10 Favorite Salad Dressing Recipes (2024)

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Here are 10 of my favorite everyday salad dressing recipes. They’re perfect for tossing with all sorts of salads, andalso double as easysauces for dipping or drizzling.

10 Favorite Salad Dressing Recipes (1)

After sharing dozens and dozens of salad recipes with you over the years, I thought it would be fun to do something different today and share the 10 saladdressing recipesthat have become my go-to favorites over the years.

You know, thosetried-and-true dressings that I’ve made zillionsof times and know by heart and can whip up in a snap.

The ones that never fail. ? ? ?

As you can see, this collectioncovers a pretty wide range of cuisines and flavor profiles. So I think there should be something here for just about any salad you might be craving. And — bonus! — I realized after taking this photo that each of these dressings also happen to benaturally gluten-free. Mostly, though, I love each of these recipes becausethey don’t include any of those pesky additives in many store-bought dressings, they’re all totally quick and easy to make, and they’re alltotally delicious.

Here they are!

Pomegranate Vinaigrette:First up is this simple pomegranate vinaigrette. I know that raspberry vinaigrettes are traditionally more popular, but to save the step of pureeing fresh (or frozen) berries, I’ve come to lovethis simpler tangy fruity vinaigrette that’s made with a quick pour of pomegranate juice instead. Feel free to sweeten it up a bit more if you’d like (I prefer mine pretty tangy). And if you don’t have pom juice on hand, cranberry juice also works well as a substitute.

Italian Red Wine Vinaigrette:As evidenced by so many of the salad recipes here on this blog, this classic vinaigrette is probably the #1 dressing that I use in my kitchen. It’s quick and easy to make, easy to customize for different flavor profiles, and it has a way of magically complimenting just about any salad.

Chipotle Honey Dressing:Inspired by the famous dressing atthe burrito chain itself, this yummy dressing is packed with all kinds of savory andtangy and slightly-smoky flavors that will compliment just about any Mexican-themed salad.

Ginger Carrot Dressing:Barclay and I have a tradition of going out for sushi every Monday night. And after having ordered a side salad with this ginger carrot dressingat least 100 times, I finally decided it was time to learn how to make it myself last year. So for anyone else who loves this Japanese favorite,you’ve gotta try it!

4-Ingredient Honey Mustard Dressing:Did you know that all you need are 4 basic ingredients to make this classic dressing? (Or honey mustard sauce, if you want a dipper?) There are all sorts of extra ways you can customize it, but the base recipe issupersimple.

Avocado Cilantro Dressing:Or, as I like to call it, “guacamole dressing”. This easy creamy dressingis basically my excuse to have a little guac with my salad. Although if you’d like to give it a more all-purpose flavorprofile, it also tastes delicious using fresh parsley +lemon juice instead of cilantro +lime juice.

Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette:Every salad lover needs a good balsamic vinaigrette recipe in their back pocket, and this is my go-to favorite. It’s slightly sweetened with maple syrup instead of sugar, made with extra amounts of tangy balsamic, and always hits the spot.

Thai Peanut Dressing:I’ve improvised all sorts of peanut dressings over the years, some more spicy, some more sesame-y, some more lime-y, etc. etc. But when I want a well-balanced Thai peanut dressing, this recipe is my favorite. It’s easy to make in the blender or food processor, although you can also just whisk it by hand if you’d like.

Dreamy Tahini Dressing:I’ve been a fan of lemon-tahini dressings ever since I firsttried and the magicalkale salad dressing at The Westside Local in Kansas City years ago. I’ve played around with random variations of this dressingover the years, but really, you can never go wrong with this base recipe.

Greek Yogurt Caesar Dressing:This recipe has been on the blog for a few years now, and always gets great reviews. It’s rich and creamy and everything you love about a good Caesar…just lightened up with Greek yogurt instead of mayo. Always a win.

Also, for anyone who may ask, I used these mini mason jarsin the top photo, and these small Weck juice jars for the individual recipephotos. (<– affiliate links?)

Happy dressing, everyone!

10 Favorite Salad Dressing Recipes (12)

posted on August 28, 2017 by Ali

Salad Dressings, Salads

54 Comments »

10 Favorite Salad Dressing Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What are the top 10 salad dressings? ›

Whether tossed in a simple salad or used as a dipping sauce, it's no secret the world loves salad dressings.
  1. Ranch (U.S.) ...
  2. Avocado cilantro lime (Mexico) ...
  3. French vinaigrette (France) ...
  4. Tahini (Middle East) ...
  5. Louis dressing (U.S.) ...
  6. Oil and vinegar (Italy) ...
  7. Thousand island (Canada and Northeast U.S.) ...
  8. Wafu (Japan)
Jul 31, 2023

What is the number one healthiest salad dressing? ›

Generally speaking, the healthiest salad dressing will be a vinaigrette like balsamic or oil and vinegar, while Caesar, ranch or anything with the word “creamy” will be the unhealthiest. The exception? We like products made with healthy swaps—think Greek yogurt in place of mayo or heavy cream.

What is the oldest salad dressing? ›

French dressing is the oldest one on our list, but vinegar and oil dressing goes back nearly two-thousand years to ancient Babylonia.

What are the 5 most popular salad dressings in the world? ›

Most Famous Dressings in the World
  1. Ranch Dressing. The ranch is a salad dressing or dip made with buttermilk, salt, garlic, onions, herbs (dill, parsley, chives, etc.), and spices (mustard seeds, black pepper, paprika, etc.) ...
  2. Fry Sauce. ...
  3. Chermoula. ...
  4. Blue Cheese Dressing. ...
  5. Thousand Island Dressing. ...
  6. Italian Dressing.

What are the 5 most popular salad dressings? ›

We'll also touch upon homemade versus store-bought options, offering recommendations based on regional preferences and pairing ideas.
  • Key Takeaways. ...
  • Ranch Dressing. ...
  • Caesar Dressing. ...
  • Italian Dressing. ...
  • Balsamic Vinaigrette. ...
  • Thousand Island Dressing. ...
  • The Flavor Profiles That Americans Love. ...
  • Versatility For Different Salads.
Nov 25, 2023

What is the most unhealthy salad dressing? ›

Caesar dressing. Made up of mayonnaise, cheese, salt and oil (and all too often, anchovies), Caesar tends to be one of the least healthy options out there. Those ingredients cause it to be high in both saturated fats and sodium.

What is the most requested salad dressing? ›

Ranch Dressing

The ranch is hands down America's most beloved salad dressings. It is made from a number of ingredients such as buttermilk, mayonnaise, mustard, garlic, onion, chives, salt, and pepper.

What to avoid in salad for weight loss? ›

Crunchy Noodles, Wontons, and Tortilla Strips

All they add to your salad are calories (around 120 per half cup) and fat (half of those calories, at around 60 grams). Same goes for tortilla strips or wontons.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when making vinaigrette? ›

12 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Making Homemade Vinaigrette
  • Estimating measurements for all ingredients. inspiredbyart/Shutterstock. ...
  • Using the wrong oil. ...
  • Using the wrong vinegar. ...
  • Leaving out the emulsifier. ...
  • Skipping the mustard. ...
  • Forgetting to check expiration dates. ...
  • Not using fresh herbs. ...
  • Using vinaigrette only on salad.
Aug 18, 2022

What is Greek vinaigrette made of? ›

Mix olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, basil, pepper, salt, onion powder, and Dijon-style mustard together in a very large container. Pour in vinegar slowly while mixing vigorously until well blended. Store tightly covered at room temperature. Pour over salad and enjoy!

Is Thousand Island just ketchup and mayo? ›

Thousand Island dressing is an American salad dressing and condiment based on mayonnaise that can include olive oil, lemon juice, orange juice, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, vinegar, cream, chili sauce, tomato purée, and ketchup or Tabasco sauce.

Did Paul Newman make salad dressing? ›

One dressing started it all

In 1980 Paul Newman and his friend A.E. Hotchner decided to give friends homemade dressing in old wine bottles for the holidays. Their friends loved it and wanted more. Two years later, Newman's Own Salad Dressing officially launched, generating over $300,000 in first-year profits.

Can you eat a year old salad dressing? ›

However, if the dressing is significantly past the expiration date, or if there are any signs of spoilage (such as an off smell, appearance, or taste), it should be discarded.

Which salad dressing is the best? ›

The Best Balsamic Vinaigrette
  • Best Honey Mustard If You Have a Sweet Tooth: Ken's Steak House Honey Dijon Dressing.
  • The Best Ranch Dressing: Hidden Valley Ranch.
  • The Surprising Runner Up: Litehouse Homestyle Ranch.
  • The Best Thousand Island Dressing: Marzetti Thousand Island Dressing.

What is the best salad dressing to buy? ›

According to our expert sources, these eight dressings — all of which can be found at supermarkets nationwide — are worth keeping in your pantry or fridge. Left to right: Newman's Own Lemon Basil Vinaigrette, Hidden Valley Ranch, Makoto Original Ginger Dressing and Trader Joe's Green Goddess.

What are the 4 primary dressing types used on salads? ›

The four main salad dressings are vinaigrette, emulsified vinaigrette, mayonnaise-based, and mayonnaise. An emulsion is the permanent blending of unlike ingredients, such as oil and vinegar. Vinaigrettes are lighter dressings used on more delicate ingredients, like salad greens.

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