7 Simple Homemade Salad Dressings
Once you have the basic vinaigrette down, there are so many variations you can make based on what you have on hand. That goes for my easy buttermilk ranch recipe, too! Toss in some poppy seeds, a handful of basil or a clove or 2 of garlic to add some pizazz.
Versatile Pantry Dressings
The Fresh 20 supports an unprocessed, clean diet. Bottled dressings from the story contain additives, a surprising amount of sugar, and preservatives. These 7 simple dressing recipes are full of flavor and basic ingredients you can grab from your pantry and feel good eating and serving. There is absolutely no comparison between store-bought and homemade dressings — homemade is hands down 100% more delicious.
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Easy Homemade Dressing Recipes
Here are a few multiple purpose dressings. They are all quite easy to make.
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PrintBasic Vinaigrette
- Total Time: 1 minute
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A simple, 5 ingredient vinaigrette to dress up your salads.
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients together until well blended.
- Prep Time: 1 minute
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 100
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
Italian Dressing
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 20 servings 1x
Description
An easy Italian dressing that doubles as a delicious marinade for poultry or to toss vegetables in before roasting.
Ingredients
- 1 cup olive oil
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients together until well blended.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 1g
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
Buttermilk Ranch
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
A creamy, low-fat, versatile dressing for dipping, dressing salads, and topping entrees.
Ingredients
- 1 clove garlic, minced or pressed
- 2 chives, finely chopped
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup nonfat, plain Greek yogurt
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/3 cup flat leaf parsley, finely chopped
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl.
- Whisk to until well blended.
- Chill until ready to use.
- Store in fridge for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 15
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Protein: 2
Onion Dressing
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings 1x
Description
An easy vinaigrette dressing packed with delicious onion flavor. Excellent for marinading poultry.
Ingredients
- 1/2 tablespoon finely minced or grated onion
- 1/2 tablespoon Dijon-type mustard
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/3 to 1/2 cup excellent olive oil
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients until well-blended.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 90
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
Mayonnaise
- Total Time: 5 minutes
Description
A creamy, all natural homemade mayonnaise
Ingredients
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 1 Teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 Teaspoon lemon juice
- 3/4 cup avocado or vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Whisk yolks, Dijon and lemon until well blended, frothy and light in color.
By hand – 3 minutes, by mixer – 1 minute - Very slowly drizzle in oil a little at a time, mixing or whisking until mayo stiffens.
- Add up to 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Refrigerate for up to one week.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 100
- Sodium: 115mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Honey Mustard
- Total Time: 1 minute
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
Description
A tangy and sweet 4-ingredient classic honey mustard dressing
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons mustard
- 2 Tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients together until well blended.
- Prep Time: 1 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 55mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Paleo Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 Tablespoon raw honey
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Herbes de Provence
- ¾ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup olive oil
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients together until well blended.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Carbohydrates: 3g