10 Easy Vegan Salad Dressing Ideas

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Fresh garden salads are only as good as the dressing you put on them, and that’s why these 10 homemade Vegan Salad Dressings are so important. They are completely oil-free, vegan, absolutely delicious, and some are even gluten-free. Get ready to take those healthy salads to a new level!

photo collage of vegan salad dressings

I happen to absolutely love fresh salad. Whether it is a Spinach Citrus Salad or a Kale Salad, I’m all in, any time of the year or day!

We know that salads are not only colorful and beautiful, but they are great for our health as well.

overhead photo of plates of salad with oil free salad dressing

One thing I’ve found is that switching out the dressing regularly is one way to keep me craving those fresh colorful bowls that are packed with nutrition and plenty of fiber. One day I might have a simple 3-2-1 Vinaigrette and the next I may be feeling a little more like having my Creamy Ranch Dressing.

What is in a healthy salad?

Salads can be filled with disease-fighting phytonutrients, antioxidants, and loads of fiber. The fact is, it’s not just all about leafy greens and vegetables either.

  • Veggies– Some of my favorite things to put in a salad are greens like spinach, romaine, kale, and arugula. Other great veggie options include tomatoes, shredded carrots, diced celery, cucumber slices, broccoli florets, cauliflower, and so much more!
  • Grains– A great salad can be piled high with grains like brown rice, millet, or bulgur.
  • Beans- Whether it’s chickpeas, baby lima beans, or some other variety, beans add fiber that helps to keep you full for longer.
  • Fruit- Some of the fruits that I love to add to my salad are canteloupe, honeydew melon, strawberries, mango, and mandarin orange slices.
  • Nuts & Seeds- Sunflower seeds, almond slivers, and crushed walnuts are some of my favorites.

Choosing the right salad dressing

The downfall of many seeking these healthy benefits is what’s on top of their salad. Unfortunately, most salad dressings are loaded with lots of sugar and artery-clogging saturated fat.

Luckily, oil-free and dairy-free salad dressing options can provide a powerful punch of flavor for these culinary masterpieces without all the processed high-calorie junk.

What salad dressings are vegan?

All of the dressings in the list below are vegan and oil-free. For more information on each one, just scroll down to the pictures and click on the ones that you like.

There’s a ‘Jump to Recipe’ button at the top of each recipe page that will scroll you down to the recipe card that has the ingredients, measurements, instructions, and even a print button.

Be sure to check out our Salad Dressings Recipe page for more great recipes!

Vegan Salad Dressing Recipes

To keep things healthy and simple, here are ten oil-free and dairy-free salad dressings that will surprise you with how delicious they are, and they're so easy to make. Click on each of the photos, recipe titles, or 'Get the Recipe' buttons to see full recipes with ingredients, measurements, instructions, and a print button.

Easiest vegan salad dressing ever!

If you want something extremely simple that is great on salads, it just doesn’t get any better than this vinaigrette dressing with only 3-ingredients.

If you try this recipe, please let us know how you like it by rating it and leaving a comment. We love to hear from you!

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oil free salad dressing in clear glass cup surrounded by plates of salad
4.38 from 233 votes

Balsamic Oil-Free Salad Dressing

This recipe is great on pasta and bean salads, as well as regular garden salads. With only three ingredients required, it’s likely you’ve already got everything needed on-hand.
Prep: 3 minutes
Total: 3 minutes
Servings: 2 servings

Ingredients 

Instructions

  • Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl, or shake up in a jar. 
  • Pour over garden salad, bean salad, or pasta salad.
  • Store leftover dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7-days.

Video

Notes

Pro tips & substitutions
  • These ingredients can be switched out with other variations if desired. For instance, though the recipe calls for balsamic vinegar, other vinegar such as pomegranate, red wine, as well as others can be substituted.
  • The same goes for the mustard. I personally like Dijon in this dressing, but brown spicy, yellow, and others would likely be delicious too.
  • If maple syrup isn’t a favorite for you, try agave, brown rice syrup, or another sweetener of your choice.
  • Another 3-ingredient oil-free salad dressing that I love is this 5-Minute Tangy Vinegar Dressing that is actually from my favorite Thai restaurant where they use it as a dipping sauce for their fresh garden spring rolls.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 56kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 412mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g

Disclaimer

To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.

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Vegan salad ideas

About Terri Edwards

Hi guys! I am the content creator behind EatPlant-Based and a licensed Food for Life instructor with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. I am passionate about sharing healthy recipes and tips to empower others to get healthy.  I’m so glad you’re here! Read More…

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4.38 from 233 votes (231 ratings without comment)

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