Original article published 12/2/22
A Creamy & Vegan Dressing or Dip!
This Creamy and Vegan Apple Walnut Dressing can be used as a salad dressing for salad recipes, a protein marinade, or even as a dip for crackers and veggies. Recently, I paired it with my Kale Apple Walnut Salad.
The inspiration for this dressing came from my desire to pair apples in a salad for Thanksgiving and a continuing education event from fall, 2022 through the Culinary Nutrition Collaborative. Kristy Del Coro’s Apple Cider Walnut Vinaigrette was so good, that it inspired me to create a similar dressing to pair with my Kale Apple Walnut Salad.
Below you will find more information about the ingredients, how I make this dressing, how to use this dressing beyond just salads, and some nutrition information about Apple Cider Vinegar, a key ingredient in this dressing.
The Ingredients in Creamy Vegan Apple Walnut Dressing
Walnuts: This is how I keep this dressing creamy yet mayo-free! Blending nuts into a salad dressing is a delightful way to create a creamy and 100% plant-based dressing.
Don’t have Walnuts or a blender to turn freshly roasted Walnuts into a creamy dressing? No problem, you can use tahini or creamy almond butter instead. You will love either of these alternatives for your massaged kale recipes.
Walnut oil: Walnut oil has a distinctively nutty flavor. Walnut oil is extracted from walnut meats and can be rather pricey. Therefore, you can use a neutral-tasting oil instead, such as avocado or canola. However, Walnut oil is a great way to keep that Walnut flavor and keep the “healthy Walnut fat” theme for this dressing.
Apple Cider: You could use apple juice or apple cider in this dressing. This apple addition gives the dressing a lovely flavor and some subtle sweetness.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV): ACV This pairs so well with the apple cider and gives the dressing a lovely tang. Plus, ACV has health benefits. Two health benefits include improved cholesterol levels and blood sugar management.
My favorite ACV brand is Bragg’s Raw Unfiltered Organic Apple Cider Vinegar. More about ACV is below, in the Sharper Nutrition Fix section of this article.
Maple Syrup: You can omit this ingredient or swap it for some local honey (note, honey is not vegan). I like to use it to add a touch more sweetness and flavor complexity to the dressing.
Other Seasonings: Other flavors I include are red pepper flakes, cracked black pepper, and kosher salt.
How to Make this Creamy and Vegan Apple Walnut Dressing
Most salad dressings are super simple to make. This dressing is no exception all you need is a blender.
- First, add all your ingredients to your blender.
- Next, blend the ingredients until everything is evenly incorporated.
- Last, give your dressing a taste and adjust flavors as needed. (i.e. add more sweetness, salt, pepper, etc.)
How to use this Creamy Vegan Apple Walnut Dressing
This dressing is so good that I do not want you to limit it to the suggestions I have listed below. If you have other uses for this dressing I would love to hear about them in the comments!
Salad: This dressing is featured in another recipe listed on The Addy Bean, in my Apple Walnut Salad. Some other salad ideas include a cabbage and kale apple slaw, butternut squash salad, spinach, walnuts, hard-boiled eggs, and red onion salad (not vegan).
Dip: This creamy dressing is so thick that it makes for a great dip. Try creating a board with roasted walnuts, sliced apples, celery, carrots, and some crackers, then feature this dip as an accompaniment. Some non-vegan options for your board include prosciutto and cheese.
Another idea for dippers includes roasted potatoes and root vegetables.
Spread: This Apple Walnut Dressing is marvelous as a spread for sandwiches and wraps. Perhaps, try the combination of deli-sliced tofurkey, thinly sliced apples, spinach, and red onion. For a non-vegan alternative, try swapping the tofurkey for roast turkey.
Additionally, this spread wrapped up in a tortilla complimented with massaged kale, beans, and whatever veggies you have lying around the house makes for a delightful veggie wrap.
Marinade/Sauce: I have used this dressing in marinade for tempeh. Other non-vegan marinade options include an apple walnut marinade for roasted chicken or a sauce slathered over some salmon before baking. Another sauce idea is over-roasted pork.
Sharper Nutrition Fix: Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
ACV is made from fermented apple cider and has a sweet apple flavor.
Origins: Apples originated in central Asia and were brought to the Americas by colonists. ACV is made from apples, also used to make apple juice, apple sauce, and cider. It quickly became popular among early American settlers. This is because the fermented ACV could be used year-round as a natural medicine, condiment, and cleaning solution. The word Vinegar comes from the Latin word for “sour wine”.
How to Use: ACV can be incorporated in salad dressings, marinades, sauces, pickling, and even beverages!
ACV in beverages?! Yes, ever heard of drinking vinegar? Drinking vinegar is also known as a shrub and we have been drinking shrubs for centuries. You can add a few tablespoons to water or sparkling water.
Nutrition: As mentioned earlier, research has shown ACV aids in improving cholesterol levels and in blood sugar management. ACV also contains some Vitamin B complex and Vitamin C. Unpasteurized AVC with a loving mother in the bottle includes thriving probiotics that can aid in gut health.
Like this Recipe? Try these!
Kale Apple Walnut Salad – the perfect pairing for this dressing
Cilantro Cashew Dressing – another fantastic creamy vegan dressing or dip
Roasted Veggies – Sweet Potatoes, Apples, and Brussel Sprouts – another great apple recipe
Creamy Vegan Apple Walnut Dressing
Equipment
- high powered blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup toasted walnuts
- 1/4 cup walnut oil or other oil such as olive or avocado
- 1/3 cup apple cider
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp maple syrup optional
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes optional
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender. Blend until combined and creamy.
Notes
Nutrition
Hi, I'm Sarah Harper. I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who loves to cook, eat, and talk about food! Here at The Addy Bean, you'll discover an array of flexitarian recipes. My mission is to inspire and encourage others to eat and explore the world of plant-based foods!
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