We get it, there is an entire aisle at the grocery store dedicated to salad dressing, but not only is it easy to make your own, but you know it will be fresh, made out of real ingredients, and it will be more cost-efficient. Here are just a few of our favorite salad dressing recipes you’ll enjoy on any salad, any time.
Garlic and Herb Vinegarette
This vinaigrette may be on the lighter side, but it’s certainly not lacking in flavor. Better yet, this dressing can be thrown together at a moment’s notice with basic ingredients. Check out this recipe from The Wholesome Dish.
Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried basil leaves
- 1 tsp dried oregano leaves
- 1 tsp dried parsley leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
Instructions:
- Add all of the ingredients to a mason jar with a lid, or any small sealable container.
- Seal and shake until well combined.
- Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve drizzled over salad.
- Shake well before serving.
Jalapeno Mango Cilantro
A little sweet, a little spicy, and a whole lot healthy, this jalapeno mango cilantro dressing is sure to add a kick to your salad. Check out this recipe from Ambitious Kitchen.
Ingredients:
- 1 small ripe mango, pureed (can also use baby food puree for ease!)
- 1 jalapeño, very finely minced
- ¼ cup cilantro, very finely diced
- ½ lime, juiced
- 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Water to thin, if necessary
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients to a bowl or a mason jar and mix until well combined. You can also use a blender and blend until smooth. If using a mason jar, you can simply put the lid on and shake the jar until well combined. Dressing serves 4.
Chipotle Ranch
What do you get when you mix chipotle sauce and ranch? Magic. Whip some up to keep on hand for salads and literally anything else you put ranch on. Check out this recipe from Love and Lemons.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup whole milk Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 chipotle pepper from a can of chipotles in adobo sauce
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp dried dill
- ¼ tsp sea salt
Instructions:
- In a food processor, place the yogurt, mayo, chipotle pepper, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, dill, salt, and blend until smooth.
Cilantro Lime Vinegar
Fresh cilantro and fresh lime blend beautifully in this dressing to create not only a salad dressing, but this dressing actually doubles as a marinade. And since it only takes about 5 minutes to whip up, it’s an all-around win in our book Check out this recipe from Chisel and Fork.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup fresh cilantro
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 2 Tbsp white vinegar
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- 2 Tbsp water (if needed to thin out)
Instructions:
- Place all ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth and emulsified. Add water if you need to thin out. Store in refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Blueberry Vinegarette
Our last dressing recipe is a little bit on the daring side. Smashed blueberries, honey, champagne, and a few other pantry staples work together to create a bright, sweet, and flavorful dressing. Check out this recipe from A Southern Soul.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup “smashed” blueberries
- ¼ cup champagne or balsamic vinegar
- 3 Tbsp honey
- 1 Tbsp fresh squeezed lemon
- ½ cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Place vinegar, honey, and lemon juice in a sealable jar or container. Swirl ingredients to mix.
- In another bowl, pulse blueberries with a stick blender or put them into a zip-top bag and smash them with a rolling pen.
- Add blueberries and olive oil to the mason jar, screw on top, and shake well to blend.