The 15 wholesome salad dressings presented below let you know precisely what they contain. Many are based on olive oil, some get the creaminess from natural Greek yogurt or tahini, and a few are sweetened with honey–a natural sweetener.
Salads are universally praised as a fantastic means to incorporate daily vegetables into your diet, yet have you ever glanced at the back of a salad dressing bottle and wondered about the odd ingredients, or the abundant added fats and sugars? Even a bowl filled with fresh, nutrient-heavy ingredients can be sabotaged by unhealthy dressing. Fortunately, there are abundant recipes for healthy salad dressings that can be easily made at home in less than 10 minutes.
The 15 wholesome salad dressings presented below let you know precisely what they contain. Many are based on olive oil, some get the creaminess from natural Greek yogurt or tahini, and a few are sweetened with honey–a natural sweetener. But, these dressings definitely do not contain a laundry list of unpronounceable additives, which perhaps is the best part.
Continue reading for a selection of simple salad dressing recipes. Then, explore more healthy cooking advice at 77 Best Healthy Lunch Ideas for Weight Loss.
Points to Remember When Storing Homemade Salad Dressings
The convenience of commercial salad dressing bottles is that the bought dressings tend to last longer due to shelf-stable preservatives. When creating your own dressing using basic ingredients, it inevitably has a shorter shelf life.
A few of the following recipes leverage natural preservatives like lemon juice or different types of vinegar which extend shelf life very slightly. Yet, aim to consume them ideally within a week. Each recipe has a note about its typical longevity.
A frequent occurrence with oil-based dressings is refrigerated congealing, another reason why manufacturers opt for additives. To circumvent this, we suggest removing the dressing from the refrigerator around 30 minutes before use to allow warming to room temperature. Not all recipes need refrigeration, hence there are specific storage advisories for each.
Honey Mustard Dressing
Sincerely, this honey mustard dressing excels both as a thick coating for salads and a healthy dip. If the Dijon mustard is too dominant, simply add more honey to balance. Taste it and adjust!
Simply whisk together the ingredients in a medium bowl. This dressing lasts up to two weeks refrigerated.
Ingredients:
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1/4 cup Dijon mustard
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1/4 cup olive oil
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1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
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3-4 tbsp. honey
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1 lemon, freshly squeezed
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1/2 tsp. salt
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A pinch of pepper
RELATED: The 22 Unhealthiest Restaurant Salads in America
Green Goddess Dressing
The highlight of this green goddess dressing? It makes the most of those herbs sitting in your fridge! It can take any fresh herbs you have, even a mix.
Ingredients:
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1 container plain Greek yogurt (approximately 2/3 cup)
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1 cup fresh herbs (an assortment of available)
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1 garlic clove, chopped
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1 lemon, freshly squeezed
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1/2 tsp. salt
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1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
Bring those wilting parsley or basil back to life by blending them with these green goddess dressing ingredients until smooth. For this recipe, we blended a large handful of parsley, fresh basil, and a little thyme. But, feel free to add dill, mint, cilantro, chives, or others.
Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Greek Vinaigrette
While this Greek vinaigrette performs well on any fresh garden salad, it’s specifically irresistible on a Greek pasta salad. Combine all the ingredients together in a bottle and shake vigorously!
Ingredients:
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3/4 cup olive oil
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6 tbsp. red wine vinegar
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3 tsp. dried oregano
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1 tsp. garlic powder
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1/2 tsp. salt
As this blend doesn’t contain any perishable ingredients, you can conveniently store this dressing on the shelf for several weeks.
Honey Chipotle Dressing
If, like us, you can’t get enough of the Honey Chipotle Vinaigrette from Chipotle, you’re in luck! Here’s our copycat recipe that you can whip up at home.
This Honey Chipotle Dressing is deliciously spicy and packed with flavour, making it the ideal accompaniment for fresh salads or even DIY burrito bowls.
Ingredients:
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3/4 cup olive oil
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1/4 cup red wine vinegar
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2 tbsp. honey
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2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
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2 chopped garlic cloves
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Juice of 1 lime
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1 tsp. cumin
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1 tsp. fresh oregano (or 1/2 tsp. dried oregano)
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1/2 tsp salt
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Dash of pepper
Combine the ingredients in a bowl by whisking them all together. Keep this honey chipotle dressing in your fridge for up to two weeks.
Lime and Cilantro Dressing
Give wilting cilantro a second lease of life with this tasty lime and cilantro dressing! It’s an excellent add-on for any of your favourite Mexican dishes.
Ingredients:
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Juice of 2 limes
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1 cup fresh cilantro
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1 garlic clove
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1/2 tsp. ground coriander
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1 tsp. honey
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1/2 tsp. salt
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1/2 cup olive oil
Simply blend all the ingredients and transfer to an air-tight mason jar or bottle. Store this lime and cilantro dressing in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Ginger Sesame Dressing
For lovers of sesame and ginger, this recipe is one to rave about.
Ingredients:
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2 tbsp. sesame oil
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2 tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
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2 tbsp. rice wine vinegar
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2 tbsp. olive oil
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2 tbsp. honey
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1 tbsp. freshly minced ginger
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1 minced garlic clove
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1 tsp. Sriracha
Just whisk all the ingredients together in a bowl. If sriracha isn’t your thing, feel free to skip it.
Store this ginger sesame dressing at room temperature for up to two weeks.
Italian Dressing
Ever fancied an Italian dressing without being bombarded with extra sugars? We’ve got you covered with this homemade version!
Ingredients:
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3/4 cup olive oil
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1/4 cup red wine vinegar
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Juice of 1 lemon
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1 tsp. Dijon mustard
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1 tsp. Italian seasoning
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1 minced garlic clove
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1/2 tsp. salt
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Dash of pepper
Given the freshly-squeezed lemon juice, it’s best to store this dressing in your fridge for up to two weeks. Before use, leave it out to let the oil reach room temperature.
Healthy Ranch Dressing
Yes! There’s a healthy rendition of ranch dressing, and it’s just as scrumptious. This version utilises Greek yogurt and is diluted with water; there’s no fatty buttermilk or secret ingredients involved. The secret lies in the mix of herbs and spices, so ensure you include them all.
Ingredients:
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One 5.3 oz. container plain Greek yogurt (about 2/3 cup)
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Juice of 1 lemon
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2 tbsp. water
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1 tsp. garlic powder
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1 tbsp. fresh parsley (or 1/2 tsp. dried parsley flakes)
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1/2 tsp. onion powder
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1/2 tsp. dried dill
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1/2 tsp. dried chives
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1/2 tsp. salt
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Dash of pepper
Store this healthier ranch dressing in your fridge for up to two weeks.
Lemon Dressing
This lemon dressing is the perfect partner for any salad that features seafood—be it fish, tuna, or salmon. This dressing not only accentuates seafood dishes but also doubles as a great marinade. Store it in your fridge where it can last for several weeks.
Ingredients:
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1/4 cup lemon juice
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3/4 cup olive oil
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1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
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1/2 tsp. salt
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Dash of pepper
Balsamic Dressing
Put the instructions aside and let’s write a new Balsamic Dressing recipe!
Keep this traditional three-ingredient balsamic vinaigrette on deck at all times—it’s ideal for a quick, tantalizing side dish. Perfectly complementing a fresh bed of greens or a straight-forward Caprese salad, it’s effortless yet delicious.
Ingredients:
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3/4 cup olive oil
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1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
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1 tsp. garlic salt
Searching for wholesome, long-lasting salad dressing recipes? This is a go-to option that you can quickly prepare. You can keep it at room temperature for quite some time, but try to use it up within a week to maintain peak freshness.
Tahini Dressing
Tahini, a lavish, earthy sauce produced from sesame seeds, is a versatile base for numerous creamy dressings. Enhanced with garlic and coconut aminos, this tahini dressing superbly compliments the Abundance Kale Salad from the Minimalist Baker. This dressing will keep in the refrigerator for about a week.
Find the full recipe at the Minimalist Baker site.
Vegan Caesar Dressing
Several plant-based dressings satisfy vegan and vegetarian palates, but traditional Caesar dressing—made with anchovies, cheese, and eggs—is not one of them. With this vegan adaptation, you still achieve the bold, creamy flavors without any animal ingredients. Store this dressing in the refrigerator for about 5 days up to one week.
Consult The Minimalist Baker for the complete recipe.
Ginger Salad Dressing
Employ a simple ginger dressing to enhance an Asian-inspired chopped salad or tender salmon fillet. Renowned for its robust flavor and health-enhancing properties, ginger benefits include antioxidative effects, blood sugar regulation, and menstrual pain reduction. This recipe shines with freshly grated ginger, but pre-grated ginger works too if you’re short on time.
Basil Pesto Dressing
Transform a simple salad into a flavor sensation with a basil pesto dressing. Just partner it with the suggested romaine, spring greens, and asiago cheese from Cookie + Kate. You’ll have a bowl loaded with taste, antioxidants, and healthy fats. Refrigerate for up to three days.
Shallot Vinaigrette
Shallot vinaigrette is the perfect solution for healthy and efficient salad dressing. With just a few ingredients and an olive oil base, this recipe from Gimme Some Oven boasts shallots, garlic, and Dijon mustard for an enhanced flavor without extra calories.
