight container.
Serving Suggestions
My favorite part – eating this ranch hemp seed dressing! Here are a few of my favorite options:
- Salad Dressing: Serve with a simple house salad as shown below or with this loaded Vegan Cobb or Strawberry Spinach Salad.
- Veggie Dip: Serve as a dip with favorite veggies, such as carrots, cucumber, broccoli, zucchini, bell peppers, and more!
- Sandwich Spread: Use it as a spread for this Summer Vegetable Sandwich or vegan B.L.T.
More Healthy Hemp Heart Recipes!
- Raw Hemp Seed Cookie Balls
- Raw Creamy Miso Soup w/ Mushrooms
- Quinoa Tabbouleh + Hemp Hearts
- Garden Salad Lettuce Wraps
If you try this easy dressing recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment and rate it below. I love to hear what you think, or any changes you make.
PrintCreamy Ranch Hemp Dressing
Light, refreshing, and delicious, this creamy ranch hemp seed salad dressing is raw, nut-free, oil-free, soy-free, and vegan. It’s quick and easy to make and can be used as a salad dressing, dip, or spread!
- Prep Time: 3 min
- Total Time: 3 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Condiment, Dressing
- Method: blend
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup hemp hearts (hulled hemp seeds)
- 1/3 cup water, plus more as needed
- 1 medium lemon, juice of
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon mineral salt
- a few strands chives, broken into 1 inch pieces
- a few sprig leaves fresh dill
- a few sprig tops fresh cilantro and/or parsley
Instructions
Using a small blender (or double recipe if using a regular blender), combine ingredients, minus the herbs, and blend until smooth. If it is too thin, add more hemp hearts; if it is too thick, add a tad more water to thin it.
Add in the herbs and blend until incorporated. Taste for flavor, adding anything extra to suit your taste…more lemon?…more herbs?…more garlic, or onion powder? Chill before serving.
Makes about 1/2 cup, serving 2 – 4
Store: Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 – 6 days.
Notes
Mix and match herbs to suit your taste.
Salad shown consists of romaine lettuce, carrots, grape tomatoes, cucumbers and topped with cracked pepper. Just simple and delicious!
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT: I have not made this in a regular blender. The NutriBullet (affiliate link) works great for small jobs like this. If using a regular size blender, you may want to double the recipe.
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Could you use hemp milk instead of the hearts??
Thank you so much for this recipe!!! Perfect for a warm summer day! I really love it.
I made this today – wonderful taste. Thanks for great recipe!
I'm not sure why yours came out a bit off color. Maybe you added a bit more herbs than I did. I blended mine pretty well and refrigerated it before serving, that may have made mine a bit more creamy looking but it by no means was completely creamy. Try adding in the herbs once you've blended everything together and blend again for a few pulses to see if that will help with the color staying more white.
All in all, glad you liked it and I hope your next batch comes out perfect!
Dear Julie,
Your dressing sounds wonderful! Is it possible to use fresh onion and garlic instead of dried and use only one herb? Also, can I use the Tribest Personal Blender to make this dressing? Will all the seeds be blended? Thank you very much.
Hi Nakoyr. You may absolutely use fresh onions (shallots would be great) and fresh garlic…add as much as you like of each. This is just a template and you can add/subtract anything you like. One herb will be great too! Your small blender should be perfect for this job as well. And lastly, yes, all the seeds will blend, just let the blender run a good few minutes. Enjoy!
Thank you for this – it's amazing! I only had dried versions of all the herbs, bu still tasty! I added a little black pepper & about a tablespoon or two of nutritional yeast just because I can't resist. :)
Your additions sound great! I'll have to try that myself. I plan on making some tomorrow. Thank you as well! :)
Made this last week with just parsley because that was all I had on hand and it came out great! I've had it on salads and chickpea burgers since then and it's tasted great with everything.
Sounds wonderful with just simple parsley. That's what I love about this dressing is it's so versatile with the herbs you can use. Thanks for inspiring us with some of the places you've used it, sounds delicious! Cheers :)
This looks wonderful! I'll have to look around for hemp hearts. I also freeze my herbs in olive oil. It works great!
That's an good way to freeze herbs too. Thank you for sharing the idea!
What is the closest substitute for hemp hearts in this recipe?
You could use unsalted raw cashews or unsalted raw sunflower seeds, both should be great! If using cashews, I would suggest soaking them for a few hours before making your dressing. Soaking aids in the nuts being digested. And start with 1/4 cup water and add 1 tablespoon at a time until desired thickness.
I will like to make a creamy dressing using cashews soon. I just wanted this to be nut free for with allergies. Go ahead and give it a shot! Would love to hear how it worked for you too. :)
Would hemp seeds work? Thank you!
Hemp seeds have the shell so I'm not too sure how that would turn out. I buy hemp hearts in the bag from my local grocer. I would suggest sticking with those for a creamy style dressing with a light color. If you try, please share with us how it turns out…would love to know. :)
Can I substitute Chia Seeds for the Hemp?
No, unfortunately chia seeds will not create a creamy consistency, although I have never tried to be honest. Chia seeds have the shells and I'm just not sure it would create a creamy consistency.