Salads are a healthy option if you’re trying to eat right. But if you don’t have the perfect dressing for them, salads don’t taste great. There are several salad dressings available in the market, but they are not as healthy as homemade dressings.
We’ve put together a collection of delicious and easy salad dressings so that you never go back to the store-bought ones. Here are 10 types of salad dressings which will spice up your healthy salads.
1. Balsamic vinaigrette dressing
This dressing is a classic. The kind that we like to shake up and store in a jar to use later. And it works with several different kinds of salads. Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
3/4th cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4th cup balsamic vinegar
Salt
Freshly ground pepper
Method:
Combine all the ingredients in a jar and shake it vigorously. Taste the dressing to see if it needs any adjustments. If the dressing tastes too sharp, add more oil. If it tastes too dense, add more balsamic vinegar. You can also add mustard, garlic, herbs, honey or brown sugar.
Image Source
2. Ranch dressing
If you are a die-hard mayonnaise fan, this dressing is for you, but with a twist. Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream or buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon dried chives
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Method:
Get a large bowl and put all the ingredients in it. Whisk till they are combined well. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Serve cold.
Image Source
3. Honey mustard dressing
A rather versatile dressing, this one goes equally well with green salads, steamed veggies, chicken, fish, and meats. Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Method:
In a medium to a large bowl, combine the mustard, vinegar, honey, and salt. Add the oil gradually while whisking to make the dressing creamy. Store in the refrigerator and use it for up to 3 days.
Image Source
4. Coconut cream dressing
Jazz up your greens with this slightly sweet, slightly tart dressing. Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
1 can cream of coconut
1/4 cup cider vinegar
20 gms of dry Italian salad dressing mix
Method:
Add all ingredients in a small bowl. Keep mixing till the ingredients are well combined. Store in a refrigerator, and serve chilled.
Image Source
5. Italian dressing
Make your salad zesty and flavourful with this easy-to-make salad dressing. Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
6 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
Dried oregano
Method:
Whisk all the ingredients in a small to medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Store in refrigerator and use it over the next 24 hours.
Image Source
6. Zesty lemon dressing
A light touch of grated lemon peel is like a splash of sunshine to your taste buds. This citrusy dressing, when added to the freshness of a homemade salad, makes for the perfect combination! Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
1/4 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon chopped scallions
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon dried dill
Method:
Get a bottle or a jar with a tight lid. Put all the ingredients in the bottle and shake it well.
Image Source
7. Agrodolce dressing
Agrodolce, which means ‘sweet and sour’, is a great dressing for salads. It’s made with vinegar, red wine, sugar and garlic, and if done right, it can be the most addictive flavor combination. The balance of flavor here is actually quite difficult to master but is absolutely worth the effort. Here is the complete recipe to make it from scratch.
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons sugar
3/4 cup dry red wine
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons minced garlic
3/4 teaspoon black peppercorns
3/4 teaspoon chopped rosemary leaves
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
Salt
Method:
Put 3 tablespoons of sugar in a small saucepan. Shake pan over high heat, don’t stir. Do this for about 3 minutes or until the sugar is liquefied and changes color. Take the pan off the heat and add the dry red wine and balsamic vinegar. At this point, the sugar will harden. Put the pan back on the flame. Add minced garlic, black peppercorns, rosemary leaves, and salt. Stir for about 5 minutes or until the sugar melts again and the mixture reduces to about 3/4 cup. Take it off the heat and leave the mixture for about 2 hours. Pour it into a small bowl through a fine strainer. Whisk in the olive oil and lime juice. Serve fresh.
Image Source
8. Apple cider vinegar dressing
With all the goodness of apple cider vinegar, this dressing is definitely a hit. And it can be used for marination purposes as well. Go ahead and check out the recipe.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
Sea salt and pepper, to taste
Method:
Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend till everything is combined. You can also add all the ingredients to a jar and shake it well. Add salt and pepper, and store it in a jar in the refrigerator.
Image Source
9. Ginger turmeric dressing
Ginger and turmeric have numerous health benefits and make for a zesty salad dressing. This dressing works best with bean salads, vegetable bowls, and mixed greens. Follow the method given below for the recipe.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon honey (optional)
Method:
Mix all the ingredients together till they are combined, and add honey if you want to sweeten it. Store the dressing in a jar and refrigerate.
Image Source
10. Avocado cilantro-lime dressing
It is the perfect blend of tangy, creamy and healthy. This is one of the easiest go-to salad dressings for any kind of salad. It can also be used as a dip. Follow the steps given below for this easy recipe.
Ingredients:
1 avocado, pitted and peeled
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 cup plain almond milk
1 cilantro bunch, leaves only
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon lime juice
Method:
Combine the avocado, plain Greek yogurt, fresh cilantro leaves, garlic powder, sea salt, lime juice, and almond milk in a blender. Blend till everything is combined. If the consistency is too thick, add some more almond milk.
When healthy eating is this tasty, why would you ever eat any junk food again? The easiest way to do this is to have easy access to the right ingredients at all times. Click here for a list of herbs that you can easily grow in your kitchen.
