Knowing how to make your own Greek Salad Dressing is a quick and easy way to add loads of authentic flavor to dishes. This traditional recipe only needs olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and oregano. Try the best homemade vinaigrette dressing on any Mediterranean meal you make.
Homemade salad dressings are the secret to any good pasta, kale, and spinach salad.
What most people don’t know is how simple they are to whip up!
Take this Greek Pasta Salad Dressing, for example.
You toss the ingredients in a blender, turn it on, and in less than 5 minutes you’ve got yourself a healthy, flavor-packed dressing!
You only need a few simple ingredients that are likely already in your pantry. If you have red wine vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, and few herbs, then that’s everything you need for this vinaigrette.
While using it up on a big green salad my be your initial instinct, don’t stop there! It also tastes incredible in this Greek Pasta Salad, in this Cucumber Tomato Salad, or this Mediterranean Couscous Salad! Or, try it as a marinade for grilled chicken!
Ingredients
The simple ingredients you need to make this Greek Dressing Recipe include:
- Oil. You need a good quality one, like extra-virgin olive oil. This makes up the majority of the flavor profile, so you want to like it! You can also use avocado oil.
- Vinegar. Red wine vinegar gives this dressing that classic Greek taste. You can also sub with apple cider vinegar, but it won’t have the same flavor.
- Sweetener. Honey is used in this recipe, but you can try out agave nectar, sugar, or leave it out completely.
- Garlic. Fresh is best, be sure to mince the garlic cloves. You can also use ¼ teaspoon garlic powder if that’s what you have.
- Mustard. One teaspoon Dijon mustard is what adds the best flavor and helps the dressing emulsify. If necessary, you can sub yellow, but it will change the flavor drastically.
- Herbs. Use a mix of dried oregano, parsley, and basil for that Mediterranean flavor. You can leave out one, but a blend of the three gives a more interesting taste. Fresh herbs go nicely as well, but you need to double the amount since dried are more potent than fresh.
How to Make Greek Dressing
These are the steps to follow to make the best Greek Salad Dressing recipe:
Mix in Blender
There are a couple ways to make this easy Greek Salad Dressing. The first is to use a high-speed blender or food processor. This is the easiest option and creates a super smooth vinaigrette.
Add all dressing ingredients to the cup of a high-speed blender or food processor. Blend for 10-20 seconds, or until emulsified.
Bowl or Jar
If you don’t have a blender, you can make this dressing by hand two different ways.
The first option is to combine all the ingredients in a Mason jar, or any other one with a tight-fitting lid. Vigorously shake for 15 to 20 seconds until everything is blended.
Or, add the ingredients to a large bowl. Then, use a whisk for 15 to 20 seconds to thoroughly mix everything.
Serve it Up
This dressing is delicious on SO MANY dishes! The tangy flavor is perfect on a regular Greek salad or pasta salad. It perfectly complements the tomatoes, red onion, kalamata olives, and Feta cheese. Don’t forget the homemade croutons!
Or, keep the leftovers in the fridge until you’re ready to use!
Meal Prep and Storage
- To Prep-Ahead: This dressing stores beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- To Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks in the fridge.
- To Freeze: The best way to freeze salad dressing is in ice cube trays. Fill up each section and allow it to freeze for a couple of hours. Then, store the frozen cubes in a zip-top bag.
Dietary Modifications
The recipe you’ll find below is already vegetarian, gluten-free, Paleo, nut-free, and dairy free as written. Here are some adjustments and substitutions you can make to help it fit your other dietary requirements:
- Low-Carb and Keto: Opt for liquid stevia instead of the honey, or leave it out completely.
- Whole30: Leave out the honey.
- Vegan: Use agave nectar or pure maple syrup in place of the honey.
FAQs
Greek salad dressing usually contains olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, and herbs.
Greek and Italian dressing are actually quite similar. The main difference between the two is that Italian dressing has lemon juice and/or zest while Greek does not. Also, Greek dressing relies on a combination of herbs while Italian often only has oregano.
Greek or Mediterranean salad are usually quite good for you! They are often low in calories but full of healthy nutrients like Vitamin A and C, calcium, potassium, and iron.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Aim high. A good quality olive oil is best as this ingredient adds so much flavor.
- Go red. Red wine vinegar will yield the most authentic flavor.
- Don’t forget the herbs. A combination oregano, parsley, and basil are super delicious. Try to incorporate all three if you’re able.
- Blend it. Quickly processing the ingredients in a Nutribullet or other blender will help the ingredients to completely emulsify and combine together. (Something a bowl and a whisk simply cannot do!)
- Double it up. Simply double the batch and have extra ready to enjoy all week long!
Recipes that Use Greek Dressing
This Greek Dressing Recipe goes FANTASTIC with any of these dishes:
- Mediterranean Couscous Salad
- Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
- Greek Chicken Shish Kabobs (as a marinade)
More Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes
Once you see how easy it is to make your own dressings, try these recipes next:
- Ranch Dressing
- Avocado Ranch Dressing
- Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing
- Lemon Tahini Dressing
- Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
- Olive Garden Italian Dressing
- Honey Mustard Dressing
Greek Salad Dressing Recipe
Knowing how to make your own Greek Salad Dressing is a quick and easy way to add loads of authentic flavor to dishes. This traditional recipe only needs olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and oregano.
Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil
- 3 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
- 2 tsp. honey optional
- 1 clove garlic finely minced
- 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
- ¼ tsp. each of oregano parsley, and basil, dried
- ¼ tsp. salt to taste
- ⅛ tsp. black pepper to taste
Instructions
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Add all dressing ingredients to the cup of a high-speed blender or food processor. Blend for 10-20 seconds, or until emulsified.
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Alternatively, place the ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and whisk for 30-60 seconds, or until well combined.
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Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
- One serving equals 2 tablespoons of dressing.
Meal Prep and Storage
- To Prep-Ahead: This dressing stores beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- To Store: Keep dressing in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks in the fridge.
- To Freeze: The best way to freeze leftover salad dressing is in ice cube trays. Fill up each section and allow it to freeze for a couple of hours. Then, store the frozen cubes in a zip-top bag.
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