Almond butter dressing is a creamy, nutty, and tangy salad dressing that takes salads and vegetables to the next level. Made with just a few simple ingredients like almond butter, vinegar, garlic, and sweetener, this easy homemade dressing can be whisked together in just 5 minutes.

It's versatile, customizable, and far healthier than store-bought dressings. Keep reading to learn how to make delicious almond butter dressing and get over a dozen serving ideas to take this recipe beyond salads.

Why Make Homemade Almond Butter Dressing?

Store-bought salad dressings are often loaded with preservatives, thickeners, unnecessary sugars, and poor-quality oils. Making your own allows you to control exactly what goes in it. Homemade almond butter dressing has:

Real, pronounced almond flavor from using almond butter rather than "natural flavors"
High-quality ingredients you recognize
No preservatives or additives
Lower sugar than many store-bought brands
The ability to adjust ingredients to your tastes

It also takes just minutes to prepare and lasts for up to a week refrigerated. Having a batch of this easy homemade dressing on hand makes it so simple to add flavor and nutrition to salads and veggies any night of the week.

How to Make Almond Butter Dressing

With a handful of pantry staples, you can put together almond butter dressing in 5 minutes flat.

Ingredients Needed:

Almond butter - Use plain roasted almond butter with no added oils or sugary flavorings.
Vinegar - Apple cider, balsamic, red wine, rice wine, or white wine vinegar all work well. Balsamic adds sweetness.
Garlic - Use 1 small clove minced or 1/4 tsp garlic powder. Omit if sensitive.
Sweetener - Maple syrup, honey, agave, or date paste. Add to taste.
Salt and pepper - For flavor.
Water - Thins dressing to desired consistency. Start with 2 Tbsp.
Extra flavors (optional) - Lemon juice, ginger, mustard, soy sauce, herbs.

Easy Instructions:

In a bowl or jar, combine almond butter, vinegar, garlic, sweetener and any extra flavors.
Add 2 Tbsp water and whisk vigorously until emulsified and creamy. Add more water to thin if needed.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.

That's it! For more tang, add more vinegar. For more sweetness, add more maple syrup or honey. Customize it to your tastes.

Serving Suggestions

Almond butter dressing is endlessly versatile:

As a Salad Dressing

Tossed green salads
Kale salads
Chopped veggie salads
Fruit and spinach salads
slaw

Its creaminess helps tenderize and soften sturdier greens like kale. The nutty flavor pairs perfectly with fruit like apples, pears, cranberries, citrus, and melons.

As a Vegetable Dip

Raw carrots, celery, jicama, bell peppers, broccoli
Blanched asparagus or green beans

It makes raw and blanched veggies irresistible. The dip adds protein and healthy fats to make a balanced snack.

As a Sauce or Drizzle

Baked or roasted veggies - cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, broccoli, squash
Beside simply prepared proteins - chicken, fish, tofu
Grain bowls
Baked potatoes

It adds a pop of flavor when veggies or proteins are simply prepared. Bake, roast, or sauté plain veggies or proteins, then drizzle with the dressing for an easy weeknight dinner.

As a Marinade

For chicken, beef, tempeh, or tofu

The acidity helps tenderize meats. Its flavor gets absorbed deep into the marinated food.

As a Sandwich or Wrap Spread

In place of mayo or mustard
With sliced turkey, chicken, roast beef, tempeh, or falafel

It adds creaminess and a delicious nutty tang.

The options are endless! This one dressing can transform salads, veggies, proteins, and more.

Flavor Variations

The basic almond butter dressing recipe is endlessly adaptable to suit your tastes:

Maple Balsamic Almond Butter Dressing - Use balsamic vinegar and maple syrup as the sweetener.
Thai Almond Butter Dressing - Add lime juice, ginger, soy sauce, chili garlic sauce, and cilantro.
Honey Lemon Almond Butter Dressing - Use lemon juice and honey for brightness.
Curry Almond Butter Dressing - Add curry powder, coriander, and hint of honey.
Ranch Almond Butter Dressing - Use apple cider vinegar. Add dried dill, onion powder, and lemon juice.
Italian Almond Butter Dressing - Use red wine vinegar and add oregano, basil, thyme, and crushed red pepper.

You can make this one simple recipe dozens of ways by varying the ingredients. Make a double batch and store flavors separately for easy salad dressing all week long.

Perfect Pairings

Think beyond using almond butter dressing just on salads. These flavor combinations are delicious:

Kale, carrots, red cabbage slaw with thai almond dressing
Chopped veggie salad with Italian almond dressing
Roasted sweet potato and brussels sprouts with maple balsamic almond dressing
Baked tempeh over quinoa with curry almond dressing
Strawberries, spinach, walnuts with lemon honey almond dressing
Chicken baked potato with ranch almond dressing

Match the dressing variation to the main ingredients for sensational salads and sides.

Storage Tips

To store, transfer leftover almond butter dressing to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5-7 days. The dressing may firm up when chilled. Before using, let it sit at room temperature to soften slightly, then whisk in a tablespoon or two of water to thin it back out.

For longer storage, this dressing can be frozen for 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before using and thin with water as needed.

More Plant-Based Dressing Ideas

If you love homemade dressings, try these easy recipes:

With a nut butter dressing and a couple of other homemade dressings in your arsenal, you'll always have a quick flavor for salads and veggies on hand.

FAQ

Can I use sunflower seed butter instead of almond butter?

Yes, sunflower seed butter is a great almond butter substitute if you cannot have almonds. The dressing may end up slightly thinner, so you may need to use less water.

What kind of vinegar is best for this recipe?

Apple cider, balsamic, red wine, rice wine, and white wine vinegars all work well. Balsamic vinegar adds a nice sweetness.

Is almond butter dressing gluten-free and vegan?

Yes, when made with gluten-free and vegan ingredients, this dressing is naturally gluten-free and vegan.

How long does homemade almond butter dressing last?

It will be kept refrigerated in an airtight container for 5-7 days. For longer storage, it can be frozen for 2-3 months.

Can I use olive oil instead of water to thin the dressing?

Yes, olive oil can be used instead of water. But using water allows you to make this dressing completely oil-free for a healthier option.

How can I tweak this recipe to my tastes?

Feel free to adjust the amounts of vinegar and sweetener to suit your preferences. You can also add different seasonings like fresh herbs, ginger, mustard, citrus juice, soy sauce, garlic, and spices.

Conclusion

Homemade almond butter dressing is easy to whip up and endlessly adaptable. With just almond butter, vinegar, garlic, sweetener, and seasonings, you can create a tasty dressing in minutes to use all week long on salads, vegetables, proteins, and more.

Make one large batch then tweak the flavors over time for delicious variety. With just a little planning, you'll never have to settle for bottled dressing again.