Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes

Healthy Homemade Salad Dressings

Most people don’t know that the trick to a DELICIOUS salad is all in the dressing!

Making healthy salad dressing recipes at home, whether simple vinaigrettes or creamy sauces, is actually so much easier than you might think!

Buying packaged bottles may seem like a quick alternative, but they’re often loaded with unhealthy ingredients. (Chemicals, preservatives, and canola oil—just to name a few!)

Instead, you can make your own homemade recipes in less than 10 minutes and with simple, easy to find ingredients. In fact, you probably already have most of what you need on hand!

Simple Vinaigrette Dressing Recipes

1. Balsamic Vinaigrette

Learning how to make this Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing was my first foray into the world of homemade salad dressings. It is super easy to make and tastes great on just about anything! Try it out in this Roasted Beet Salad, this Steak Salad Recipe, or in this Arugula Fig Salad.

2. Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

You only need 5 ingredients and 5 minutes to whip up this zesty and easy Honey Mustard Vinaigrette. It’s perfect on salads, but it takes chicken nuggets to a whole new level! Try it on Healthy Chicken Tenders or Hot Honey Chicken, or drizzle it on a Cobb Salad.

3. Apple Cider Vinaigrette

Whip up a dressing that is super easy AND so good for you with this Apple Cider Vinaigrette. Once you’ve tried this recipe, you’ll be pouring it over everything. Use it as a marinade for Spatchcock Chicken, or serve it over a Fall Harvest Salad or a Chopped Kale Salad.

4. Lemon Vinaigrette

Fresh-squeezed lemon juice is the secret ingredient that makes this Lemon Vinaigrette irresistible! Fair warning, you might find yourself pouring this light and refreshing recipe on everything. It’s delicious on a Fresh Peach Salad, Lemon Arugula Salad, or a Massaged Kale Salad.

5. Olive Garden Italian Dressing

You won’t even miss the restaurant salads when you make this Olive Garden Italian Dressing Recipe at home in your own kitchen. In fact, you may never buy another dressing when you realize how easy it is to make a batch yourself. Use it as a marinade for Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs, season Italian Roasted Vegetables, or to dress a Fall Harvest Salad.

6. Greek Salad Dressing Recipe

You won’t believe the rich and herby flavors of this Greek Salad Dressing. You only need a few simple ingredients to make the perfect marinade or dressing to use year-round. This can used to season Greek Chicken Shish Kabobs, or drizzle it over a Greek Pasta Salad or a Mediterranean Chickpea Salad.

Creamy Salad Dressing Recipes

7. Ranch Dressing Recipe

Who knew it was so easy to make your own creamy, herby, and super versatile Ranch Dressing? Of course, it’s perfect on a salad. But if you’re one of many who love dipping everything in ranch, we have you covered. Serve it with Baked BBQ Chicken Breast or Air Fryer Homemade Chicken Nuggets, or drizzle it over a Chopped Kale Salad.

8. Cobb Salad Dressing

This isn’t your grandma’s Cobb Salad Dressing! Smooth, zesty, and the perfect blend of flavors, this dressing is the best way to top your favorite salads. Of course, it’s delicious on a BBQ Chicken Cobb Salad or Chicken Cobb Salad with Kale, or branch out and serve it over a Fall Harvest Salad.

9. Avocado Ranch Dressing

Take your plain ol’ ranch to a whole new level with this Avocado Ranch Dressing. It’s insanely easy to make, goes with everything, and it’s vegan! While you can absolutely pour it over a salad, you will love it on Air Fryer French Fries, Avocado Fries, or on these Blackened Fish Tacos.

10. Tahini Salad Dressing Recipe

This Tahini Salad Dressing gets its flavor from fresh lemon, maple syrup, garlic, ginger, and (of course) tahini! Its nutty and rich flavor pairs well with both sweet and savory salads. Try it on veggies, like Roasted Cauliflower, on a salad like this Lemon Arugula Salad, or even with Baba Ganoush!

11. Thousand Island Salad Dressing

Though salad dressing is in the name, this Thousand Island is good with just about everything! From fries and burgers to veggies and tacos, (and of course salads) you’ll find yourself grabbing this dressing over and over again. Drizzle it over this Reuben in a Bowl, Corned Beef Hash, or an Air Fryer Hamburger.

12. Caesar Salad Dressing

So many shy away from making this classic dressing thinking it’s difficult–I’m here to tell you it’s not! You only need a few minutes along with some flavor-packed ingredients and you’ll be impressing friends and family any night of the week. Serve it over a Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons, or use it as a marinade for Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs.

Unique Salad Dressing Recipes

13. Peanut Butter Dressing

Salty but still a little bit sweet, this Peanut Butter Dressing is the perfect pair to Asian salads and appetizers. Easily tone the spiciness up or down, and enjoy this dressing with your favorite dishes. Drizzle it over this Thai Basil Chicken or Thai Quinoa Salad, or serve it as a dipping sauce for these Thai Chicken Wings.

14. Cilantro Lime Dressing

While I initially created this Cilantro Lime Dressing for a Mexican Quinoa Salad, I find myself reaching for it over and over again. It’s one of my favorite dressings when I’m digging into a salad on taco night, and it’s perfect as a marinade. Check it out with Shredded Chicken Tacos, dip Chicken Taquitos into it, or drizzle it over Steak Fajitas.

15. Spicy Cashew Dressing

This Spicy Cashew Dressing is not only easy and creamy, it’s ready in under 5 minutes. The rich flavors from the hot sauce and the cilantro help this dressing hold up to salads, proteins, veggies, and bowls. Serve it with a Harvest Bowl, Fresh Peach Salad, or even Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs.

16. Green Goddess Dressing

If you’ve never had Green Goddess Dressing, you are seriously missing out! It is so creamy and smooth, yet perfectly balanced with rich, herby flavors. I’m warning you now, make a big batch because it goes with everything! Try it on a Fresh Peach Salad, with Spatchcock Chicken, or Air Fryer Shrimp.

17. Lemon Basil Vinaigrette

This bright and clean Lemon Basil Vinaigrette screams summer and warm weather, but you can definitely enjoy it all year. This vegan recipe is great on a salad, but be sure to try it with a sandwich or a quinoa bowl! It’s great on this Summer Quinoa Salad or Sweet Potato Broccoli Quinoa Bowl, or drizzle it over a Lemon Arugula Salad.

How long do homemade salad dressings last?

Depending on the type, homemade salad dressings can last anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks in an airtight container in the fridge. Recipes with fresh ingredients will keep for up to 1 week in the refrigerator. Those with non-perishable ingredients will last longer.

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