18 Gluten Free Salad Dressing and Sauce Recipes Vegan and Oil-Free (2024)

I’ve collected the very best vegan salad dressing recipes that are oil-free and gluten-free! No more dry salads or flavorless veggies! These recipes turn the ordinary into the extraordinary!

18 Gluten Free Salad Dressing and Sauce Recipes Vegan and Oil-Free (1)
Jump to:
  • Ingredients to Avoid That Have Gluten
  • Ingredients to Avoid That Have Oil
  • Why is the use of oil discouraged on a whole food plant-based diet?
  • Where do you find an oil-free salad dressing that is vegan and gluten-free?
  • Vegan Salad Dressing Recipes
  • Vegan Sauce Recipes | Oil-Free and Gluten-Free
  • More Vegan Salad Recipes!

When it comes to flavor, it’s all about the dressing and the sauce. It’s the salad dressing that pulls the flavors of a salad together and the sauce that turns something simple into something incredible.

18 Gluten Free Salad Dressing and Sauce Recipes Vegan and Oil-Free (2)

If you’re following a whole food plant-based diet finding a store-bought oil-free salad dressing can be a challenge. When you’re also looking for one that is gluten-free, it’s even more difficult.

While you know most dairy-free dressings contain oil or other processed ingredients, you wouldn’t think there would be gluten in salad dressings.

But many store-bought salad dressings contain gluten because they’re either cross-contaminated or contain ingredients that have gluten.

Ingredients to Avoid That Have Gluten

If making your salad dressing at home or buying store-bought salad dressing avoid these ingredients, which contain gluten.

  • Alcohol
  • Miso
  • Soy Sauce
  • Artificial color
  • Dextrin
  • Ground spices
  • Natural Flavorings
  • Malt
  • Malt vinegar
  • Flour
  • Food starch

If you’re looking for store-bought gluten-free salad dressings, I recommend checking out this list from Very Well Fit.

Ingredients to Avoid That Have Oil

If you’re also following a whole food, plant-based no, oil lifestyle finding a store-bought dressing that is oil-free and gluten-free is an even greater challenge. Here is a list of ingredients to avoid that typically contain oil.

  • Vegan Mayonnaise
  • Olive Oil
  • Soybean Oil
  • Canola Oil
  • Corn Oil
  • Sunflower Oil
  • Safflower Oil
  • Peanut Oil
  • Grape Seed Oil

Why is the use of oil discouraged on a whole food plant-based diet?

Oil is one of the most calorie-dense foods, and is why a salad full of veggies can go from a healthy choice to a high-caloric meal.

Where do you find an oil-free salad dressing that is vegan and gluten-free?

Don’t worry! You’re not cursed to a life of bland salads and dry, flavorless meals.

I’ve collected a list of the top 20 Vegan Salad Dressing and sauce recipes that are vegan and gluten-free. They will leave you thinking, “Oil? Gluten? Who needs it!?”

These dressings and sauces are easy and quick to make too! Enjoy them on your salad, steamed vegetables, quinoa, rice, lentils, beans, baked potatoes, pasta, Buddha bowls, and so much more!

Let your creativity run wild and add flavor to your favorite stand-by recipes!

Vegan Salad Dressing Recipes

Get ready to dress your salads with gluten-free salad dressing recipes that are creamy and satisfying!

Avocado Ranch Dressing by Sustainable Cooks

18 Gluten Free Salad Dressing and Sauce Recipes Vegan and Oil-Free (3)

Smooth and creamy, you’ll flip for thisAvocado Ranch Dressing! Great as a dip, dressing, or sauce, this dairy-free ranch dressing is seriously addicting. With adaptable ingredients, this can be a Whole30, paleo, and vegan dressing.

Vegan Tahini Dressing

18 Gluten Free Salad Dressing and Sauce Recipes Vegan and Oil-Free (4)

This creamylemon tahini dressingis the perfect everyday plant-based dressing, delicious on salads, bowls, falafels, roasted vegetables, and so much more. It’s made with a handful of ingredients, including tahini, fresh lemon juice, water, garlic, and seasoning!

Celery Ranch Dressing by Spabettie

18 Gluten Free Salad Dressing and Sauce Recipes Vegan and Oil-Free (5)

Celery Ranch Dressing – this quick and easy veganrecipeis flavorful take on the classic that is a favorite of so many – celery adds a crisppop of flavor to this tangy cool ranch!

Vegan Thousand Island by Spabettie

18 Gluten Free Salad Dressing and Sauce Recipes Vegan and Oil-Free (6)

Vegan Thousand Island Dressing – this quick and easy recipe brings you the tangy flavor of the classic dressing – with an oil free version!

Citrus Tahini Dressing by Veggie Inspired

18 Gluten Free Salad Dressing and Sauce Recipes Vegan and Oil-Free (7)

This creamy dressing is the perfect drizzle for all of your leafy greens. Oil free, dairy free, gluten free, and sugar free.

Creamy Cumin Ranch Dressing by Veggie Inspired

18 Gluten Free Salad Dressing and Sauce Recipes Vegan and Oil-Free (8)

A creamy, tangy, herby, dairy free ranch dressing with a hint of southwest flavors. This dressing is super versatile!

Tomato Vinaigrette by Hungry Healthy Happy

18 Gluten Free Salad Dressing and Sauce Recipes Vegan and Oil-Free (9)

A dressing can really make or break a salad and this Tomato Vinaigrette definitely makes a salad. It’s light, fresh and low in calories, but best of all it is still full of flavor. Blendtogether some fresh tomatoes, basil, garlic and balsamic and you have yourself a salad dressing that is ready in minutes.

Almond Turmeric Dressing by Meals with Maggie

18 Gluten Free Salad Dressing and Sauce Recipes Vegan and Oil-Free (10)

ThisAlmond Turmeric Dressingis abeautiful blend of turmeric, ginger, lemon and almonds makes the perfect dressing to put on just about anything. I fell in love with Trader Joe’s and had to make a copycat version.

Savory Garlic Dressing by A Plantiful Path

18 Gluten Free Salad Dressing and Sauce Recipes Vegan and Oil-Free (11)

This garlicky dressing is great on salad greens with some oven baked croutons. It’s also good on sandwiches and other vegetables.

Mango Dressing by Keeping the Peas

18 Gluten Free Salad Dressing and Sauce Recipes Vegan and Oil-Free (12)

This sweet and spicy Mango Dressing is oil free and vegan. Mango gives it natural sweetness while the hint of cayenne gives it a spicy kick. Drizzle on salads, fruit, steamed vegetables, or sandwiches. It’s a 5 ingredient 5 minute dressing.

GET THE RECIPE

Vegan Avocado Dressing by Keeping the Peas

18 Gluten Free Salad Dressing and Sauce Recipes Vegan and Oil-Free (13)

This creamy Vegan Avocado Dressing is quick, easy! With only 6 simple ingredients, and 5 minutes, you’ll have a healthy oil-free whole food plant-based dressing for your favorite salads or Buddha bowls!

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Vegan Honey Mustard Dressing by Keeping the Peas

18 Gluten Free Salad Dressing and Sauce Recipes Vegan and Oil-Free (14)

Sweet and spicy this vegan honey mustard dressing is sweetened with maple syrup.

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Vegan Sauce Recipes | Oil-Free and Gluten-Free

Sauces that are finger licking delicious! Pour them on your vegan burgers, baked potato, steamed veggies, and more. Let your creativity run wild and get saucy

Vegan Honey Mustard by The Hidden Veggies

18 Gluten Free Salad Dressing and Sauce Recipes Vegan and Oil-Free (15)

Thisvegan honey mustarddipping sauce is a sweet and tangy way to add flavor to your favorite vegan “chicken” nuggets, sandwiches, cauliflowernuggets, or tofu bites! With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up this “honey” mustard dipping sauce or dressing in minutes!

Creamy Chipotle Sauce by Vegan Huggs

18 Gluten Free Salad Dressing and Sauce Recipes Vegan and Oil-Free (16)

If you want something spicy, tangy and smoky to add to your life, you need to try this Creamy Chipotle Sauce. It’s easy to make, inexpensive and much healthier than store-bought varieties.

Vegan Tikka Masala by Masala Herb

18 Gluten Free Salad Dressing and Sauce Recipes Vegan and Oil-Free (17)

This Tikka Masala Sauceis vegan and gluten-free and so much tastier and healthier than the stuff you get in stores!

Vegan Cheese Sauce by Keeping the Peas

18 Gluten Free Salad Dressing and Sauce Recipes Vegan and Oil-Free (18)

An easy creamy vegan cheese sauce made with raw cashews and spices. This versatile cheese sauce is perfect for nachos, quesadillas, steamed veggies, or using as a base for mac and cheese! It’s a vegan classic made with whole food ingredients that will become a staple in your kitchen!

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Vegan Alfredo Sauce by Keeping the Peas

18 Gluten Free Salad Dressing and Sauce Recipes Vegan and Oil-Free (19)

Creamy, smooth, and big on flavor this Vegan Alfredo Sauce is easy to make with 6 simple ingredients, and fifteen minutes from start to finish. No need to soak your cashews!

It’s a whole food plant-based version of the classic Italian sauce that’s dairy-free, oil-free, gluten-free, and healthy.

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Homemade Sugar Free Low Carb Pizza Sauce by Low Carb Yum

18 Gluten Free Salad Dressing and Sauce Recipes Vegan and Oil-Free (20)

It’s so easy to create your own low carb and sugar-free pizza sauce. It’s a great way to use up some late summer crop of tomatoes or frozen skinned ones.

Vegan Tzatziki Sauce by Keeping the Peas

18 Gluten Free Salad Dressing and Sauce Recipes Vegan and Oil-Free (21)

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I hope you found some delicious vegan, oil-free, and gluten-free salad dressing and sauce recipes that you’d like to try!

More Vegan Salad Recipes!

  • Basil Sauce with Lemon and Garlic
  • Fattoush Salad
  • Vegan Greek Salad
  • Mediterranean Cucumber Salad

Please comment below if you found this article helpful or have any additional questions. You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more family-friendly vegan recipes!

18 Gluten Free Salad Dressing and Sauce Recipes Vegan and Oil-Free (2024)

FAQs

What is a good substitute for oil in salad dressing? ›

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 salad dressing can vegans eat? ›

Creamy Vegan Salad Dressings to Take Your Next Lunch Up a Notch
  • Simply Free. These creamy and healthy dressings come in four delicious flavors: Greek Feta Dill, Spicy Harissa, Zesty Garlic & Lime, and Moroccan Spiced Lemon. ...
  • Kraft. ...
  • Trader Joe's. ...
  • Follow Your Heart. ...
  • Newman's Own. ...
  • Organicville. ...
  • Annie's. ...
  • Daiya.

What Kraft salad dressings are gluten-free? ›

Kraft Classic Ranch dressing is gluten-free. While it is not certified gluten-free, the manufacturer does make a gluten-free claim on the packaging and there are no other indicators that this product contains gluten.

How can I thicken my dressing without oil? ›

One of the easiest ways to thicken homemade salad dressing is by adding a thickener such as cornstarch, arrowroot, or tapioca. Using cornstarch as a thickener involves making a slurry of 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of cool water, mixing it well, and adding it to the other salad dressing ingredients.

What is a substitute for vegetable oil in dressing? ›

Canola, corn, grapeseed, safflower and sunflower oils

They're the most seamless substitutes for vegetable oil, which is also considered to be a neutral oil. Subbing any of these plant-based oils with vegetable oil is the closest you'll get to the original ask.

Is zesty italian salad dressing gluten-free? ›

Kraft Zesty Italian dressing is gluten-free.

Is Olive Garden's Italian Dressing gluten-free? ›

Is your Italian salad dressing gluten-free? There are no gluten-containing ingredients in the dressing. However, gluten is present in the facility where the dressing is made. Please be sure to tell your server if you are avoiding gluten when you order your salad so that we can leave off the croutons.

Does Hidden Valley Ranch have gluten? ›

Want all the tangy Original Ranch® flavor you love, with the added creamy richness of old-fashioned buttermilk? Of course you do, and we're here for it. This just might be your favorite chip dip, burger topper and veggie dressing ever, and it's gluten-free.

Is Newman's own oil and vinegar dressing vegan? ›

What Newman's Own products are vegan? The following products are considered to be vegan and free of animal sourced ingredients: Classic Oil & Vinegar Dressing. Light Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing.

Why is Olive Garden Italian dressing not vegan? ›

Is Olive Garden dressing vegan? The famous house salad comes with tomatoes, olives, onions, and pepperoncini, though the default dressing from the menu has both eggs and romano cheese. Instead, grab the olive oil and vinegar for your salad.

Why is ranch dressing not vegan? ›

If you are a Ranch Dressing fan like I am you'll know that most of the store-bought options are not vegan or oil-free. The base of most ranch recipes will be mayo or sour cream, both of which include dairy or eggs.

Is there a gluten-free salad dressing? ›

Brianna's Salad Dressings

Upscale dressing manufacturer Brianna's makes 19 different salad dressings, 17 of which are considered gluten-free (to less than 20 parts per million, the legal standard).

Does Miracle Whip have gluten in it? ›

Kraft has a clear policy where they will clearly state on their label if a product contains a gluten ingredient. Miracle Whip does not have any of those ingredients, so it is gluten-free but because it is not certified gluten-free we cannot give it a perfect 10/10 score.

Does ketchup have gluten in it? ›

Ketchup doesn't contain wheat, barley, or rye. As such, it's a naturally gluten-free product. However, some brands may use wheat-derived vinegar or produce their ketchup in a facility that manufactures other gluten-containing foods, which may contaminate it.

Is oil necessary in salad dressing? ›

Oil adds richness and body to dressings, enhancing the flavors of other ingredients like vinegar, herbs, and spices. It also creates a smooth and glossy texture that coats the salad greens and other ingredients, making them more flavorful and enjoyable to eat.

Do you have to put oil in salad dressing? ›

1. Citrus-based dressings: Replace oil with citrus juices like lemon, lime, or orange as the base of your dressing. These provide acidity, flavor, and moisture to your salad. You can mix citrus juices with a bit of vinegar (such as balsamic or apple cider vinegar), mustard, herbs, and spices to enhance the flavor.

What is the healthiest neutral oil for salad dressing? ›

Oils rich in monounsaturated fat, phytochemicals, and alpha linolenic acid are best for salad dressings. These include extra virgin olive, canola, peanut, flaxseed, walnut, hemp, avocado, and almond oils. I would also add grapeseed oil to my recommended list because it's such a good source of vitamin E.

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. It cooks similarly to vegetable oil.

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