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 (3)

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 (4)

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 (5)

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 (6)

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 (7)

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 (9)

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 can I use instead of oil in a salad dressing? ›

Here are some of my favorite ways to replace oil in most traditional salad dressing recipes.
  • Water and arrowroot powder. ...
  • Silken tofu. ...
  • Unsweetened applesauce. ...
  • Flax seeds. ...
  • Nuts or seeds. ...
  • Avocado. ...
  • Tahini and nut butters. ...
  • Beans.
Apr 8, 2022

How to thicken dressing without oil? ›

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.

What is the basic salad dressing formula? ›

The French have decided that the perfect ratio for a vinaigrette is 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar. For my personal taste, that's a little too oily — but it's totally up to you. My simple system is: In a small screw-top jar, place vinegar and a pinch of salt; cover and shake (this helps to dissolve the salt).

What is a healthy substitute for olive oil? ›

The 9 Best Olive Oil Substitutions
  • Grapeseed Oil. Grapeseed oil isa neutral-tasting oil, so it won't add any noticeable flavor to your food. ...
  • Canola Oil. Canola oil is another neutral oil made from crushed canola seeds. ...
  • Sunflower Oil. ...
  • Peanut Oil. ...
  • Avocado Oil. ...
  • Walnut Oil. ...
  • Flaxseed Oil. ...
  • Sesame Oil.

What ingredient makes the dressing emulsify more easily? ›

The most common emulsifiers in your kitchen are likely egg yolks, mayonnaise, prepared mustard (preferably Dijon), honey, and tomato paste (though I'm not a fan of raw tomato paste, the flavor works quite well in a vinaigrette). For a more neutral flavor, use mayonnaise.

Can you use flour to thicken dressing? ›

You can use flour as a quick and easy way to thicken up a sauce. Make a simple flour slurry by combining 2 tablespoons (about 16-18 grams) of flour and . 25 cups (59 mL) of water for every 1 cup (240 mL) of sauce. Stir the flour slurry to combine it well and then stir it gently into your sauce.

What is the simplest form of dressing? ›

Lets start with a vinaigrette. These are the lightest of all dressings. On the simplest level they're merely any kind of acid (think lemon, lime, vinegar etc.) whisked together with oil salt and pepper.

What are the two main ingredients of most standard salad dressings? ›

However, classic vinaigrette dressings are based on a ratio of three parts oil to one part white wine vinegar, with added flavorings to complement the salads or dishes in which they are being used.

What is the most common 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.

What to avoid in salad dressing? ›

5 Ingredients To Avoid
  • Palm Oil. Palm oil can pop up in both creamy and oily dressings, and it's a top ingredient that Taub-Dix said to avoid. ...
  • Sugar (but it's rarely called sugar) ...
  • Salt. ...
  • Monosodium glutamate (MSG) ...
  • Coconut oil.
Jan 24, 2024

What is the healthiest salad you can eat? ›

10 Nutrient-Dense Salad Recipes
  • Low-Carb Asian Chopped Salad.
  • Spicy Shrimp, Avocado, and Arugula Salad.
  • Tofu and Kale Salad.
  • Pear, Grape, and Feta Salad.
  • Mediterranean Chicken Salad.
  • Blood Orange and Quinoa Kale Salad.
  • Golden Beet and Pomegranate Salad.
  • Roasted Chickpea and Kale Salad.
Jul 20, 2021

What are the three basic types of salad dressing? ›

In Western culture, there are three basic types of salad dressing: Vinaigrette; Creamy dressings, usually based on mayonnaise or fermented milk products, such as yogurt, sour cream (crème fraîche, smetana), buttermilk; Cooked dressings, which resemble creamy dressings, but are usually thickened by adding egg yolks and ...

Is oil necessary in salad dressing? ›

While the calorie-conscious often avoid using salad dressing, a new study (1) has found that the added oils from dressings enhance the absorption of essential nutrients from salads - namely vitamins E, K, alpha and beta carotene, lutein and lycopene.

What can be used instead of oil? ›

  • Melted Butter.
  • Avocado.
  • Unsweetened Applesauce.
  • Greek Yogurt.
  • Shortening.
  • Coconut Oil.
  • Bacon Grease.
  • Nut Butters.
Nov 3, 2023

What is the healthiest neutral oil for salad dressing? ›

If you want a neutral oil that won't overpower food, use avocado, canola, grapeseed, safflower, or sunflower oil. For a stronger flavor, try flaxseed or nut oil. A good way to experiment: try various oils in a salad or on bread.

What is a healthy substitute for canola oil in salad dressing? ›

The best substitute for canola oil? Olive oil is well known to be a heart-healthy cooking oil (source). If you're making something savory like a salad dressing or sauteing, you can use olive oil as a 1 for 1 substitute for canola oil.

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