Whenever someone mentions healthy food, people often assume that salads are the main course. But let me tell you a secret - I'm not a big fan of salads either. Just throwing a bunch of greens together doesn't excite me. However, there is one thing that can make a salad truly delicious - a fantastic dressing.
For me, a good salad needs to have a mix of flavors, textures, and a really great dressing. Vegetables on their own can be a bit dull, but with the right dressing, they come alive. Even my two-year-old happily devours cucumbers and tomatoes when they're dipped in the Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing you'll find below.
Eight different salad dressings in swing-top bottles on a marble countertop.
Why Should You Make Your Own Salad Dressings?
Making salad dressings at home is incredibly easy, and it's a useful skill to have. Not only will it save you money, but it also allows you to have complete control over the ingredients. Have you ever checked the ingredient lists on store-bought dressings? Many of them are filled with artificial colors and flavors that are simply unnecessary.
But my favorite part about making homemade dressings is the ability to customize the taste to your liking. Once you find your "house dressing" that suits your family's taste buds, you'll always have that recipe in your pocket.
A hand pours homemade balsamic vinaigrette over a side salad.
What Ingredients Do You Need?
Below, I'm sharing fifteen of my favorite simple, easy, and healthy salad dressing recipes that you can make at home. The best part is, you probably already have most of the ingredients in your pantry and fridge - no need to go to a specialty store.
For most salad dressings, you'll need:
- Something acidic - Lemon juice, lime juice, balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or white wine vinegar are all great choices.
- Some fat - Oil is a standard ingredient in most vinaigrette-style dressings. I recommend using a mildly-flavored oil that won't overpower the dressing. Extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil are my top picks.
- Something sweet - A touch of sweetness can bring all the flavors together. Honey is my go-to, but you can also use maple syrup, agave, or even a bit of granulated sugar.
- Salt, pepper, garlic, and other herbs and spices - Don't forget to enhance the flavor with some seasoning. Salt and pepper work wonders when combined with the other ingredients.
All these recipes can be made using the jar-and-shake method. Just grab a jar with a tight-fitting lid, toss in all the ingredients, and shake vigorously until everything is well-blended. Some recipes might require a food processor or blender for a smoother result, but it's completely optional if you enjoy a chunkier dressing.
A hand holds out a half pint mason jar filled with balsamic vinaigrette.
How Long Do Homemade Salad Dressings Last?
Each recipe makes about one cup of dressing, which is enough for a few days of salads. The dressings that contain dairy should be consumed within a week. The vinaigrettes can last two or more weeks in the fridge when stored in an airtight container.
Fresh or Dried Herbs?
Each recipe provides measurements for using either fresh or dried herbs. You can use all fresh, all dried, or a combination of both. Just keep in mind that dried herbs will take a bit longer to infuse their flavors into the dressing. If you use mostly fresh ingredients, you can enjoy the dressings within 15-30 minutes. But if you opt for dried ingredients, it's better to wait 2+ hours for the flavors to fully develop.
If you master these easy salad dressing recipes, you'll never have to buy store-bought dressing again (unless you want to).
So, let's get started and elevate your salad game with these delicious dressings!
