• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Plant Based Jess

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • 📧 SUBSCRIBE
  • Contact Me
  • Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Salads, Dressings and Bowls » Creamy Cajun Salad Dressing

    Creamy Cajun Salad Dressing

    Published: Feb 28, 2023 by Jessica

    JUMP TO RECIPE PIN SHARE

    This ultra flavorful creamy cajun salad dressing is so easy and quick to make. Includes creamy yogurt, mayo and red wine vinegar, plus flavored with garlic and cajun spice blend. Perfect for green salads, roasted vegetables, buddha bowls, potato or pasta salads or simply as a dip. 100% vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free.

    Overhead view on a small jar filled with a creamy cajun salad dressing.

    If you have a jar of cajun spices hidding in your pantry, now is the time to take it out!

    I love adding cajun spices in pasta recipes, such as this cajun orzo skillet or this creamy tofu cajun pasta, but cajun spices also make for an amazing way to easily add big flavors to creamy dressings.

    A cajun spice blend already is such a perfect combination of herbs and spices! The thyme and oregano meet with the garlic/onion powder, cayenne and paprika in an harmony of flavor. There is an amazing peppery punch with an onion-y little something and just the right amount of zesty flavor. Adding a creole-style flavoring to your meals has never been so easy!

    I especially love how this recipe takes 5 minutes to whip up, no fancy ingredients required, plus it is super versatile and can be used in so many ways.

    The cajun spice blend is the star of the recipe and will give most of the flavor to the dressing, but also, the sauce is complemented with fresh garlic, green onion and red wine vinegar. It is also a creamy based cajun vinaigrette, made by combining yogurt and mayo, which gives it a cool, silky and rich consistency. So tasty!

    Use in green salads, but also pasta or potato salads, to marinate tofu or dress chickpeas and use as a dipping sauce for raw veggies or to garnish buddha bowls. Make it ahead if you love to meal-prep, it stores so well!

    I hope you love this recipe! ❤️

    There is a jar pouring a creamy cajun salad dressing over a bowl with noodles and vegetables.

    Highlights of this recipe

    • Easy and quick recipe
    • Perfect for meal-prep
    • Healthier than store-bought
    • Very flavorful with a super creamy texture
    • Versatile recipe with many ways to serve this it
    • Can adjust flavoring to your liking and you can make it more or less spicy
    • You can swap the vegan mayo for more vegan yogurt to keep this dressing free of added oils
    • Vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free and egg-free

    Ingredients you will need

    • Vegan yogurt: I used the cashew yogurt from the brand forager, but use your favorite brand. Be careful when you pick the yogurt, make sure it is unsweetened and made without any flavoring.
    • Vegan mayonnaise: You can use store-bought mayo (like this vegan mayo from the brand Follow your heart) or make a healthier oil-free version with cashew (vegan cashew mayo). Vegan sour cream would work too.
    • Red wine vinegar: adds just enough tangy flavor for this dressing. Can also swap for white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
    • Garlic: I used one clove of fresh garlic, but feel-free to include more for an extra garlicky flavor.
    • Sweetener: helps balance out the tanginess and boost the flavor from the spices. I love maple syrup in dressing, but agave nectar or even sugar would be fine too.
    • Cajun spice blend: I love the store bought cajun spice mix from the brand Frontier Coop. It is very flavorful with nice zesty aromas and also not so spicy. You can also easily make your own mix of cajun spices by mixing a few common ingredients you probably already have. Follow this cajun spice blend recipe for inspiration!
    • Smoked paprika: optional, but it brings an extra smoky flavor to the dressing.
    • Green onion: or 1-2 tablespoon of finely diced sweet or yellow onion.
    • Salt: some cajun spice blends also includes some salt, so I recommend to add salt to taste.
    Showing are the ingredients needed to make this recipe.

    How to make cajun salad dressing

    This salad dressing takes literally 5 minutes to make! I would still recommend to make it ahead: resting time will boost the overall flavor and also chill the dressing nicely before serving.

    Combine

    In a medium bowl, combine the yogurt, mayo, vinegar, sweetener, garlic, spices and salt. Whisk well until smooth.

    Adjust flavoring and chill

    Taste the dressing and adjust flavoring, especially sweetener and salt. Add more cajun spices as well if you want, each spice blend are different!

    Then, cover the dressing and transfer to the fridge for 1 hour or so to help develop the flavors.

    • In process picture: showing some creamy ingredients with spices in a bowl.
    • In process picture: showing a bowl with a creamy sauce and a whisk.

    Watch how to make it

    Helpful tips

    • Making this dressing ahead can really enhance the flavor and cool it down nicely to make it even better. So, try to prepare it 1-2 hour before you need it, or better, the day before.
    • Every cajun spice blends are different, which means that you will need to taste and adjust flavoring to your taste, especially the salt.
    • I didn’t add any extra oil to the dressing, although there is a little mayonaise from the store that contains some oil. To make this dressing oil-free and even healthier, then I recommend to omit the vegan mayo and use more of the vegan yogurt instead. Or, make your own mayo sauce using cashews!
    Close up on a bowl of noodles and raw vegetables topped with a vegan creamy cajun salad dressing.

    Serving suggestions

    There are so many ways you can serve this creamy dressing! As seen in the pictures, I love using this recipe to dress a raw vegetable and pasta salad. Here, I used brown rice noodles with cucumbers, red peppers, shaved purple cabbage and ribboned carrots (see my carrot and cucumber ribbon salad to see how I ribbon vegetables).

    I also used the leftover sauce to make a potato salad, which worked out amazingly! I used cubed and cooked baby potatoes with celery, red pepper, fresh dill, onion and diced cucumber.

    This dressing also is perfect for green salads, especially with crunchy romaine lettuce, or to garnish buddha bowls, like this falafel buddha bowl or this Mexican buddha bowl. Also, try using this cajun sauce to coat some chickpeas or to use in any bean salads.

    And if you don't feel like a bowl or a salad, then simply use it as a dip for raw veggie sticks (carrot, cucumber, colorful peppers) or also, try using this sauce to marinate tofu before roasting it, yum!

    Over head view on a pasta salad filled with carrots and cucumber and tossed in a creamy cajun salad dressing.

    Variations

    This easy vegan dressing can be adjusted to your taste so easily! Simply play around with the spices to make it more or less intense in cajun flavors. You can really use this creamy dressing recipe as a base and make it your own!

    Also, I like this dressing pretty tangy, but if you are looking for a recipe smoother in taste, then start with 1 tablespoon of vinegar and add more as needed along the way. Same thing for the garlic, add more or none at all depending on your preference.

    I think this creamy sauce benefits a lot from a nice onion-y taste, which is why green onions are so great here, plus it adds nice specks of green throughout the creamy sauce. But, feel free to swap for finely chopped yellow or sweet onion (1-2 tablespoons). If you don't have any, then add a dash of onion powder, onion flakes or dried chives.

    More ideas include cayenne pepper or tabasco for a spicy sauce, a teaspoon of whole grain mustard, dried herbs such as thyme or oregano or even a small handful of finely chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley or dill.

    Storage tips

    This cajun vinaigrette stores very well. Simply keep in an air-tight container for up to 4 days and stir well before serving. The flavor will intensify over time, which is even better!

    There is a stream of a creamy cajun salad dressing pouring over a bowl of cold pasta and raw vegetables.

    More vegan salad dressings you might like

    • Creamy balsamic tahini dressing
    • Vegan Italian dressing (oil-free)
    • Almond butter dressing
    • Vegan buffalo sauce
    • Vegan avocado ranch dressing
    • Sesame soy dressing
    • Thai peanut butter sauce
    • Oil-free chili lime dressing
    • Vegan chipotle sauce

    Other vegan yogurt-based sauces to try

    • Vegan tzatziki
    • Herb yogurt sauce in this vegan tray bake
    • Baba ganoush
    • Vegan Waldorf salad dressing
    • Red lentil pasta salad dressing
    • Vegan avocado yogurt green goddess dressing

    I hope you like this cajun salad dressing recipe as much as we do! If you try it, please leave a comment below and rate the recipe to let me know how it was. Your feedback is so helpful!

    Let's stay in touch with Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Also, don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter to be sure not to miss anything.

    Overhead view on a small jar filled with a creamy cajun salad dressing.

    Creamy Cajun Salad Dressing

    This ultra flavorful creamy cajun salad dressing is so easy and quick to make. Includes creamy yogurt, mayo and red wine vinegar, plus flavored with garlic and cajun spice blend. Perfect for green salads, roasted vegetables, buddha bowls, potato or pasta salads or simply as a dip. 100% vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free.
    PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time0 mins
    Total Time5 mins
    Servings 1 cup
    Author Jessica Laroche

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup vegan plain yogurt
    • ¼ tbsp vegan mayonaise - or more yogurt
    • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
    • 2 tsp sweetener - I used maple syrup
    • 1 small clove of garlic - crushed
    • 1 green onion - finely chopped
    • 1½ tsp cajun seasoning blend
    • ¼ tsp smoked paprika
    • salt and ground black pepper - to taste

    Instructions
     

    • In a bowl, combine all the ingredients and whisk until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning to your taste, including salt, cajun spices and sweetener.
    • The dressing can be enjoyed right away, but if you have time, then let the sauce chill in the fridge for 1-2 hours before serving for the flavor to intensify.
    • Serve as a dip for raw veggies or use over green salads, pasta salads, potato salads, buddha bowls, roasted vegetables and so much more.

    Video

    Notes

    • Store the dressing in an air-tight container for up to 4 days in the fridge. 
    • This recipe is made without added oil, but often, mayo includes oil. To make this recipe oil-free and 100% whole food plant based, then you can swap the mayo for more yogurt or, make your own vegan mayo using cashews.
    • This recipe is very versatile and easy to adjust to your taste. Feel free to add dried or fresh herbs, cayenne pepper or tabasco to make it spicy, include mustard or swap the green onions for finely chopped yellow onion or onion powder.
    CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE FOR UPDATES!
    SHARE ON FACEBOOK SHARE BY EMAIL

    Pin it for later!

    Pinterest picture showing 2 images of a cajun vinaigrette with an overlay text saying: Easy, Vegan, Healthy Cajun salad dressing."
    « Baba Ganoush without Tahini
    20-Minute Creamy Mushroom Miso Udon »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published.

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    SEARCH


    ABOUT JESS


    Profile picture for Plant Based Jess in the kitchen.

    Hi there! I’m Jessica, a pasta obsessed French Canadian now living in beautiful Maine. I’m a mom of two, experienced foodie and ninja meal planner. I believe everyone can make stress-free plant-based meals with wholesome ingredients that your family and friends will love. 

    Join me in my kitchen to discover fun and creative recipes or click to find out more. Welcome!

    CONNECT WITH ME


    COMFORT FOOD RECIPES


    • Gnocchi Marinara Skillet
    • Vegan Kimchi Ramen Noodles
    • Creamy Gochujang Pasta
    • Flatbread Bruschetta with Pesto and Balsamic Glaze

    POPULAR RECIPES


    • Green Pasta Sauce (Quick and Healthy)
    • Easy Buckwheat Bread (No yeast, No kneading!)
    • Avocado Peanut Butter Green Smoothie
    • 3-Ingredient Almond Flour Peanut Butter Cookies

    Footer

    Copyright © 2021 Plant Based Jess