Creamy Herbed Sunflower Seed Dressing or Dip (dairy-free + nut-free + paleo)

Ali Segersten Dec 09, 2011 16 comments
Creamy Herbed Sunflower Seed Dressing or Dip (dairy-free, paleo)

I have received quite a few comments and requests about nut-free recipes. Indeed, we do eat a lot of nuts, but we enjoy seeds quite often as well. This creamy ranch-style dressing is perfect to top any type of green salad, be it a crispy romaine salad or a picnic potato salad. If you use less water the dressing is a creamy dip for carrot and celery sticks. I also love that this dressing is raw, made from soaked raw sunflower seeds. Before you go to bed at night just place the seeds in a bowl and cover with filtered water. If I am making this dressing for dinner then I would begin soaking the seeds around lunchtime.

I use lemon juice and garlic in this dressing, which for some breastfeeding moms might be problematic (if your baby is very young). Our baby just turned 3 months and can tolerate just about anything I eat now. Early on I could not eat lemon juice or raw garlic. So if you are making this recipe for a new mom or are breastfeeding yourself (or cannot tolerate citrus), I would replace the lemon with about 3 tablespoons of raw apple cider vinegar or coconut vinegar and omit the garlic.

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About the Author

Ali Segersten

Alissa Segersten holds a Bachelor's of Science in Nutrition from Bastyr University and a Master’s of Science in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine from the University of Western States. She is a Functional Nutritionist, the mother of five children, a whole foods cooking instructor, professional recipe developer, and cookbook author. She is passionate about helping others find a diet that will truly nourish them. Alissa is the author of two very popular gluten-free, whole foods cookbooks and guidebooks: The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook and Nourishing Meals. She is also the co-author of The Elimination Diet book. Alissa is the founder and owner of Nourishing Meals®.

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Comments

How long would this last in the fridge?

I know this will taste good because I make one quite similar (which hasn't made the blog yet)!

I must try your herb choice though, it sounds wonderful!

I just made this and dipped a carrot in it to try and YUMMY! Can't wait for it to chill so I can try it on a salad! I bet you could even use it "thick" as a sandwich spread.

This dressing is absolutely amazing. My husband is picky (actually he only likes store bought ranch- yuck), and he was very impressed by this recipe. Thank you so very much.

MMM - this looks delicious! I absolutely love using nuts and things in dips!!!

Oh I love making my own dressings. This looks so creamy-can't wait to make it for my family!

I just made this salad and dressing last night. As usual with you recipes, it was fresh, perfectly balanced and amazing! Thanks for sharing :)

This looks lovely. I really enjoy creamy dressings, but don't make them often. This would be perfect on a salad!

aww Ali thank you.. there is nothing better then homemade dressings. We love sunflower seeds, I never thought to make salad dressing with them. I will be making it for tomorrow evenings dining. Its such a joy to receive such scrumptious things in my emails. Thank you thank you...:)

That sounds delicious!!! Will it keep in the fridge for a while??
Thanks!

YUM! Going to go soak the seeds NOW! Thank you!!

Do you think this would work using sunflower butter instead of soaking and blending my own sunflower seeds? I often do dressings or sauces with tahini or peanut butter, so it sounds similar. Wondering if the flavor would be similar enough since yours sounds delicious!

Sounds Awesome! Dang! Wish I had a lemon...and a car!! = (

Thanks Ali! I really appreciate the nut, dairy, citrus free recipes!!! Can't wait to make it :)

Oh, thank you for this Ali! It is so hard to find dressing without xanthan gum so making my own will be lovely.

I wanted you to know, my mom and I used your cookbook to make our first gluten-free vegan Thanksgiving feast. It was so colorful, fresh, and filling that even our meat-and-potatoes men enjoyed it!

You can see photos by clicking on my blogger icon. :) :)

Lovely dressing. I am so excited to make this today. I will serve it with the dinner salad tonight!!
Thanks for your wonderful blog--it is truly amazing and so helpful.
Peace and Raw Health,
Elizabeth

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