Salads are a go-to meal option for many looking to eat healthy, lose weight or just add more veggies in the diet. But the dressing put on top can greatly impact the nutritional profile of the salad (and often not for the better).
After reading the nutrition label of store bought salad dressing, you will likely realize a lot of the ingredients are undesirable and unrecognizable. Many bottled dressings are hidden sources of sodium, sugar and not so healthy oils.
One of the best solutions to enjoying a healthy salad all around is by making a homemade dressing. Fortunately, we have 10 salad dressing recipes to get you started!
10 Healthy Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes
These 10 healthy salad dressing recipes are simple to make and are healthier than bottled dressing alternatives. They add a unique flavor that may revitalize the desire for eating salads.
1. Apple Cider Citrus Vinaigrette
Pairing any type of vinegar, olive oil and optional citrus flavor can give you an easy, flavorful dressing with just a few shakes in a jar. This apple cider citrus vinaigrette pairs well with a green salad with pomegranates.
To make this simple dressing, combine the following ingredients in a jar to shake or whisk together in a bowl:
• 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1 Tbsp honey
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
2. Basil Vinaigrette
This basil vinaigrette recipe from Two Peas & Their Pod tastes great on greens. However, this delicious homemade dressing goes beyond salad!
Use the dressing to flavor roasted meats or as a pizza or pasta sauce. It may be best used when there is an abundance of fresh basil in the summer.
Combine the following ingredients in a blender until smooth:
• 2 cups packed basil leaves
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 2 Tbsp minced shallot
• 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp white balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
3. Red Wine Vinaigrette
This simple red wine vinaigrette can be used for any green salad or specialities such as a Mediterranean quinoa salad or Greek salad. Having these ingredients on hand can provide a tasty dressing in under a few minutes.
To make this simple dressing, combine the following ingredients in a jar to shake or whisk together in a bowl:
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
4. Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing
Any creamy based dressings, like ranch, have a bad reputation for being higher in calories. They also contain unrecognizable ingredients compared to oil based dressings.
A homemade Greek yogurt ranch dressing uses plain Greek yogurt and fresh herbs to provide creaminess and fresh ranch flavor. It boosts with protein, flavor, and pairs great with any salad or these air fryer zucchini fries!
To make, combine the following ingredients in a blender until smooth:
• 1 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 1 tsp dried dill
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp freshly chopped dill
Refrigerate and let flavors blend for at least 30 minutes, preferably 2 hours, before serving.
5. Dijon Salad Dressing
This simple dijon mustard dressing from Food Network can be made in under a few minutes using these simple ingredients you probably have on hand.
Combine the following ingredients in a jar to shake or whisk together in a bowl:
• 3 Tbsp dijon mustard
• 3 Tbsp champagne or red wine vinegar
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• Ground pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup olive oil
For a touch of sweetness, prepare a simple honey mustard dressing with a touch of honey.
6. Almond Butter Soy Dressing
Sweet and savory, this almond butter soy dressing namely combines almond butter, soy sauce, and other fresh flavors. It pairs great with a Thai-inspired salad and dresses this zucchini noodle salad to absolute perfection!
Combine the following ingredients in a medium bowl and gently mix until fully combined:
• 4 Tbsp almond butter, unsalted
• 3 Tbsp soy sauce, reduced-sodium (or tamari for gluten-free*)
• 2 Tbsp sesame or olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
7. Green Goddess Dressing
Green goddess dressing is a creamy, herby dressing that is usually made with mayonnaise or sour cream. You can make Cookie + Kate green goddess dressing at home and make it healthier by using plain Greek yogurt to add creaminess instead of mayo or sour cream.
Combine the following ingredients in a blender until smooth:
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 cup lightly packed fresh herbs (tender stems are fine): use cilantro, parsley, dill, basil and/or mint, with up to ¼ cup chives or green onion (sliced into ½" segments)
• Optional: Up to 2 tablespoons fresh tarragon leaves
• 1 medium clove garlic, roughly chopped
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
• Lots of freshly ground black pepper, to taste
This dressing can keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 to 7 days.
8. Carrot Ginger Dressing
This Cookie + Kate carrot ginger dressing can add a tasty Asian flair for any greens based salad or could be used for any other grain based salads or Asian dishes.
Combine the following in a blender and process until smooth:
• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup rice vinegar
• 2 large carrots, peeled and roughly chopped (about 2/3 cup)
• 2 Tbsp peeled and roughly chopped fresh ginger
• 2 Tbsp lime juice
• 1 Tbsp plus 1 tsp honey
• 1.5 tsp toasted sesame oil
• 1/4 tsp salt or to taste
This dressing can keep in the refrigerator covered for up to 1 to 2 weeks.
9. Chili Lime Dressing
This chili lime dressing from Wholefully® can add a little balanced heat to top a salad with the red pepper flakes. If you are concerned this dressing may be too spicy, add the red pepper flakes a little at a time and stop at your desired heat level.
Combine the following ingredients in a jar to shake or whisk together in a bowl:
• Zest and juice of 2 limes (about 4 Tbsp juice and 3 tsp zest)
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp honey
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, finely minced OR 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp salt
10. Seaweed Salad Dressing
To switch up traditional salad greens, hook onto this seaweed salad packed with flavor as deep as the sea!
Add the following into a small bowl and mix until combined:
• 1.5 Tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 Tbsp sesame oil
• 1 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp ginger juice
For all salad dressing recipes, feel free to scale the measurements. The dressings can also be prepared in bulk and used for near future use, just be sure to seal and store appropriately.