A blog reader recently challenged me to create a nut-free, creamy salad dressing. You know I love a good challenge and I’m always happy when you give me recipe ideas and let me know what you are struggling with. It’s not always easy cranking out an endless supple of recipes, so I always appreciate any inspiration and guidance I can get. I first asked Julie if she has tried my beloved (nut-free) Lemon tahini dressing. The only problem is, she is allergic to sesame seeds as well, so that dressing was not an option.
I was totally stumped for ideas, until I spotted my bag of hulled hemp seeds…
Yes, hemp seeds turn wonderfully creamy when blended. This could just work!
Of course, hulled hemp seeds (also known as hemp hearts) are nutritional powerhouses. Packed with omega 3 fatty acids, many say hemp seeds contain the perfect omega 3-6-9 fatty acid balance for the body, reducing inflammation and giving the skin, hair, and nails a gorgeous glow. They are also high in protein, and a complete protein to boot. This salad dressing has roughly 2.5 grams of protein per tablespoon, so it’s an easy way to boost the protein in your salad without much effort! Who knew salad dressing could be high in protein?
Making this dressing is also a total breeze. Just toss water, hulled hemp seeds, nutritional yeast, sea salt, lemon juice, and garlic into a blender and blend away. Thanks to the creamy, healthy fats that hemp seeds provide, there’s no need for a lick of oil in this dressing. I kept the ingredients very simple, but feel free to experiment with other herbs and seasonings if you want to doctor it up.
PS- You’ll be seeing much more of this Delicata squash. It’s my absolute favourite squash and I’ve been eating it like a crazy person lately.
PPS – I put about 3 times this much salad dressing on after photographing. Salads just don’t photograph very well with lots of dressing, but that’s how I usually eat them! Now you know. :)
Featuring all new, protein-packed salads, hearty toppers, flavour boosters, and dressings you'll want to drink, my new cookbook will transform the way you think about salads. Oh, and be sure to flip to the back for a surprise dessert chapter!
Ultra Creamy Hemp Salad Dressing + Salad Recipe
Yield
3/4 cup + 2 tbsp dressing
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
I kept the flavours in this dressing simple to allow the earthy, distinct flavour of hemp seed to take centre stage. This dressing reminds me of a cross between a mild Caesar dressing and a Ranch dressing, although not quite as strong. Feel free to play around with the ingredients. I'm sure fresh herbs or other seasonings would be nice to experiment with too. The dressing appears quite thin after blending, but rest assured it thickens up quite a bit once chilled in the fridge. I've also included the directions for making this salad too. It was a great combo of flavours! The Delicata squash is not to be left out.
Ingredients
For the dressing:
- 1/2 cup hulled hemp seeds
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, peeled
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt, to taste
for the salad:
- lettuce
- tomato
- shredded carrot
- roasted delicata squash
- petita/pumpkin seeds, for garnish
- hulled hemp seeds, for garnish
Directions
- For the dressing: Add all dressing ingredients into a high-speed blender and blend on high until smooth. Adjust salt to taste. The dressing will appear thin at first, but it thickens up after being chilled in the fridge.
- For roasting the squash: Preheat oven to 375F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. There is no need to peel the skin off the squash, as it's thin and edible. Slice the stem off the squash and then slice in half, lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and discard (or clean and roast for the salad). Slice each half into small, 1/2-inch half-moons. Lay flat on baking sheet and drizzle with oil (I love using coconut oil), salt, and pepper. Toss to coat both sides. Roast for around 25-35 minutes, flipping squash half way through baking. Squash should be fork tender and lightly golden when ready.
- To assemble the salad: Add a generous amount of lettuce into a large bowl or platter. Top with squash, shredded carrot, tomato, pepita seeds, hulled hemp seeds, and the dressing.
- Dressing will keep in an air-tight container in the fridge for at least a week, probably longer.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
I hope you enjoy this nut-free take on a creamy salad dressing! As always, let me know what you think if you try it out.
Salads just don’t photograph very well with lots of dressing – oh you are so right about that! Seriously a tiny tiny bit of oil or dressing is all they need. Any more, they look like a gloppy mess. But like you, I prefer to eat them when they are the later :)
And I love roasting delicata as opposed to say butternut b.c you don’t have to peel them and they’re softer and less of a hazard to hack into! Pinned!
I am SO with you on the squash, I love it!! Also, who would have thought, hemp seeds!?
Wow! That looks face-plantable. :) I’ve eaten that squash before and LOVED it, but never knew the name or what it actually looked like in the store so thank you for sharing and enlightening me!! Since I’m new-ish to the vegan way of life, I haven’t yet experimented with hemp. I’ll have to get off my duff and get some next time I’m at the store. :)
this looks so delish! i’ve been using nutritional yeast more & i really like the flavor that it gives certain things. i bet it works well in this dressing!
This dressing sounds divine, I can’t wait to try it! I must also know where you got that gorgeous plate!
Thanks, it’s from Anthro :)
Scrummy! I’m fairly new to hemp seeds but love them. They’re great for blending into smoothies and sauces as they’re so creamy but don’t need soaking like cashews.
What is it about roasted squash that is so darn good. I think I could probably eat a whole squash in one sitting like that!
I love delicata and hemp seed dressing. So creamy and delicious :)
This looks sooo good! Now to find hemp seeds in New Zealand… They’re not allowed to be sold as a food for humans here, and so people sell them as “Food Grade Animal Feed” which cracks me up slightly, but also makes me a bit concerned about the restrictions we have… Anyway, looks like a killer recipe!
Hemp seed dressing– love! I can’t wait to try it! I have a client with many food allergies (but she can have hemp seeds) and I’ve been looking for a creamy, non-soy dressing.
Thanks Angela!!
I had no idea hemp seeds could be made into a creamy dressing – this looks delicious! I just tried delicata squash for the first time last year and I really liked it too. The again, I haven’t met a winter squash I don’t like. ;)
mmm sounds good! I would have thought maybe a bean or an avocado base? hemp seeds are a great idea though. And I’ve never had delicata squash either! I don’t know why…I should definitely get some!
Looks yum! I love the salad recipes you have been posting lately :)
I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your site and everything on it! I can’t get enough of your recipes and give your website to everyone! Everything I’ve tried is EXCELLENT, easy and so nourishing. Your story, approach, authenticity and variety is amazing. And as a fellow photography enthusiast, your pictures of food are to die for! It’s such a joy to see what you come up with and how you share it. I’m in the business of having people feel Sextacular (R) being their sexiest selves – right now, exactly as they are in a healthy way. Food is a big topic and I give your site to everyone! Thank you for what you do! Spectacular!!!!
Do you think the dressing would turn out without a high speed blender? Would lve a Vitamix one day, but it’s not in the cards anytime soon.
+1!!!…NO Vitamix or Blentec budget capabilities at present…Could one possibly use a stick immersion blender…or a food processor?…LOVE my hemp seeds!!!
I soaked the 1/2 cup hemp seeds in 1/2 cup boiling water first- then it eventually blended creamy in my regular blender.
Thanks so much for this! I have a bag of hemp seeds that needs using up, so this is the perfect recipe! The dressing would also spice up my work lunches :)
Also thanks to the commenter who recommended that hemp seeds be stored in the fridge!
Sounds amazing – can’t wait to try it. I’d been having some problems with salad dressings because of how many of the ingredients I can’t have. Gotta get some of the ingredients that go in this first – Amazon here I come – but it sounds like it is exactly what I’m looking for!
I never get tired of hemp dressings and this one looks simply delicious, thanks!
Oh my – that is genuis! Must try :-)
Hi Angela – thank you so much for this dressing idea. I can’t wait to try it! How about another challenge? I had a sunflower seed hemp crusted pizza (no dairy, of course!) at a raw foods cafe’ in Austin, TX not too long ago. I was skeptical, but it was so good! Any ideas on an at home version? Thanks again – your recipes are the best!
I hadn’t ever tried a delicata squash but after seeing this post, I snagged one at the farmers market! I had this for dinner today and it was so yummy! Not to mention how easy delicata is to prep vs butternut (which I love but HATE cutting and peeling…i swear I’m gonna lose a finger one of these days…)