30 *Totally* Impressive Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes
May 16, 2017
For some, the idea of cooking from scratch sounds like a nuisance; why waste time making your own sauces, spices, and spreads when you can grab them ready-made at the store? But more people are taking the homemade route these days, and we encourage you to give it a go. Salad dressing is an easy place to start, since in addition to controlling how much sugar, salt, and fat is added to your blend, you can also avoid preservatives! Are you sold? Here are 30 fantabulous recipes that will whisk you away from the salad dressing aisle.
Tomato Vinaigrette
If you’ve got too many tomatoes on hand, this vinaigrette is a perfect solution. Sweet and herbaceous, it’s versatile and oh-so easy to whip together. (via Lemons and More)
Homemade Vegan Green Goddess Dressing
Though delicious, a classic Green Goddess dressing isn’t the healthiest choice. Don’t fret — this vegan version is made with wholesome ingredients to create a dressing that’s low-carb, Paleo, and overall guilt-free. (via Cotter Crunch)
Homemade Buttermilk Blue Cheese Dressing
A combination of buttermilk and a few pantry staples will get you this velvety blue cheese dressing. It’s perfect for salads and, of course, chicken wing dippin’. (via My Wife Can Cook)
Chinese Chilli Oil
If you like it hot, you’ll *love* this blend. Chinese chili oil isn’t just great company for dumplings and noodles; it can also really perk up a salad. (via Red House Spice)
Chive Oil Salad Dressing
This bright and tangy dressing brings seasonal flavors together like no other. It’s mixed with oil, chives, Dijon mustard, and honey, so you’ll be tempted to drizzle it over ALL the things. (via Healthy Seasonal Recipes)
Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
Once you’ve tasted this silky homemade Ranch dressing, you’ll never buy the bottled stuff again. Extra points for the fact that this bad boy is made with Greek yogurt. YUM. (via Kevin Is Cooking)
Sweet and Spicy Mango Dipping Sauce and Dressing
If you dig sweet and spicy, you’ll REALLY fancy this all-purpose condiment. Serrano peppers tango with mango, and the result is an addictive dressing that also acts as a dipping sauce. (via Mellow n’ Spicy)
Homemade Caesar Dressing
Caesar dressing is basically king of ALL dressings, so making it from scratch should be considered an important life skill. This recipe makes it easy without skipping the traditional ingredients. (via Lisa G Cooks)
Lemon Poppyseed Vinaigrette
All it takes is six measly ingredients to whip up this bright and lemony dressing. It’s the perfect go-to for humble weeknight salads *and* snazzy dinner parties. (via Culinary Cool)
Pomegranate Vinaigrette
Pomegranate arils make for a great salad garnish. So great, in fact, that someone decided a garnish wasn’t enough and made a gorgeous dressing out of them. (via Joy Food Sunshine)
Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing
If you’re like the rest of America and can’t get enough of Olive Garden’s unlimited salad (and breadsticks), then you need this dressing in your life, like, yesterday. This copycat blend promises you’ll be eating unlimited salad all day, every day. (via A Fork’s Tale)
Jalapeño and Avocado Greek Yogurt Dressing
Greek yogurt gets jazzed up in this recipe with healthful avocado and punchy jalapeño. It’s perfect for your salads, but you’ll want to slather it all over your wraps and burrito bowls too. (via The Love Nerds)
Blender Balsamic Blueberry Vinaigrette
You can’t get a good taste of summer without blueberries, and this dressing delivers. Featuring fresh fruit, rich balsamic vinegar, and tangy Dijon mustard, this mix is fuss-free and takes minutes to whip up. (via Family Food on the Table)
Roasted Tomato Dressing
This savory dressing blends fresh oven-roasted tomatoes, shallots, and garlic, and it is AH-mazing. The flavors pair with just about any salad, from big and meaty to simple and leafy. (via Boulder Locavore)
Greek Vinaigrette
Serving up fresh garlicky and lemony flavors, this homemade blend is healthier — and tastier — than its store-bought counterpart. Best of all, it acts as a marinade and a topper for pizzas too. (via Eat Well 101)
Homemade Basil Pesto
Homemade pesto is the best-o. Boasting the holy trinity of herbs, nuts, and Parm, this blend is fantastic tossed in a salad or pasta, or slathered over a hunk of bread. (via Vessy’s Day)
Super Easy Low-Fat Sriracha Ranch Dressing
If you want to kick things up with your regular ol’ Ranch dressing, Sriracha is the way to do it. It can be poured over salad or drizzled over pizza — we strongly encourage both. (via Coffee and Crayons)
Homemade Italian Salad Dressing
This zesty recipe brings Italian dressing to a whole new level. A variety of fresh and dried herbs, plus some vinaigrette basics, is all you need to concoct some lip-smackin’ goodness. (via Diethood)
Homemade French Dressing
It’s hard to beat a vivid and tangy French dressing, but with a few simple pantry ingredients, you can have an accessible from-scratch version that will knock your socks off. (via Culinary Hill)
Homemade Peach Balsamic Vinaigrette
This dressing is just peachy. Sweetened with maple syrup, it’s the perfect addition to fresh or grilled summer eats, and all you need are five easy-to-find ingredients. (via My Chouchoux)
Whipped Scallion and Lime Dressing
Scallions bring earthiness, while limes add some brightness, and you’ll want to eat it by the spoonful. (via Lisa G Cooks)
Maple Citrus Salad Dressing
Orange and lime are shaken up with deep, rich notes of maple syrup in this mouth-watering recipe. Just whisk the ingredients together and you’re done. Easy peasy. (via Peas and Crayons)
Homemade Thousand Island Dressing
This stuff is basically Big Mac sauce for salads, and it’s coveted far and wide. Instead of missing out, make it in the comfort of your own home with just five minutes and five ingredients. (via Culinary Hill)
Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette
It’s zesty; it’s sweet; it’s seasoned to perfection — this simple balsamic will please even the pickiest of salad eaters. The dressing is naturally sweetened with honey, which makes it an ideal alternative to the sugar-packed store-bought type. (via The Blond Cook)
High-Protein Chickpea, Orange, and Tahini Dressing
Bet you never thought you’d be turning to your salad dressing for a healthy dose of protein. This stuff is oil-free, silky, and (most importantly) incredibly delish. (via Win Win Food)
Homemade Ranch Dressing
A healthy spin on the typically sinful Ranch? YES PLEASE. This gem brings fresh dill and Greek yogurt into the mix for a guiltless indulgence you’ll be eating on the reg. (via Kristen Lindsay)
Avocado Ranch Dressing
This recipe invites avocado to the party for a spin on Ranch that’s heart-healthy and oh-so creamy. Feeling adventurous? Add a splash of green hot sauce. (via Jennifer Meyering)
Homemade Honey Dijon Dressing
This well-balanced blend will have you eating salad daily. Sweet and tangy, it mixes grapeseed oil, raw honey, and Dijon mustard for a most perfect balance. (via Sweet and Savory by Shinee)
Easy Everyday Peanut Sauce
Peanut sauce shouldn’t be used exclusively in curries and sauces. This sauce, loosened up with some coconut milk, really amps up an Asian-inspired salad. (via Climb, Eat, Cycle, Repeat)
Apple Cider and Dijon Vinaigrette
Snub the excess sugar and preservatives and opt for a simple homespun vinaigrette that will taste great while making you feel better. This Paleo mix offers up garlic, Dijon mustard, and tart apple cider vinegar for a healthful splash of YUM. (via Root and Revel)
