6 Plant-Based Oil-Free Salad Dressing Recipes (2024)

These wfpb salad dressings taste even better than the oil-filled ones!

6 Plant-Based Oil-Free Salad Dressing Recipes (1)

The salads I love combine a mixture of greens and fresh veggies with a generous portion of the delicious and healthy dressings below. In addition to being ultra-low calorie, whole food, plantbased and oil-free, each dressing is so flavorful it may make your jaw drop, and is sure to please even salad haters and omnivores.

As you might know, my journey to lose weight started when I adopted a whole food, plant-based diet. I had to learn a lot of things – including how to cook without setting off the fire alarm! Giving up oil was one of those things, and these 6 wfpb salad dressing recipes were the perfect way to start eating more salads.

How To Make Dinner Salads for Four

6 Plant-Based Oil-Free Salad Dressing Recipes (2)

Dinner salads don’t have to be about lettuce and a few boring vegetables. I like to start with garden fresh vegetables and go from there. I almost always have some type of lettuce, but you can switch it up with leafy greens, spinach, arugula, dandelion greens – or a combination. See which lettuce looks the best and give it a try.

For every two cups of greens, I like to add one cup of cut vegetables. Look for what’s fresh at the farmers market or in the produce aisle at your local grocery store. It doesn’t have to be the same vegetables every time – that’s what makes it fun and interesting. I like mixing it up with carrots, radishes, cucumbers, and tomatoes.

To make dinner salads for four, you’ll need about 8 cups of salad total. Since we’re using two cups of lettuce for every cup of vegetables, that makes the “recipe” look something like this:

  • 6 cups loose greens, such as lettuce, spinach, arugula, or dandelion greens.
  • 2 cup cut vegetables, such as carrots, radishes, cucumbers, and tomatoes.

You can toss everything together in a large bowl and add one of these 6 wfpb salad dressing salad dressings below. Each recipe creates enough salad dressing to make four, large well-coated dinner salads. If you want to make more than just one nights worth of salad, multiply the ingredients by four which will make enough dressing to fill a recycled salad dressing jar.

6 WFPB Salad Dressing Recipes

6 Plant-Based Oil-Free Salad Dressing Recipes (4)

I think you’re going to be surprised when you make these salad dressing recipes. You’ll find that you really don’t need that calorie-dense oil. Each salad dressing recipe has a unique ingredient that gives just the right amount of body.

For example, the Tamari Vinaigrette and the Sesame Umami dressings get a delicious mouthfeel from the super savory, gluten-free Tamari sauce. In the 1001 Islands, Agave Mustard, and Creamy Italian dressings, the main ingredient is actually tofu! They have such a creamy texture, and you definitely won’t miss the oil. And, for the Strawberry Vinaigrette, fresh strawberries are pureed to become the body of the dressing.

I am happy to share my plant-based salad dressing recipes with you. I’ll be sharing more delicious recipes with SkinnyMs, so be sure to check back often!

4.40 from 58 votes

6 Plant-Based Oil-Free Salad Dressing Recipes

From creamy salad dressings to Vinaigrette style, you'll love these six easy and quick plant-based recipes. You won't find any oil in Eric's recipes, only whole foods.

Review Recipe PIN RECIPE Print Recipe

Yield 4 people

Serving Size 2 tablespoons

Course Condiment, Salad

Cuisine American

Author Eric O’Grey

6 Plant-Based Oil-Free Salad Dressing Recipes (5)

Review Recipe PIN RECIPE Print Recipe

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

Tamari Vinaigrette

  • 1/4 cup tamari
  • 1/4 cup balsamic or red wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1001 Islands

  • 6 tablespoons silken tofu
  • 3 tablespoons stone ground mustard
  • 3 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper

Agave Mustard

  • 1/4 cup cup silken tofu
  • 1/4 cup stone ground mustard
  • 3 tablespoons agave syrup
  • 1 pinch salt or to taste
  • 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper or to taste

Strawberry Vinaigrette

  • 4 large strawberries
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons agave syrup
  • 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper

Creamy Italian

  • 6 tablespoons soft silken tofu
  • 4 tablespoons water
  • 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon rosemary flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon basil flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper

Sesame Umami

  • 1/4 cup tamari (optional soy sauce)
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 clove garlic

Instructions

Tamari Vinaigrette

  • Whisk and mix with salad.

1001 Islands

  • Puree using immersion blender or whisk briskly until smooth.

Agave Mustard

  • Puree using immersion blender or whisk briskly until smooth.

Strawberry Vinaigrette

  • Mix in food processor or pulse in high speed blender to retain texture if desired.

Creamy Italian

  • Puree tofu and water using a small food processor or immersion blender then pulse-blend in other ingredients to retain bits of color from herb flakes.

Sesame Umami

  • Toast sesame seeds in skillet over medium-high heat until they pop, then grind seeds in spice grinder and whisk together with other ingredients.

Notes

The nutritional information in the nutritional information section of the card is for the Tamari Vinaigrette, but here’s the break down for the remaining recipes:

1001 Islands

Serving: 3 tbsp. (approximately) | Calories: 28kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 289mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | SmartPoints (Freestyle): 2

Agave Mustard

Serving: 3 tbsp. (approximately) | Calories: 67kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 188mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | SmartPoints (Freestyle): 4

Strawberry Vinaigrette

Serving: 2 tbsp. (approximately) | Calories: 42kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | SmartPoints (Freestyle): 2

Creamy Italian

Serving: 3 tbsp. (approximately) | Calories: 16kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 293mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | SmartPoints (Freestyle): 1

Sesame Umami

Serving: 3 tbsp. (approximately)| Calories: 34kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 811mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | SmartPoints (Freestyle): 2

Nutrition Information

Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 24kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 842mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g |

SmartPoints (Freestyle): 1

Keywords Plant-Based, Quick and Easy

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Learn more about Eric and his initiatives at EricandPeety.

Looking for more plant-based recipes withzero cholesterol? Try one of these recipes:

Plant-Based Slow Cooker Chili Recipe

6 Plant-Based Oil-Free Salad Dressing Recipes (6)

Eric’s plant-based slow cooker chili recipe is the perfect introduction to plant-based cooking. It’s low calorie and full flavored, the perfect entrée to serve alongside a salad dressed with one of these delicious and easy plant-based dressings!

6-Ingredient Mexican Style Quinoa Salad

6 Plant-Based Oil-Free Salad Dressing Recipes (7)

Who says a plant-based diet is low on protein? One serving of this easy prep salad has a whopping 17 grams of protein per serving. There is a reason this recipe has been shared over 82K times. We all like easy, quick, and less ingredient recipes, and this one fits the bill. You’re going to want to make this recipe over and over again.

Easy Lentil Vegetable Loaf

6 Plant-Based Oil-Free Salad Dressing Recipes (8)

Did you know that you can use lentils as a replacement for ground beef? This recipe is the perfect way to enjoy some comfort food while embarking on your new plant-based journey. Keep in mind, even hardcore meat eaters will love this recipe.

Plant-Based Burrito Bowl

This energy-boosting burrito bowl is bursting with flavor and full of fiber to keep you full and focused all day long. In addition to incredible flavors and boat loads of nutrients, this power bowl is also a cinch to make. It will be ready to devour in just 10 minutes!

Plant-Based Cashew Flat Bread

6 Plant-Based Oil-Free Salad Dressing Recipes (10)

The versatility of cashews really is what made this flat bread recipe possible! Cashews are king when it comes to plant-based cooking, as you’ll see in this simplistic recipe. All it requires is cashews and water, and then you can add whatever ingredients you’d like from the list provided!

Quinoa Apple Breakfast Bowl

When we combined our favorite superfood quinoa, with chopped apples, maple syrup, cinnamon, and walnuts, magic happened! The aromas and flavors swirled together to leave you with an absolutely delectable breakfast option. It truly is food for the body and mind.

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6 Plant-Based Oil-Free Salad Dressing Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the formula for salad dressing? ›

Vinaigrettes, or vinegar-based dressings, are almost always made in a ratio of 1 part acid to 3 or, for less astringent flavor, 4 parts oil. ACID: Traditionally, vinaigrettes are made with vinegar, often one derived from wine.

What are the 4 primary dressing types used on salads? ›

The four main salad dressings are vinaigrette, emulsified vinaigrette, mayonnaise-based, and mayonnaise. An emulsion is the permanent blending of unlike ingredients, such as oil and vinegar. Vinaigrettes are lighter dressings used on more delicate ingredients, like salad greens.

Which two fats oils would be the healthiest for salad dressings? ›

Olive oil is the best known for being high in monounsaturated fats, although macadamia nut, avocado and canola oils also have a high level, so these are all healthy choices.

What is the best vinegar for salad dressing? ›

White wine vinegar

This vinegar has a much mellower flavor than red wine vinegar and lacks the sharp tang of its sister vinegar. White wine vinegar is best used with more delicate salads and any situation where you want to add a hint of vinegar, but do not want that flavor to overwhelm the dish.

What is the best vinegar for salads? ›

Balsamic vinegar: Makes a bold, slightly sweet dressing that is wonderful on green salads with fruit, such as apples, strawberries or peaches. Red wine vinegar: Packs a punch and works well with other bold flavors and bright veggies, like tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumber, cabbage and more (think Greek salads).

What is the number 1 salad dressing? ›

Ranch Dressing

The ranch is hands down America's most beloved salad dressings. It is made from a number of ingredients such as buttermilk, mayonnaise, mustard, garlic, onion, chives, salt, and pepper. A creamier and richer version often features sour cream or yogurt for enhanced taste.

What is the oldest salad dressing? ›

The Babylonians used oil and vinegar for dressing greens nearly 2,000 years ago. Egyptians favored a salad dressed with oil, vinegar and Asian spices. Mayonnaise is said to have made its debut at a French Nobleman's table over 200 years ago.

What is the unhealthiest salad dressing? ›

Caesar dressing. Made up of mayonnaise, cheese, salt and oil (and all too often, anchovies), Caesar tends to be one of the least healthy options out there. Those ingredients cause it to be high in both saturated fats and sodium.

What is a good substitute for oil in salad dressing? ›

One of the easiest ways to replace oil in a vinaigrette is to switch it out for a mixture of water and seeds: specifically, chia, hemp, or ground flaxseeds. Commonly used as egg replacers in vegan baking, these three seeds create a thickened “slurry” when mixed with water.

Which is no 1 healthy oil? ›

1. Olive oil. A key component of the Mediterranean diet, olive oil is made from the juice of the olive fruit and is known for its many health benefits, from protecting against heart disease to reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Can vegans eat oatmeal? ›

Yes! It doesn't matter which brand of oatmeal you buy, they're all vegan as long as they don't have any other ingredients that are not vegan.

Can vegans eat hummus? ›

Hummus is a vegan staple that allows you to have some versatility in your diet. It's an immensely popular food amongst vegans so you may have found a new favourite yourself. It's available in a wide range of flavours and is very versatile in the kitchen so you can experiment with it if you wish to.

What is salad dressing a mixture of chemistry? ›

Salad dressing can be a hom*ogeneous mixture or a heterogeneous mixture based on the type of salad dressing it is. Oil and vinegar are the main ingredients in Italian salad dressing. Since oil and vinegar don't mix Italian salad dressing would be a heterogeneous mixture.

What is the primary ingredient in salad dressings? ›

"Oil, acid, Dijon mustard and sugar are the key components to a delicious salad dressing," says Chatelaine food content director Irene Ngo. Oil and an acid (vinegar or citrus) make up a large component of the dressing, while Dijon helps to emulsify it.

What are the components of salad dressing? ›

You could invent a new salad dressing today. Oils include olive oil, walnut oil, canola oil, and avocado oil. Acids include apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, wine vinegar, and rice vinegar. Flavorings include herbs, spices, condiments (mustard, sriracha, chili oil), fruits, and aromatics.

What is salad dressing a mixture of? ›

In Western culture, there are two basic types of salad dressing: Vinaigrettes based on a mixture (emulsion) of olive or salad oil and vinegar, and variously flavored with herbs, spices, salt, pepper, sugar, and other ingredients such as poppy seeds or ground Parmesan cheese.

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