If you love tacos and salads, you’re going to love this vegan keto taco salad dressing. It’s creamy, tangy, spicy, and delicious. And it’s super easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. Plus, it’s low-carb, gluten-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free. Perfect for anyone following a vegan keto diet or just looking for a healthy and tasty dressing.
In this article, we’ll show you how to make vegan keto taco salad dressing in six easy steps. We’ll also share some tips and variations for customizing the dressing to your liking. And we’ll answer some frequently asked questions about vegan keto diet and taco salad. So let’s get started!
Ingredients for vegan keto taco salad dressing
To make this vegan keto taco salad dressing, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Cashew cream or vegan yogurt and mayo: These are the base of the dressing that provide creaminess and fat. Cashew cream is made by blending soaked cashews with water until smooth. You can also use store-bought or homemade vegan yogurt and mayo instead.
- Salsa, lime juice, and taco seasoning: These are the flavor components of the dressing that give it a zesty and savory taste. Salsa is a tomato-based sauce with onions, peppers, and spices. Lime juice adds a refreshing citrus touch. And taco seasoning is a blend of spices such as cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and paprika.
- Salt and pepper: These are the seasonings that enhance the flavor of the dressing. You can adjust them to your taste preference.
- Optional: fresh cilantro, jalapeno slices, or nutritional yeast: These are some optional additions that can add more zing and nutrition to the dressing. Fresh cilantro is a herb that has a bright and fresh flavor. Jalapeno slices are spicy peppers that add some heat. And nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast that has a cheesy and nutty flavor. It also contains protein, fiber, and B vitamins.
How to make vegan keto taco salad dressing
Here are the steps to make vegan keto taco salad dressing:
- Step 1: Soak cashews overnight or boil them for 10 minutes until soft, then drain and blend with water until smooth and creamy. This is how you make cashew cream, which is the base of the dressing. You can skip this step if you’re using vegan yogurt and mayo instead.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together salsa, lime juice, taco seasoning, salt, and pepper. This is how you make the flavor mixture for the dressing. You can use store-bought or homemade salsa and taco seasoning for this step.
- Step 3: Add the cashew cream or vegan yogurt and mayo to the salsa mixture and stir well to combine. This is how you make the vegan keto taco salad dressing. You can adjust the consistency and taste of the dressing by adding more water, salt, pepper, or seasonings as needed.
- Step 4: Transfer the dressing to a jar or container and refrigerate until ready to use or serve immediately. This is how you store and serve the dressing. You can keep it in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for up to a month.
- Step 5: Enjoy your vegan keto taco salad dressing with your favorite salad ingredients or as a dip for veggies or chips. This is how you use the dressing in different ways. You can make a vegan keto taco salad with lettuce, avocado, black beans, corn, tomato, onion, bell pepper, cheese, and tortilla strips or chips. Or you can use it as a dip for celery, carrots, cucumber, broccoli, cauliflower, or zucchini.
- Step 6: Share your feedback or questions in the comments section below. We’d love to hear from you!
Tips and variations for vegan keto taco salad dressing
Here are some tips and variations for vegan keto taco salad dressing:
- How to store and use leftover dressing: You can store leftover dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for up to a month. To use frozen dressing, thaw it in the fridge overnight or in the microwave for a few seconds. Stir well before using.
- How to customize the dressing with different spices, herbs, or flavors: You can customize the dressing by adding different spices, herbs, or flavors to suit your taste buds. For example, you can add cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, chipotle powder, or hot sauce for more spice. You can add garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, coriander, or oregano for more depth. You can add fresh mint, basil, parsley, or dill for more freshness. You can add lemon juice, orange juice, apple cider vinegar, or balsamic vinegar for more tanginess. You can add maple syrup, agave nectar, stevia, or monk fruit for more sweetness.
- How to make it nut-free, soy-free, or oil-free if needed: You can make this dressing nut-free by using sunflower seeds instead of cashews for the cream base. You can make it soy-free by using coconut yogurt instead of soy yogurt for the cream base. You can make it oil-free by using oil-free vegan mayo instead of regular vegan mayo for the cream base.
- How to use it in other dishes besides taco salad: You can use this dressing in other dishes besides taco salad for more variety and fun. For example, you can use it as a sauce for wraps, bowls, or burritos with rice, beans, veggies, and cheese. You can use it as a marinade for tofu, tempeh, seitan, or mushrooms before baking or grilling them. You can use it as a dressing for coleslaw, potato salad, pasta salad, or quinoa salad with chopped veggies and nuts.
Conclusion
Vegan keto taco salad dressing is a delicious and easy way to enjoy a healthy and satisfying salad. Made with simple ingredients found in any grocery store or pantry, it’s low-carb, gluten-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free. This versatile dressing can be used in various ways – as a salad topper, dip, sauce, or marinade. You can also make it ahead of time and store it in the fridge or freezer for later use. One of the best parts is that it’s endlessly customizable to suit your preferences and needs. Share this tasty dressing with friends and family to impress them with your culinary skills.
If you’re looking for a vegan keto taco salad dressing recipe that’s creamy, tangy, spicy, and delicious, look no further than this one. It’s easy to make, easy to use, and easy to love. Give it a try and let us know what you think in the comments below. We hope you enjoy this vegan keto taco salad dressing as much as we do!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about vegan keto diet and taco salad:
What is vegan keto diet and how does it work?
A vegan keto diet is a plant-based version of the ketogenic diet, which is a low-carb, high-fat, moderate-protein eating plan. The goal of a vegan keto diet is to induce ketosis, a metabolic state where your body burns fat instead of glucose for energy. To achieve this, you need to limit your net carbs (total carbs minus fiber) to about 20-50 grams per day, while increasing your intake of healthy fats and plant-based proteins. You also need to avoid animal products, grains, legumes, sugar, and processed foods.
What are some good ingredients for a vegan keto taco salad?
Some good ingredients for a vegan keto taco salad are lettuce, avocado, black beans, corn, tomato, onion, bell pepper, cheese, tortilla strips or chips, and vegan keto taco salad dressing. You can also add other veggies, nuts, seeds, or vegan meat alternatives as you like. Just make sure to check the carb count and portion size of each ingredient to stay within your macros.
Can I make this dressing ahead of time and how long does it last?
Yes, you can make this dressing ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for up to a month. To use frozen dressing, thaw it in the fridge overnight or in the microwave for a few seconds. Stir well before using.
Can I use store-bought salsa or taco seasoning for this dressing?
Yes, you can use store-bought salsa or taco seasoning for this dressing, but be careful to check the label for added sugars or starches that might increase the carb count. You can also make your own salsa or taco seasoning with fresh or canned tomatoes, onion, garlic, jalapeno, cilantro, lime juice, salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano, and garlic powder.
What are some other dressings or sauces that are vegan keto friendly?
Some other dressings or sauces that are vegan keto friendly are ranch dressing, Caesar dressing, pesto sauce, alfredo sauce, cheese sauce, barbecue sauce, teriyaki sauce, peanut sauce, and tahini sauce. You can make them with vegan alternatives such as cashew cream, coconut cream, almond milk, nutritional yeast, soy sauce, maple syrup, etc. You can also find some recipes online or in vegan keto cookbooks.
