Do you make your own salad dressing at home? If not, this is the perfect time to start. A simple homemade salad dressing can transform a bowl of greens into something fresh, flavorful, and satisfying.
Homemade dressing often tastes brighter and cleaner than bottled dressing. It also gives you full control over the ingredients, the amount of oil, the level of acidity, and the seasoning. With just a few pantry staples, you can create healthy salad dressing recipes that are quick, affordable, and easy to customize.
Many bottled dressings are made with low-quality oils, added sugars, artificial flavors, preservatives, and long ingredient lists. When you make dressing from scratch, you can choose ingredients you recognize, such as extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, mustard, herbs, garlic, and spices.
Most homemade salad dressings take only a minute or two to prepare. Keep a good olive oil, a few vinegars, and fresh lemons on hand, and you will always have the basics for a delicious dressing. Once you get used to the fresh taste, you may find it hard to go back to bottled dressing.
Salad Dressing’s Health Benefits
A well-balanced salad dressing does more than add flavor. Combining greens and vegetables with a small amount of oil may help make salads more satisfying. The oil also pairs beautifully with acidic ingredients such as vinegar or lemon juice, creating a bright flavor that makes vegetables more enjoyable.
The key is moderation. You do not need to drown your salad in dressing. A light drizzle, tossed thoroughly, is usually enough to coat the leaves and bring all the ingredients together.
Looking for Skinny Salad Dressings with fewer WW Points?
Choose lighter homemade salad dressings by using more vinegar or lemon juice, less oil, and flavorful additions such as mustard, herbs, garlic, yogurt, or citrus.
Dressing Your Salad
A little dressing goes a long way when it is mixed well. Start with a small drizzle, then toss the salad thoroughly so every leaf is lightly coated. If the salad still needs more flavor, add another small amount and toss again.
Another simple trick is to sprinkle a tiny pinch of salt over the greens before adding the dressing. This helps wake up the flavor of the vegetables and makes the finished salad taste more balanced. For the best texture, dress salads right before serving so the greens stay crisp and fresh.
Jam jars and mason jars are ideal for homemade dressing. Add the ingredients, close the lid tightly, and shake until combined. Any leftover dressing can usually be stored in the refrigerator. You can also whisk ingredients in a bowl, stir them in a measuring cup, or blend them for a smoother texture.
Getting the Ratio Right
The classic vinaigrette ratio is 1 part acid to 3 parts oil. The acid can be vinegar or fresh citrus juice, while the oil is often extra virgin olive oil. This traditional balance creates a smooth, mellow dressing.
However, the best homemade vinaigrette is the one that tastes good to you. Some people prefer a sharper dressing with more vinegar or lemon juice. Others enjoy a richer dressing with more oil. If you want a lighter dressing, try using 2 parts acid to 1 part oil and drizzle it sparingly over your salad.
The flavor will also depend on the type of vinegar and oil you use. Apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, rice wine vinegar, and sherry vinegar all bring different levels of sweetness and acidity. Fresh lemon juice is another excellent choice for a clean, bright dressing.
For the best flavor, use a quality oil. Extra virgin olive oil is a reliable choice because it works well in many salad dressing recipes and is easy to keep on hand.
Simple Flavorful Additions
Once you understand the basic oil-and-acid formula, you can customize your homemade salad dressing with simple ingredients. Try one or two additions at a time so the flavors stay balanced.
- A pinch of dried herb or spice
- Chopped fresh herbs
- Freshly minced garlic
- Minced chili pepper
- Minced shallots or scallions
- Chopped roasted pepper
- Mustard
- Prepared horseradish
- Soy sauce
- Worcestershire sauce
- Honey
- Maple syrup
- Freshly grated parmesan
- Chopped capers
- Minced olives
- Minced anchovy
- Salsa
- Chutney
Homemade Dressing Recipes
Apple Cider Dijon Dressing
Add 1/4 cup apple cider, 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper to a jar. Seal the lid and shake until the dressing is well combined.
Nutritional Estimates Per Serving (2 tablespoons): 71 calories, 7.2 g fat, 2.1 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 0.2 g protein and 2 Weight Watchers PPV
Lemon Dressing
Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon into a jam jar. Add a pinch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Pour in 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil. Close the jar and shake well.
Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
Pour 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar into a jam jar. Add 6 tablespoons olive oil, a pinch of sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Seal and shake until blended.
Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
Add 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup, 2 teaspoons grainy mustard, and 6 tablespoons olive oil to a jar. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Shake well before serving.
French Dressing
Peel and finely chop 1/4 clove of garlic. Add the garlic, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons wine vinegar, and 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil to a jar. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Shake until smooth and combined.
Ginger Salad Dressing
In a one-pint or larger glass jar or bowl, combine 2 cloves minced garlic, 2 tablespoons minced ginger root, 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 1/4 cup sesame oil, 6 tablespoons rice wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon light brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons water. Cover tightly and shake well, or stir until combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Creamy Homemade Dressings
Avocado Dressing
Place 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 1 small avocado, peeled and seeded, 1 garlic clove, coarsely chopped, 2 scallions, roughly chopped, and 1/4 cup cilantro in a blender. Puree until smooth. With the machine running, gradually pour in 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil. Season with salt to taste.
Blue Cheese Dressing
Whisk together 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons sour cream or yogurt, 5 teaspoons sherry vinegar, 3 ounces crumbled blue cheese, and 1 tablespoon chopped chives. Taste, then season with salt if needed and freshly ground pepper.
Buttermilk Ranch Dressing with Horseradish
Combine 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1/2 cup plain yogurt, sour cream, or mayonnaise, and 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish in a bowl. Stir in 2 pressed garlic cloves, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 cup chopped parsley. Add fresh lemon juice or white vinegar to taste.
Light Creamy Caesar Dressing
Combine 1/3 cup Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon anchovy paste, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, and 1 minced garlic clove in a bowl. Whisk until creamy and well blended.
Curry Dressing
Press 1 clove of garlic and add it to a jar or small bowl with 1/4 teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons plain yogurt, mayonnaise, or sour cream, and 2 teaspoons curry powder. Stir in 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, then add 5 tablespoons light extra virgin olive oil. Shake well and let stand for 15 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro, then shake or stir again. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
Green Goddess Dressing
Blend 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 tablespoon vinegar, 1/2 cup chopped parsley, 3 tablespoons chopped chives, 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped tarragon, and 1 garlic clove, coarsely chopped, until smooth and pale green. Taste and add salt if necessary.
Thousand Island Dressing
Stir together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons bottled sweet pickle relish, 2 tablespoons bottled chili sauce, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Thin with water until it reaches your preferred consistency. Taste and adjust as needed.
Yogurt Dressing
Add 1/3 cup plain natural yogurt, 2 tablespoons wine vinegar, and 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil to a jam jar. Season with a pinch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Seal the jar and shake well.
Sources
- Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone
- How to Cook Everything, Completely Revised 10th Anniversary Edition: 2,000 Simple Recipes for Great Food
- Jamie’s Food Revolution: Rediscover How to Cook Simple, Delicious, Affordable Meals
Salad Dressing Recipes from Other Blogs & Websites
Once you begin making homemade salad dressings, you will notice inspiration everywhere. From simple vinaigrettes to creamy yogurt-based dressings, there are many easy ways to keep salads interesting without relying on bottled options.
- Greek Salad Dressing Recipe from SlenderKitchen
- Cilantro Lime Dressing found at Allrecipes
- Lemon Vinaigrette from SkinnyTaste