Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing

Did you know there really was a “Hidden Valley Ranch”?

It was a resort in California, owned by Steve and Gayle Henson, the place where ranch dressing was invented.

Steve Henson's, simple mixture of mayonnaise, buttermilk and herbs has become our favorite way to liven up lettuce.

However, commercially bottled ranch dressing is made with unhealthy soybean oil, then loaded with preservatives, artificial flavors and finished with a dose of monosodium glutamate, a known neurotoxin.

What's So Unhealthy About Soybean Oil?  Omega-6 fatty acids and trans-fats stimulate the body's production of inflammation-causing chemicals. Omega-6's are found in vegetable oils, like soybean oil, corn oil, peanut oil, canola oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, and sunflower oil. Trans-fats are found in products that contain partially hydrogenated oils. Chronic inflammation is a symptom of almost every disease process. Source: The Inflammation Syndrome.

This is far from what Henson served his guests at Hidden Valley Ranch. Let's return to the ranch and make our own healthy Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing.

There's a well-known trick for making buttermilk by simply adding vinegar or lemon juice to cream or milk.

I used this trick, with my favorite canned coconut milk, to come up with a dairy-free version of buttermilk.

It worked beautifully and the result was a wonderful dairy-free version of ranch dressing.

By the way, this brand is my favorite because the can is not lined with BPA, the thickness and consistency after shaking is perfect and it does not have an overpowering coconut taste.

Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Chill Time: 60 minutes
Servings: 12 – 2 Tbsp.

Ingredients

• 1 c. (less 1 Tbsp.) Canned Coconut Milk
• 1/2 c. Mayonnaise
• 1 Tbsp. Coconut Vinegar
• 1/2 tsp. Dried Chives
• 1/2 tsp. Dried Parsley
• 1/2 tsp. Dried Dill Weed
• 1/4 tsp. Onion Powder
• 1/4 tsp. Garlic Powder
• 1/8 tsp. Celtic Sea Salt
• 1/8 tsp. Black Pepper

Directions

1. In a one cup measuring cup add 1 Tbsp. vinegar or lemon juice and then fill to the top with coconut milk.
2. Let stand for 5 minutes.
3. Whisk together all ingredients and then pour into a pint jar with a lid.
4. Refrigerate overnight to thicken before serving.

Recipe Notes

I use homemade mayonnaise in this recipe as it is difficult to find a store bought one made with healthy oil. If you're an online shopper, this one is excellent!

About Vanessa Rae Romero

A Christ-follower, wife, mom, grandma, entrepreneur, city slicker, purple lover, and health nut who inspires women to live healthy, love intently, lead purposefully, and to have fun along the way.