"Sneaky Silken" Tofu Ranch Dressing
5.0 out of 5 (1 votes)
A ridiculously creamy, tangy, and classic-tasting ranch dressing made entirely from a silken tofu base. It's oil-free, dairy-free, and loaded with fresh herbs, making it the perfect WFPB dip for veggies or a dressing for hefty salads.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
0 mins
Yields
Approx. 2 cups (16 servings)
Ingredients
- 1 block (12-14 oz) firm or extra-firm silken tofu, drained
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1.5 tsp onion powder
- 1.5 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt (or 3/4 tsp table salt, adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tbsp fresh dill, finely minced
- 3 tbsp fresh chives, finely minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely minced
- Optional: 1-3 tbsp unsweetened plant-based milk (like soy or oat), only if needed for thinning
Instructions
- Prep the Tofu: Gently open the silken tofu package and carefully drain away all excess water. Pat the block dry with a paper towel. (No need to press silken tofu, just get the surface liquid off).
- Create the Base: In a high-speed blender or food processor, combine the drained silken tofu, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Blend Until Smooth: Secure the lid and blend on high for 45-60 seconds. Stop and scrape down the sides of the blender, then blend again until the mixture is perfectly smooth, creamy, and has no lumps. It should resemble sour cream or mayonnaise.
- Fold in the Herbs: Transfer the smooth tofu base to a medium-sized bowl. Add the minced fresh dill, chives, and parsley.
- Stir, Don't Blend!: Use a spatula or whisk to fold the fresh herbs into the base.Note: We do this after blending to keep the dressing a creamy white colour with lovely green specks, just like classic ranch. If you blend the herbs, your dressing will turn a pale green (which is fine, but less traditional!).
- Adjust and Chill: Taste the dressing. Does it need more salt? More lemon for tang? Adjust it now. Once you're happy, cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This step is crucial, as it allows all those herb and garlic flavours to "marry" the tofu base.
- Final Check: After chilling, give it one last stir. If the dressing is thicker than you'd like (especially for a salad dressing), whisk in the optional plant milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
Additional Information
Nutrition Facts (Summary)
Calories
15
Fat
0.6g (36% of Calories)
Saturated Fat
0.1g
Cholesterol
0mg
Sodium
155mg (7% DV)
Carbohydrates
0.7g (19% of Calories)
Dietary Fiber
0.1g (0% DV)
Total Sugars
0.3g
Protein
2.1g (45% of Calories)
Vitamin A
96 IU (2% DV)
Vitamin C
1.8mg (2% DV)
Vitamin D
0 IU (0% DV)
Vitamin E
0.1mg (0% DV)
Vitamin K
11.2mcg (9% DV)
Thiamin (B1)
<0.1mg
Riboflavin (B2)
<0.1mg
Niacin (B3)
<0.1mg
Vitamin B6
<0.1mg
Vitamin B12
0mcg (0% DV)
Calcium
20mg (2% DV)
Copper
<0.1mg (5% DV)
Folate
7.5mcg (2% DV)
Iron
0.3mg (2% DV)
Magnesium
6.1mg (1% DV)
Phosphorus
26mg (2% DV)
Potassium
51mg (1% DV)
Selenium
1.2mcg (2% DV)
Zinc
0.2mg (2% DV)
Chef's Notes
Why Oil-Free? You'll notice we didn't add any oil. This is intentional and aligns with our WFPB goals. The silken tofu provides all the necessary fat and creamy mouthfeel to make the dressing rich and satisfying without needing processed oils.
Herb Variations: Don't have fresh herbs? You can use dried, but the flavour will be different (more "pantry" ranch). Use 1 teaspoon of each dried herb (dill, parsley, chives) and let it chill for at least an hour so they can rehydrate fully.
Storage: This will keep beautifully in an airtight container (like a mason jar) in the fridge for up to 5-7 days.
Assumptions:
Nutritional information is estimated based on a 14oz block of firm silken tofu and the ingredients listed.
Percentages for "Daily Value" (DV) are based on a 2,000-calorie reference diet.
Percentages for macronutrient calories are calculated from the gram amounts (Fat: 9cal/g, Carbs: 4cal/g, Protein: 4cal/g).
Herb Variations: Don't have fresh herbs? You can use dried, but the flavour will be different (more "pantry" ranch). Use 1 teaspoon of each dried herb (dill, parsley, chives) and let it chill for at least an hour so they can rehydrate fully.
Storage: This will keep beautifully in an airtight container (like a mason jar) in the fridge for up to 5-7 days.
Assumptions:
Nutritional information is estimated based on a 14oz block of firm silken tofu and the ingredients listed.
Percentages for "Daily Value" (DV) are based on a 2,000-calorie reference diet.
Percentages for macronutrient calories are calculated from the gram amounts (Fat: 9cal/g, Carbs: 4cal/g, Protein: 4cal/g).
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