Dressing is to salad what Garfunkel is to Simon – an essential half to a whole. Buying store made dressing can get pricey, so we’ve put together this little list of salad dressings you can make in less than 10 minutes. Never buy dressing again!
18 Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes
Homemade salad dressing recipes are easy to make and even easier to get creative with! Most dressings only require five ingredients or less, which means the flavor combinations are endless. Check out our list of 18 homemade salad dressing recipes your salads need.
Why stop at making your own salad dressing when you can grow your own salad too? Check out this amazing kit from our friends over at Grow and Make.
1. Lemon Avocado Salad Dressing
The guacamole of salad dressings.
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Lemons and avocados were made for each other. Guacamole is the perfect example of this heavenly duo at their best and if that example doesn’t leave you convinced, then this salad dressing certainly will. Creamy, bright and zesty, this dressing is perfect for every salad.
Ingredients
⅓ c mashed avocado (1 medium)
2 Tbsp lemon juice (juice from one lemon)
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp honey
2-3 Tbsp water (to reach desired consistency)
Get the recipe here
2. Easy One-Jar Lemon Salad Dressing
Bright, zesty and perfect for Summer.
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This salad dressing is unbelievably easy to make and will compliment all kinds of salad fixings. Our personal recipe swaps out the coconut vinegar for apple cider vinegar.
Ingredients
⅓ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
¼ cup + 3 tablespoons olive oil
¼ cup coconut vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
3 tablespoons raw honey
¼ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Get the recipe here
3. Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
Garlic makes everything better.
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Balsamic vinaigrette is always a great go-to. While the classic is great, this particular recipe is packed with a tangy flavor that will leave you making salad for every meal of the day.
Ingredients
1 1/3 Cups Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Cup Balsamic Vinegar
4 Cloves Garlic- Minced (or 1 tsp Freeze Dried)
4 Tblsp Dried Parsley
4 tsp Dried Basil
4 tsp Dried Minced Onion
2 tsp Salt
Get the recipe here
4. Ranch Dressing
Healthy, homemade copy cat ranch dressing.
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Store-bought ranch can be fatty and filled with chemical emulsifiers. This recipe is not only healthier, but better tasting than the dressings you find at the store. The texture of this recipe is so light and creamy, you could even drink it if you wanted to (hey, no judgments here!).
Ingredients
3/4 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 small bunch of fresh chives
1 small bunch of fresh parsley
1 clove garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 – 1/2 cup milk (depending on desired thickness)
Get the recipe here
5. Simple French Dressing
The perfect dressing for a summer day.
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This homemade salad dressing recipe is so simple to make and requires ingredients you already have in your pantry. The ketchup, white vinegar, mustard and sugar come together to create a well-balanced dressing that is tangy, bright, and sweet.
Ingredients
½ cup ketchup
½ cup white vinegar
1 cup oil
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. pepper
½ tsp. dry mustard
½ tsp. garlic salt
1 scant cup sugar
Get the recipe here
6. Avocado Cilantro Lime Salad Dressing
Creamy, tangy and great for your skin!
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This recipe is the perfect dressing for summer. Honey, citrus juice and vinegar come together perfectly to create a dressing that evokes the smells and feeling of a beautiful summer day.
Ingredients
2 tbsp. lime juice
¼ cup orange juice
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp. honey
½ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. ground black pepper
½ cup loosely packed cilantro leaves
1 ripe avocado, skin and pit removed
Get the recipe here
7. Creamy Italian Dressing
The best recipe for picnics and BBQs!
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This dressing can be used as a salad dressing or dip for fresh veggies. A dressing to bring to a picnic that will be an instant hit with your friends and family!
Ingredients
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup olive oil
3 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp parmesan cheese, grated
2 tbsps milk
1 1/2 tsp fresh oregano, minced
1 1/2 tsp fresh parsley, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
salt and pepper
Get the recipe here
8. Lemon Bruschetta Salad Dressing
We’ll have this on everything, please!
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Sugar free, low calorie, and full of healthy ingredients, this dressing is great for all you health-conscious folks out there (or for those who just need a break from ranch).
Ingredients
½ cup olive oil
fresh lemon juice from 1 lemon
2 cloves garlic (I pressed mine in my garlic press)
½ tsp paprika
1 tbsp dried thyme
1 tsp salt
1 packet of stevia
1 tsbp dried tarragon
1 large tomato
Get the recipe here
9. Lemon Herb Vinaigrette
The perfect everyday dressing.
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This lemon herb vinaigrette recipe uses fresh ingredients like herbs, lemons, and sun-dried tomatoes. Drizzle this over an Italian-styled salad and you’ll be instantly transported to that happy place.
Ingredients
⅓ cup olive oil
⅓ cup canola oil
1 tsp finely grated fresh lemon zest
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried mint, optional*
2 tsp finely chopped fresh herbs**, optional*
1 tbsp finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes, optional*
1 tsp fresh minced garlic
½ tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
½ tsp fresh ground black pepper
Get the recipe here
10. Raspberry Poppy Seed Vinaigrette
Fruity, tangy and pretty to look at!
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Whoa, who knew dressings could be so wonderful? This recipe is like dessert in a jar (something we’re a big fan of) and the perfect compliment to warm, summer days. Drizzle this over a simple green salad with strawberries and almonds and tuck in.
Ingredients
3 tbsp red onion, chopped
3 tbsp raspberry jam (or strawberry, mixed berry, boysenberry…any berry jam will do)
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup + 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp honey mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tbsp poppy seeds
Get the recipe here
11. Simple Red Wine Vinaigrette
There’s no going wrong with this easy recipe.
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This dressing goes best with salads that have grilled meat in them. This recipe is easy to follow and even has cancer- and age-fighting properties such as resveratrol and healthy fats.
Ingredients
¼ cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 ½ teaspoon of agave nectar (you can use honey but it will change the taste)
½ teaspoon celery salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons finely minced shallots
½ cup good quality extra virgin olive oil
Get the recipe here
12. Maple Dijon Salad Dressing
Refined-sugar free and flavorful!
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It’s time to kick it up a notch (oh yeah, we watched Emeril Lagasse) with this delightful, sweet and spicy dressing recipe. A great dressing for spicing up boring salads, this recipe can also be used as a dip for veggies or sauce for sandwiches and burgers.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
8 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Get the recipe here
13. Perfect Caesar Dressing
Recreate your favorite dressing at home!
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Caesar dressing is already great, but this recipe makes it so much better. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself double-dipping into the jar!
Ingredients
2 tbsp mayo
2 tsp Dijon mustard (I used “Grey Poupon” brand)
2 large garlic cloves, pressed
1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (about 1 1/2 small lemons or 1 large lemon)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 cups mild or extra light olive oil (not extra virgin)
1/2 cup shredded Pparmesan cheese
Get the recipe here
14. Strawberry Poppy Seed Vinaigrette
Fruit vinaigrette is the best!
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We love fruit vinaigrettes (pomegranate is another great option!), so our list of salad dressings wouldn’t be complete without a couple of these recipes. Tasty and a nice color complement to any salad!
Ingredients
1/2 cup strawberries, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon tamari or soy sauce
1 teaspoon sriracha (or to taste) (optional)
1 large clove garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
Get the recipe here
15. Five-Ingredient Salad Dressing
A five ingredient vinaigrette you can make in less than 10 minutes!
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This dressing is so easy to make you could probably do it with your eyes closed. That said, it’s definitely better to do it with them open. How else could you appreciate the beauty that is this recipe?
Ingredients
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
4 cloves of garlic, minced
3 tbsp nutritional yeast, optional, but oh-so-necessary in our opinion
1/2 tbsp salt
Get the recipe here
16. Greek Salad Dressing
Perfect for Mediterranean inspired dishes.
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This classic salad dressing is like aromatherapy. Every time we make this dressing we get so caught up in the wonderful smells, that we almost forget to pour it on our salad! And of course, this recipe tastes just as good as it smells. Hooray for homemade salad dressings!
Ingredients
juice of 2 whole lemons
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
2-3 large clove garlic, peeled and minced or pressed
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon smooth Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
Get the recipe here
17. Asian Ginger Carrot Dressing
This dressing is the perfect excuse to eat more crispy wontons!
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This dressing will make your taste buds sing and your skin glow! The peanut oil, ginger and carrots create a flavor profile made for Asian salads.
Ingredients
1/4 cup shredded carrots
1/4 cup minced onion
1 tbsp minced fresh ginger
1 small clove garlic
1 tbsp minced celery
3 tbsp peanut oil (or sesame oil)
3 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tbsp water
1 tbsp tomato paste
2 tsp low sodium soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
1 1/2 tsp raw sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
salt and fresh ground black pepper
Get the recipe here
18. Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Sun Dressing
Turmeric has great antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
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Have you heard about turmeric and all of its wonderful properties? If not, then you’re missing out on a great antioxidant and anti-inflammatory! All natural and all good, this dressing will not only help you feel great, but look great as well.
Ingredients
4 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
juice + zest of 2 Lemons
¼ avocado
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp ground turmeric
1 tbsp raw local honey — if not vegan
pinch of Himalayan sea salt (to taste)
Get the recipe here
Salad dressings are the unsung heroes of condiments. These bad boys are easy to make, healthy, and can elevate a simple salad into a gourmet dish. Make yourself and your wallet happy with these amazing homemade salad dressing recipes.
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The post 18 Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes appeared first on Homemade Recipes.