Easy Creamy Dressing Recipe
This easy creamy dressing is vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and made with pumpkin seeds, providing about 25% of daily magnesium per serving.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 107kcal
Equipment
- Blender or immersion blender
Ingredients
- ½ cup raw pumpkin seeds or roasted (about 70 grams)
- ⅓ cup water (80ml) plus more as needed
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Zest of 1 medium lemon
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 teaspoon harissa seasoning or paste, or chipotle powder (optional)
- 1 teaspoon stone-ground mustard or Dijon
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup or date syrup, plus more to taste
- 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil optional (omit for oil-free)
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
Instructions
- Combine: Add the pumpkin seeds, water, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, harissa, mustard, maple syrup, optional olive oil, and salt to a high-speed blender, or use an immersion blender in a tall, narrow container. See recipe notes.
- Blend until completely smooth and creamy. Add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until creamy but easily pourable. Keep the dressing slightly thinner than your desired consistency because it will thicken as it sits. Taste and adjust the lemon juice, salt, sweetness, and harissa as desired.
Video
Notes
Blender note: If you're not using a high-speed blender, soak the pumpkin seeds in warm-to-hot water for 15 to 20 minutes, then drain before blending. An immersion blender also works well when used in a tall, narrow container.
Dressing Consistency: Pumpkin seeds continue to absorb liquid after blending. The dressing should pour easily.
Olive oil (optional): Extra-virgin olive oil adds richness and creates an even silkier, smoother dressing. For an oil-free version, simply omit it—the pumpkin seeds contain naturally occurring fats and still create a deliciously creamy texture.
Nutrition: One serving provides approximately 25% of the Daily Value for magnesium, 8% for iron, and 13% for zinc.
Nutrition
Calories: 107kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Sodium: 16mg | Potassium: 183mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 2mg
