Indulge in the rich, pungent flavor of blue cheese without the dairy with this simple, plant-based blue cheese dressing. This recipe captures the distinct taste and texture of traditional blue cheese dressing using wholesome, vegan-friendly ingredients, making it the perfect topping for salads, veggie platters, or even as a dip for your favorite snacks.
What Makes This Vegan Blue Cheese Dressing So Special?
This isn’t your average vegan dressing. We’ve carefully selected ingredients to perfectly mimic the complex flavor profile of blue cheese.
Vegan Blue Cheese Dressing Ingredients
The base of our dressing is creamy cashews, which provide a wonderful richness and body. Nutritional yeast lends that cheesy, savory depth, while a touch of miso paste adds a subtle umami punch. A squeeze of lemon juice brightens up the flavors, and a dash of apple cider vinegar contributes to the signature tanginess of blue cheese.
Crafting the Perfect Vegan Blue Cheese Crumble
What truly sets this recipe apart is the homemade vegan blue cheese crumble.
Vegan Blue Cheese Crumble Ingredients
This magical addition is made with crumbled tofu, which takes on a fantastically cheesy flavor after being baked to perfection. A blend of nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, and a touch of black salt—which imparts a slightly eggy flavor reminiscent of blue cheese—completes the authentic taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the dressing:
- 1 cup raw cashews, soaked in hot water for at least 30 minutes
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon white miso paste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
For the vegan blue cheese crumble:
- 1/2 block (about 7 ounces) firm tofu, pressed and crumbled
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black salt
Let’s Get Blending: Making the Vegan Blue Cheese Dressing
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Start with the cashews: Drain and rinse the soaked cashews.
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Blend it up: Combine the cashews, water, nutritional yeast, miso paste, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a high-speed blender.
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Blend until smooth: Process the mixture until it’s completely smooth and creamy. This might take a few minutes, depending on the strength of your blender. Scrape down the sides as needed to ensure everything is well combined.
“Getting that perfectly smooth texture is key for a luxurious blue cheese dressing.” – Chef Amelia Green, Plant-Based Chef
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Taste and adjust: Give the dressing a taste and adjust the seasonings to your preference. You might want to add more salt, pepper, lemon juice, or apple cider vinegar depending on your taste buds.
Blending Vegan Blue Cheese Dressing
Time to Crumble: Preparing the Vegan Blue Cheese
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine the crumble ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the crumbled tofu, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, and black salt. Toss everything together until the tofu is evenly coated.
- Bake the crumble: Spread the tofu mixture in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crumble is golden brown and slightly crispy.
Baking Vegan Blue Cheese Crumble
Putting It All Together:
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Cool the crumble: Let the vegan blue cheese crumble cool slightly before adding it to the dressing.
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Combine and serve: Once cooled, add the desired amount of crumble to the dressing. You can add all of it for a super cheesy flavor or start with less and add more to your liking.
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Chill for best flavor: For the best flavor, let the dressing chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
“The longer you let this dressing sit, the more flavorful it becomes!” – Chef Amelia Green, Plant-Based Chef
Vegan Blue Cheese Dressing: FAQ
Can I make this dressing ahead of time?
Absolutely! This dressing actually tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had a chance to meld. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
What can I use this dressing on?
This vegan blue cheese dressing is incredibly versatile. Drizzle it over salads, use it as a dip for raw vegetables, or serve it with your favorite vegan wings. It also adds a delicious creamy touch to baked potatoes, burgers, and sandwiches.
Can I freeze this dressing?
While you can freeze this dressing, it’s not recommended. The texture of the cashews might change slightly upon thawing, which can affect the overall consistency.
What can I substitute for cashews?
If you’re allergic to cashews or don’t have any on hand, you can try using sunflower seeds or blanched almonds as a substitute. Just be sure to soak them in hot water for at least an hour before blending to soften them up.
Can I adjust the tanginess?
Absolutely! If you prefer a tangier dressing, feel free to add an extra teaspoon of apple cider vinegar or even a squeeze of lemon juice.
What kind of tofu is best for the crumble?
For the best texture, use extra-firm tofu. This will ensure that your crumble bakes up nice and crispy.
What can I serve this dressing with besides salad?
This dressing is fantastic with delicious vegan snacks to make! Try it with vegan buffalo cauliflower wings, sweet potato fries, or even as a dip for your favorite crackers and veggies.
This vegan blue cheese dressing is a true testament to the fact that you can enjoy all your favorite flavors without compromising your plant-based lifestyle. Enjoy!
