Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (2024)

Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (2) Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (3) Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (4) Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (5) Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (6)

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By Jessica Krock | | Recipes,

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Brian was experimenting with some Brussels sprouts last week and he put together a quick dressing for them. When I tasted it, I knew we had to do a separate video for the dressing. If you are looking for a slightly sweet, tangy, smoky dressing – this is it! When I first tried it, it reminded me of a honey mustard… except without the honey OR the mustard 🤔

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The best part is, this recipe uses a very simple list of ingredients and takes barely any effort to make! And of course, it is vegan and free from any added oil, refined sugars, etc.

Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (8)

Medjool dates add a nice sweetness, while the lemon juice gives that tangy kick. The tahini comes in and balances out all of the flavors and then you get a nice hit of smokiness from the liquid smoke.

Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (9)

This recipe is very customizable, so you can add more or less of any of the ingredients if you want it sweeter, less tangy, etc.

Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (10)

While you could use any blender, a nice high speed one like a Vitamix is going to completely incorporate the dates and leave you with a very smooth dressing.

Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (11)

Check out the video here and get the full recipe below.

Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing

  • Difficulty: easy
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Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (12)

Ingredients

  • – 3 to 4 pitted Medjool dates (about 60g)
  • – 1/2 cup water
  • – 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • – 2 Tbsp tahini (32g)
  • – 1/4 to 1/2 tsp liquid smoke
  • – 1/4 tsp salt (optional)

Directions

  1. Place all of the ingredients into a high speed blender.
  2. Blend until dates are completely incorporated, about 60 seconds.
  3. Pour into a container and store in refrigerator for up to one week.

*Makes approximately 1 1/4 cups.

*For a smaller 1/4 batch, combine 1 pitted Medjool date, 2 Tbsp water, 2 Tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 Tbsp tahini and 5 drops of liquid smoke into a small blender/bullet. This won’t work in a larger blender because there won’t be enough to blend. When making a 1/4 batch we use the 8oz blending cups that work with our Ascent Series Vitamix. Please note that these cups ONLY work with Ascent Series blenders.


Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (13)

We made a nice salad with butter lettuce, bell peppers, red onion, zucchini, carrots and banana peppers. The sweet & smoky dressing was a perfect compliment to the salad.

Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (14)

In our next video, we will show you how we roast Brussels sprouts in our air fryer (and oven). Paired with this dressing, it is an absolutely delicious combination!

Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (15)

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25 Responses to Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan)

  1. Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (16)Coreen Walker says:

    March 9, 2020 at 2:44 am

    The flavor of this dressing makes me think of bacon. Really tasty—so glad you discovered this.

    Reply

  2. Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (17)Ellie says:

    March 9, 2020 at 10:46 pm

    Hi Jessica and Brian,

    I have to tell you I’m so excited. I made this recipe tonight and it is so delicious. I can’t wait to put it on my salad. I also did something different and made a 2nd batch, but changed things up a bit. In the 2nd batch, I omitted the liquid smoke, and instead of tahini I put in almond butter…and oh my gosh it’s so fantastic. I will have enough dressing to last me a bit, but this recipe is so easy and soooo good! Thank you both for all you do!

    Reply

    • Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (18)Jessica Krock says:

      March 25, 2020 at 11:39 am

      Thanks Ellie!

      Reply

  3. Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (19)Nicole says:

    March 15, 2020 at 10:55 pm

    Hey guys! I want to make the salad dressing and I’m wondering what the calories would be per serving. Thanks! Love the content

    Reply

    • Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (20)Jessica Krock says:

      March 25, 2020 at 11:36 am

      Hi Nicole! We don’t count calories, so I am not sure, but I will try to calculate it next time we make it and let you know!!

      Reply

  4. Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (21)Leslie says:

    March 16, 2020 at 11:56 am

    Thank you for the recipe for the salad dressing and for your video!
    I have an actually used it on salad yet.
    But I did use some as a cold pasta salad with some legume pasta and oven roasted zucchini cubes.
    With some cracked pepper on top.
    It was really delicious!
    And also, thank you for mentioning the healthspan solution cookbook And having a link for it!
    I bought it and indeed it looks wonderful and I am going to try some thing out of it today!
    Question:For some uses with this dressing, I would love for it to be a bit thicker. I think he may be a little bit of oat flour?
    But I don’t want to change the taste of it if I can help it.
    I have a sensitivity to cashews so that’s a no go for me.
    Thanks again!

    Reply

    • Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (22)Jessica Krock says:

      March 25, 2020 at 11:30 am

      Hi Leslie! That pasta salad sounds great! We will have to try that out 🙂 As far as thickening the dressing, you could try using less lemon juice or adding a bit more tahini. I am not sure about the oat flour… it might work but could change the flavor a bit!

      Reply

  5. Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (23)Lil Morelli says:

    March 23, 2020 at 11:51 am

    Hi Brian, I love this dressing!! My husband isn’t a fan of liquid smoke and in one of your videos you mention substituting smoked paprika. How much of that should I use in this recipe?? Thanks.

    Reply

    • Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (24)Jessica Krock says:

      March 29, 2020 at 12:28 am

      Hello! Brian used 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika in place of the liquid smoke!

      Reply

  6. Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (25)Janette says:

    March 25, 2020 at 12:29 pm

    Just made this dressing with Meyer lemons from my yard, and added a little bit of fresh ground black pepper. So delicious! Thanks!!

    Reply

  7. Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (26)Lesia says:

    March 26, 2020 at 11:10 pm

    This recipe was amazing! I never liked brussel sprouts as a child, but after watching your video I decided to give it a try. I could not believe how good they were with the dressing! I even liked them cold! I now love brussel sprouts! Thank you so much for being an inspiration! God bless you! Xoxo ❤

    Reply

  8. Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (27)Dee says:

    March 28, 2020 at 9:26 am

    Hi Jessica and Brian,

    Brian mentioned in a video that he substituted smoked paprika for the liquid smoke, so I was wondering what amount of smoked paprika he used. I’ve been holding off on buying liquid smoke but already have smoked paprika and had wondered if that might be a good substitution. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

    • Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (28)Jessica Krock says:

      March 29, 2020 at 12:27 am

      Hi Dee – Brian used 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika in place of the liquid smoke!

      Reply

  9. Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (29)Trotter says:

    April 9, 2020 at 8:36 am

    I just tried this recipe. It is so delicious ever I think. My children like this so much. I like oily food, so I use a little bit more oil than your specifications.

    Reply

    • Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (30)Bev says:

      October 22, 2022 at 6:55 am

      There is no oil in this dressing?

      Reply

  10. Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (31)Adayla says:

    April 9, 2020 at 1:32 pm

    Is there any substitute for the dates? I cant seem to find any in stock at the stores near me and do not have any on hand but would love to try this out today. Could honey be used? Or are the dates used for more than sweetener?

    Reply

    • Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (32)Brian Krock says:

      March 14, 2022 at 10:59 pm

      You can use maple syrup, raisins, or honey if you aren’t vegan. 🙂

      Reply

  11. Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (33)IdahoVegger says:

    April 13, 2020 at 12:45 pm

    This is so amazing. I added a touch of lemon zest with my fresh lemon juice. I didn’t have any tahini so added 2 TBSP of raw sesame seeds. No salt was needed!! It’s fantastic. Thanks, Brian!! (my Brussels Sprouts are in the oven now–I’m excited for lunch!!)

    Reply

  12. Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (34)Rhonda says:

    May 21, 2020 at 12:30 pm

    I am in love with this dressing!

    Reply

  13. Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (35)LindaV says:

    June 6, 2020 at 3:50 pm

    If you don’t have liquid smoke around and you use the salt, you can use smoked salt instead of regular. A little goes a long way.

    Reply

  14. Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (36)Heidi says:

    January 3, 2021 at 2:48 pm

    This dressing is a total game changer for me. I just LOVE it and never get tired of it. Thank you!

    Reply

  15. Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (37)Antoinette says:

    April 17, 2021 at 4:13 pm

    I just happened upon your videos on youtube last night. So glad I found you. Watched you both make several recipes and what I saw made me subscribe. Everything looked delicious and healthy. This afternoon I made the tahini dressing. Can’t wait to eat my salad at dinner tonight. Thanks for all the recipes, tips and tricks. You are both very inspiring.

    Reply

    • Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (38)Antoinette says:

      April 17, 2021 at 4:18 pm

      p.s. I didn’t have dates in the house but did have pitted prunes so I used them. I just had to make this dressing (tastes delicious with this substitute as well). But I plan on using dates next time.

      Reply

  16. Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (39)Rhonda says:

    June 18, 2021 at 11:43 am

    I always come back to this recipe!
    Really should print it out 😉
    Miss you guys
    Hope you are doing well. ❤️

    Reply

  17. Recipe: Brian’s Sweet & Smoky All-Purpose Dressing (No Added Oil, Plant-Based, Vegan) (40)Josephine says:

    January 25, 2022 at 11:55 pm

    Omg! I love this so much. I had no found a dressing I liked until now. Thank you both

    Reply

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