Not only vegan, but without any soy, nuts, of flour, this Creamy Vegan Orange Balsamic Vinaigrette is also free of all major food allergens! I know for some this is good to hear since many creamy, vegan dressings contain either tofu or cashews. It is also tasty and excellent on my favorite salads!
It’s sunflower seeds for the win on this one. The first time I made this dressing I didn’t have any cashews soaked, and I didn’t have the time for even a quick-soak (sticking the cashews in boiled water for one hour), so instead I used sunflower seeds. They worked perfectly after only soaking for a short period of time, the dressing was delicious, and I thought the recipe would be ideal for those who can’t consume nuts.
It’s hard to find homemade creamy or cheesy vegan recipes without any nuts, especially without cashews, and a lot of people don’t think to use sunflower seeds. They’re also more economic. My local Sprouts sells organic raw cashews for $9.49 a pound, but the organic raw hulled sunflower seeds sell for a measly $3.49 a pound! That’s an entire $6. They’re less than half the price!
I love this dressing over greens topped with fresh or dried berries, nuts, red onions or shallots, and vegan feta if I have it. I like to use either strawberries, raspberries, or dried cranberries. For the nuts, (if you can have them — I guess that cancels out the sunflower seeds LOL) I like to use almonds, walnuts, or pecans. Sometimes I will candy my nuts and sometimes I enjoy them simply dry roasted. A good seed alternative to this tasty salad, would be to use roasted pepitas.
If you enjoy this dressing, please let me know! Leave a comment below, and make sure to tell me what kind of salad you used it on. You can also take a pic and tag me on Instagram, @veggiesattiffanis.
Creamy Vegan Orange Balsamic Vinaigrette
Equipment
- blender (preferably high-speed, otherwise soak seeds overnight)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raw hulled sunflower seeds soaked in warm water for 15 minutes
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice 100% juice, squeeze oranges yourself — you will need around 2 oranges
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup avocado oil
- 2 Tbsp 100% pure maple syrup
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup filtered water
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- After seeds are soaked, drain and rinse them well.
- Add all of the seeds, orange juice, vinegar, oil, maple, a pinch salt, a pinch pepper, and 2 tablespoons of water to your blender. Start the blender on low and gradually increase the speed to its highest setting. Blend until smooth.
- The dressing will probably be thick, add more water as needed (about 2 tablespoons at a time). Once the desired consistency is reached, taste and add more salt or pepper, if needed.