Salad dressing recipes can improve the flavor and nutritional value of meals while helping support a balanced diet. Options like yogurt and Parmesan, lemon and mustard, and passion fruit dressings offer simple ways to make meals more enjoyable.
These salad dressing recipes can also be used in dishes like roasted vegetables, pasta, meat, fish, and sandwiches. Preparing dressings at home helps avoid additives like preservatives and artificial colors while allowing better control over ingredients.
Homemade salad dressing recipes can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days to up to one week, depending on the ingredients used. This collection includes a variety of easy options, from creamy yogurt-based dressings to light vinaigrettes and flavorful pesto.
Some healthy homemade salad dressing recipes include:
1. Yogurt and Parmesan dressing
Ingredients:
-
2 cups plain nonfat yogurt
-
200 g (about 7 oz) grated Parmesan cheese
-
1 garlic clove, minced
-
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
-
3 tablespoons olive oil
-
1 ½ tablespoons white vinegar
-
Salt to taste
Directions:
Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend for 2 minutes, or until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
2. Lemon and mustard dressing
Ingredients:
-
Juice of 1 lemon
-
1 tablespoon mustard
-
2 tablespoons olive oil
-
1 teaspoon oregano
-
2 medium garlic cloves, crushed
-
Salt to taste
Directions:
Mix all ingredients well with a spoon in a container with a lid. Let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
3. Olive oil and lemon dressing
Ingredients:
-
2 tablespoons lemon juice
-
¼ cup olive oil
-
Salt and black pepper to taste
Directions:
Place all ingredients in a container with a lid. Extra virgin olive oil may solidify in the refrigerator, so remove the dressing about 1 hour before using it and shake well to combine again before serving. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
According to the American Heart Association, replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats such as olive oil can help lower bad cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
4. Pesto dressing
Ingredients:
-
1 cup fresh basil leaves, washed and dried
-
10 walnuts
-
60 g (about 2 oz) Parmesan cheese
-
150 mL (about ⅔ cup) olive oil
-
2 garlic cloves
-
Black pepper and salt to taste
Directions:
Blend all ingredients in a blender or food processor until the dressing is smooth. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
5. Passion fruit dressing
Ingredients:
-
100 mL (about 6 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons) fresh passion fruit pulp
-
1 teaspoon sugar or sweetener
-
Juice of ½ lemon
-
Salt and black pepper to taste
-
100 mL (about 6 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons) olive oil
Directions:
Blend all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
6. Caesar dressing
Ingredients:
-
85 g (about 3 oz) plain nonfat yogurt
-
1 tablespoon olive oil
-
1 tablespoon lemon juice
-
1 teaspoon mustard
-
½ garlic clove, very finely minced
-
Black pepper to taste
Directions:
Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix well with a spoon. Transfer to a container with a lid and store in the refrigerator.
This dressing can be served with Caesar salad, roasted vegetables, or potato salad, for example.
7. Quick mustard dressing
Ingredients:
-
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
-
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
-
3 tablespoons olive oil
-
Salt and black pepper to taste
Directions:
Mix all ingredients well in a bowl. Then transfer the dressing to a small container with a lid using a spoon. Serve immediately.
8. Balsamic vinegar and honey dressing
Ingredients:
-
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
-
3 tablespoons olive oil
-
½ teaspoon honey
-
Salt to taste
Directions:
Mix all ingredients well in a small container using a fork or spoon. Transfer to a container with a lid and store in the refrigerator.
9. French vinaigrette
Ingredients:
-
1 tablespoon white vinegar
-
3 tablespoons olive oil
-
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
-
½ tablespoon lemon juice
-
Salt and black pepper to taste
Directions:
Mix all ingredients well in a small container using a fork or spoon. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
10. Simple yogurt dressing
Ingredients:
-
1 cup plain yogurt
-
1 tablespoon grated onion
-
1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs
-
1 tablespoon finely chopped tomato
-
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
-
Salt and lemon juice to taste
Directions:
Mix all ingredients well in a small bowl with a spoon. Store in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
11. Honey and sesame dressing
Ingredients:
-
2 teaspoons honey
-
2 teaspoons olive oil
-
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
-
1 teaspoon mustard
-
½ teaspoon balsamic vinegar
Directions:
Mix all ingredients well in a small container using a fork or spoon. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
12. Mayonnaise dressing with olive oil
Ingredients:
-
1 egg at room temperature
-
2 tablespoons lemon juice
-
1 cup olive oil
-
½ teaspoon mustard powder
-
Salt to taste
Directions:
Add ½ cup of olive oil and the remaining ingredients to a blender or food processor. Blend for 2 minutes, or until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Add the remaining olive oil and blend for another 3 minutes. Transfer the dressing to a container with a lid and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
According to the FDA, homemade mayonnaise and similar uncooked dressings are safer when prepared with pasteurized eggs or egg products, because raw eggs may contain Salmonella.