Dairy-Free Southwest Dressing

Transform your salads, tacos, and grain bowls with this creamy, zesty Dairy-Free Southwest Dressing! Made with soaked cashews and unsweetened almond milk, this luscious dressing delivers all the bold, smoky flavors you crave—without a drop of dairy. Fresh lime juice, cilantro, and a kick of chipotle chili powder bring a vibrant Southwest-inspired flair, while cumin, smoked paprika, and garlic powder create an irresistible depth of flavor. Optional maple syrup adds a hint of sweetness to balance the spice, and the easy blender method makes this recipe a breeze. Perfect for meal prep, this versatile dressing is gluten-free, vegan, and ready in just 10 minutes. Add a jar to your fridge and elevate your dishes with a healthy, homemade twist!

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:10 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 cup Unsweetened almond milk (or other dairy-free milk)
• 1 cup Raw cashews (soaked for 2-4 hours and drained)
• 2 tablespoons Fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 0.25 cup Cilantro (packed)
• 1 teaspoon Chipotle chili powder
• 1 teaspoon Cumin powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Maple syrup (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
• 2 tablespoons Water (as needed for consistency)

Directions

Step 1

If not already done, soak the raw cashews in water for 2-4 hours or boil them for 15 minutes to soften them. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

Add the drained cashews, unsweetened almond milk, fresh lime juice, olive oil, and cilantro into a high-speed blender or food processor.

Step 3

Add all the dry spices: chipotle chili powder, cumin powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.

Step 4

If you prefer a slightly sweet dressing, add the optional maple syrup to the blender.

Step 5

Blend the mixture on high speed until smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides of the blender as needed.

Step 6

If the dressing is too thick, add water one tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.

Step 7

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more salt, lime juice, or chipotle chili powder for additional flavor.

Step 8

Transfer the dressing to a jar or airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld together. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(546.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1132.5

Total Fat 93.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 15.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1519.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 58.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.6g	0%
Total Sugars 12.5g
Protein 29.6g	0%

Vitamin D 100.0IU	0%
Calcium 579.4mg	0%
Iron 13.7mg	0%
Potassium 1432.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 70.6%

Protein: 9.9%

Carbs: 19.5%