• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Simple Green Smoothies
  • Recipes
  • Smoothies
  • Meal Plans
  • Challenge
  • Shop
  • Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Smoothies
  • Meal Plans
  • Challenge
  • Shop
  • Recipes
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Smoothies
  • Meal Plans
  • Challenge
  • Shop
  • Recipes
×

Home » Recipes » Sauces, Dressings & Seasonings

Chipotle Ranch Dressing

By Jen Hansard | 2 Comments

RECIPE CARD LEAVE REVIEW

I originally created this Chipotle Ranch Dressing as the dipping sauce for my Avocado Fries, yet it's quickly become my go-to condiment for many other recipes. It is creamy yet surprisingly dairy-free. This vegan chipotle ranch dresses up a salad as well as becomes an irresistible dip for vegetables, pizza and more.

chipotle ranch dressing in small white bowl

I'm totally #teamranchdressing and #teamspicy, so this recipe creates my dream condiment.

Vegan Chipotle Ranch Ingredients

My chipotle ranch recipe uses a mix of fresh and dried or canned ingredients for a balanced sauce bursting with smoky flavor:

ingredients for chipotle ranch including lime juice, canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, spices and cashews
  • Cashews: My vegan version uses cashews and a bit of lime juice to create a base that feels like yogurt or mayonnaise yet without dairy or eggs.
  • Lime juice- This brightens up the dressing without overpowering it.
  • Canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce- Adds a bit of smoky heat without adding too much spice.
  • Spices: I use a blend of spices to bring out the traditional ranch flavor. The combo of cumin, garlic powder, onion powder and dried dill weed along with sea salt and ground black pepper are typically found in ranch sauce.

Seasonings

2 photos showing adding spices in blender, then smooth texture of dipping sauce after blending
  • Cumin- A warm, nutty spice that compliments the smoky pepper flavor.
  • Garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill weed- These 3 spices are found in a traditional ranch dressing and bring that flavor to this vegan sauce.
  • Sea salt + ground black pepper- Brings the flavors all together. Add each to taste.

Easy Ingredient Swaps

While chipotle peppers aren't super spicy, you can swap them out for roasted red peppers for a zero-spice dressing. Swap out fresh cilantro for fresh parsley. Replace dried dill weed with fresh dill.

If you want a nut-free version, use plain, unsweetened coconut yogurt to keep this chipotle ranch dressing dairy-free. Or use regular greek yogurt if you don't need it to be dairy-free.

Dressing Serving Suggestions

This smoky and creamy dressing can go on a veggie wrap, dress up a veggie bowl, or sit in the middle of a platter of potato wedges. You can use it on pretty much any roasted veggie you make. I won't judge if you use it as a dipping sauce for your next pizza night.

Just remember, if you want to spread it then keep it on the thicker side, if you want to drizzle it then thin it out with just a bit of water.

Tips for Creamy Dressing

The secret to the silky smooth ranch texture in this vegan version is soaked cashews. Cashews alone offer a creamy texture yet when you soak them before blending, they'll turn any sauce into a thick n' creamy masterpiece.

Pro Tip: If you don't have time to soak cashews ahead of time, then use heat some water and soak the cashews in hot water for at least 10 minutes. This flash soaking technique works well in a pinch!

plate of avocado fries in vegan dipping sauce

Chipotle Ranch Dressing FAQs

What is in chipotle ranch?

My chipotle ranch dressing is made with soaked cashews, lime, canned chipotle peppers in adobe sauce and a blend of fresh and dried spices. It is smoky, tangy and full of savory flavor.

Is chipotle ranch spicy?

If you can't handle spice, then this isn't the sauce for you. It won't make you sweat, yet it does have a smoky kick to it. If you don't want any spice then swap the chipotle peppers for sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers that aren't spicy.

How do you make chipotle ranch vegan?

The secret to my vegan sauces is cashew cream. Soaked cashews blend into a creamy and smooth mixture that can be added to sweet and savory condiments. It acts like mayonnaise or cream but is totally vegan.

Chipotle Ranch Dressing

5 from 1 vote
Rate this Recipe Print Recipe
I love creating dips and dressings that are quick and can be used on a variety of dishes. This vegan chipotle ranch dressing is exactly that recipe! Originally created as the dipping sauce in my avocado fries, this condiment is fast becoming a staple in my fridge.
Total Time35 minutes
Servings2

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup cashews
  • 2 tablespoon lime (juiced)
  • 1 lime (zest)
  • 1 tablespoon canned chipotle pepper (in adobo sauce)
  • 1 tablespoon cilantro (fresh)
  • ½ teaspoon cumin (ground)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon dillweed (dried)
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper (ground)

Instructions

  • Soak cashews in enough water to completely cover them for 30 minutes up to overnight. Drain and rinse cashews. Transfer to a food processor.
  • Blend pre-soaked cashews with remaining ingredients until smooth. If needed, add 1 teaspoon of water at a time until mixture is able to blend fully.
  • Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to serve. Store 2-3 days.

Notes

  • To make this spicier, add more chipotle peppers. 
  • If making as a dip, try to keep it as thick as possible. If making as a dressing, feel free to add a bit more water to make this easily pourable. 
  • This can be frozen in an ice cube tray then thawed as needed.
  • To make this in a blender, triple the recipe. This will give your blender enough volume to blend well. 

Nutrition (estimated)

Calories: 291kcal (15%) Carbohydrates: 21g (7%) Protein: 9g (18%) Fat: 21g (32%) Saturated Fat: 4g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g Monounsaturated Fat: 12g Sodium: 394mg (17%) Potassium: 387mg (11%) Fiber: 4g (17%) Sugar: 4g (4%) Vitamin A: 417IU (8%) Vitamin C: 12mg (15%) Calcium: 40mg (4%) Iron: 4mg (22%)
plant based sauce recipes including avocado crema, cashew cream and hummus

For the Love of Sauces

If you have a hard time incorporating more vegetables into your diet then let me give you a tip: don't focus on the vegetables, focus on the dressing. I can eat almost anything if it's smothered in a perfectly spiced sauce, dip or dressing. Toss a bunch of chopped veggies on a tray, cook at 375° F for 20-30 minutes and while you wait, whip up one of these savory sauces:

  • Dairy-Free Pesto
  • Avocado Crema
  • Hemp Sauce
  • Cashew Cream
  • Garlic Lemon Aioli
  • Coconut Sriracha Sauce
  • Hummus

You really can't go wrong with a good homemade condiment ready to top your next dish. What's your fav way to dip, dunk or drizzle your veggies?

More

  • Kale Banana Smoothie
  • Portobello Mushroom Burgers
  • Mango Kale Smoothie
  • Pink Moon Milk

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Erin

    July 06, 2022 at 1:28 pm

    5 stars
    Just when I thought I couldn't love cashews more, you turn them into my fav ranch sauce. I've never bought peppers in adobe sauce before, would those be by the pickles and pickled peppers in the grocery store?

    Reply
    • Simple Green Smoothies

      July 07, 2022 at 10:45 am

      Hey Erin, that's a great question! Since each grocery store is setup differently, you could definitely search the isle with the pickles or pickled peppers. If you don't find them there you could look in the international section or the condiments isle.

Leave a Comment & Rating! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate the Recipe




Primary Sidebar

Jen hansard blogger at Simple Green Smoothies About

I'm Jen Hansard, mom of two, plant-based foodie, adventure junkie + cookbook author.

ABOUT ME
COOKBOOK
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • RSS Feed
  • Best Green Smoothie Recipe
  • Classic Vegan Pizza Recipe
  • Austinite Vegan Tacos
  • Healthy Blueberry Smoothie
  • Anti Inflammatory Smoothie
  • Fat Burning Smoothies for Weight Loss

Get my brand new, FREE 10-Day Smoothie Plan delivered to your inbox. Sign up →

  • How to Meal Prep Smoothies
  • How to Freeze Spinach
  • Top 10 Superfoods List of 2022
  • Best Blenders for Smoothies
  • How To Make Almond Milk
  • Plant Based Protein Powder for Smoothies

Top-quality smoothie supplies to make this healthy habit stick and transform your life.
Shop now →

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Footer

RECIPES

CHALLENGE

TOP BLENDERS

SMOOTHIE SHOP

MEAL PLANNER

CONTACT

©Simple Green Smoothies

Affiliate | Privacy | Terms