Simple Vegan Maple Dijon Dressing

This maple dijon dressing recipe is oil-free, creamy, and delicious. Perfect for any salad, as a vegetable dip, or to drizzle on baked potatoes, you will love this vegan dressing. So, go ahead and dip away!

When I make a salad, it's all about the dressing. Although the ingredients of the salad are important, the dressing brings it all together. Even though there are plenty of store-bought vegan dressings, I prefer to make my own at home. Not only is homemade dressing healthier, but I also know what's in it, which is extremely important. This maple dijon dressing recipe, for instance, has very few ingredients, yet tastes creamy, smokey and delicious. And my maple dijon dressing is oil-free! 

Why Make Oil-Free Dressing?

Many plant-based people follow different versions of a plant-based diet. Some choose, for example, to be oil-free, getting their essential fats from vegetables, nuts, seeds, and avocados. Since I cook oil-free, I make my dressings and sauces without any oil. Sometimes, however, I use a small number of nuts, to add a creamy component to my dressings. 

With that in mind, anyone allergic to nuts or choosing not to include nuts in their diets can always alter my dressings by replacing the cashews with the same amount of drained white beans, sunflower or hemp seeds, or silken tofu.

Regardless of your eating choices, there is always a way to enjoy plant-based dressings and sauces like maple dijon dressing. 

Maple Dijon Salad Dressing Ingredients

• Raw Cashews: Raw cashews are a dairy-free and vegan staple! After soaking, they can be blended with water to create everything from creamy pasta sauces incredible sour cream, vegan cheese, cashew milk, and more! Anytime you need a substitute for dairy in a recipe, cashews can create an incredibly creamy texture.
• Water: Water thins the dressing and acts as an emulsifier.
• Maple Syrup: Maple syrup adds sweetness without using refined sugar.
• Dijon Mustard: Dijon mustard is tngyy and adds another layer of flavor to the maple dijon dressing recipe.
• Liquid Smoke: I used hickory-flavored liquid smoke; however, there are other flavors to choose from.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar provides acidity to the dressing and immense flavor.

Maple Dijon Salad Dressing Ingredient Substitutions

• Instead of raw cashews, choose hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, silken tofu, or white beans for nut-free options.
• Or, instead of cashews, try macadamia nuts, almonds, or hazelnuts.
• Date syrup or agave nectar substitutes maple syrup in recipes.
• Stone-ground mustard replaces dijon mustard in dressing recipes.
• Try any flavor of liquid smoke, or use smoked, or regular paprika instead of liquid smoke.
• Though your standard white vinegar is considered neutral in flavor, it is highly acidic and has a pronounced sharp bite. Use it as an equal swap for apple cider vinegar, but consider adding a splash of fruit juice or a pinch of sugar to balance out the flavor. On its own, distilled white vinegar can be a bit harsh.

If you love creamy vegan dressings, you should also try:

• Vegan Blue Cheese Dressing
• Almond Butter Dressing
• Miso Tahini Dressing
• Vegan Southwest Dressing
• Vegan Ranch Dressing

Recipe FAQS

Tips

• Soak the cashews overnight or boil them to make sure they blend; however, if you have a quality blender, soaking or boiling isn't necessary.
• Store cashew dressing in the refrigerator for 5-6 days. You can freeze cashew cream, re-blend or whisk well once it thaws.
• The best way to store salad dressing is the same as storing any leftover food: in a container with a lid with as much air removed as possible and stored in the refrigerator. 
• To freeze dressings, I suggest using Souper Cubes.
• The consistency of this dressing is fairly thick but still pourable. If you prefer your dressings a little more runny feel free to add more water.

Try this maple dijon recipe for a creamy, delicious, oil-free dressing!

More Vegan Dips and Salad Dressings

If you love this maple dijon dressing recipe, give us a 5-star review and comment below. We would love to hear from you!

📖 Recipe