4 Healthy Homemade Salad Dressing that are quick and easy to make using simple ingredients. Everything from a classic balsamic dressing to a zesty cilantro lime – each of these light dressings will brighten up an everyday salad.
4 Healthy Homemade Salad Dressing
I’m a salad girl through and through. When I was pregnant with both of my kids the intense salad cravings was real. So were my milkshake cravings. haha. So I guess they balanced each other out.
What I love about salads is, not only is it a great way to get your greens in for the day. But it’s super easy to turn that pile of spinach into a meal by adding in a little protein, grains or healthy fats! The kids won’t even know it’s a salad because it’s covered in all the yummy “extras.” So, because of that we eat salads super often as a family. Especially during the warmer months.
Now, if you have a rocking salad you need to make sure you have a rocking dressing to go with it! So, today I’m sharing 4 Easy Homemade Salad Dressings to keep on hand for those salad cravings!
Why make homemade your own salad dressing?
Most store bought salad dressing are loaded with extra fats, sodium and obviously preservatives that help keep the dressing shelf stable. When you make your own dressing, you are in control. You know exactly how much salt is in the dressing, can make it as thick or thin as you’d like. Plus it’s cheaper.
Salad Dressings in this Post:
If you know me, you know I’m not a creamy dressing kinda girl. So all of these dressing are vinegar and oil based. However, if you’re a creamy kinda gal then make sure to try out my Homemade Ranch Dressing or my Light Blue Cheese Dressing. Here are the dressings that will be in today’s post and the ingredients you’ll need:
- Honey Mustard Dressing: For this dressing you’ll need dijon mustard, stone ground mustard, honey, garlic, smoked paprika, olive oil, thyme, salt and pepper.
- Cilantro Lime Dressing: To make this zesty herbaceous dressing you’ll need red onion, garlic, cilantro, olive oil, lime juice, red wine vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, cumin, smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
- Asian Dressing: This dressing has a sesame oil base. For this dressing you’ll need sesame oil, avocado oil, rice wine vinegar, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, ginger, sriracha, sesame seeds, honey and tamari (or soy sauce).
- Balsamic Dressing: This one is a classic. For my balsamic dressing you’ll need garlic, thyme, basil, stone ground mustard, honey, a good balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper.
How to make homemade salad dressing?
Once you get started making your own dressings you’ll notice a theme in the ingredients. You’ll need the following:
- Oil – My go to oils to use are Olive, Avocado, Canola or Sesame.
- Acid – The most commonly used acid for dressings is vinegar. My go to vinegars are balsamic, red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, champagne vinegar, rice wine vinegar and white balsamic vinegar. You could also use citrus juice as the acid – like in this Light Lemon Vinaigrette.
- Emulsifier – This is key to thickening up your dressings and it also adds flavor. In most of my dressings, you’ll notice I use either mustard or honey as my emulsifier.
- Seasoning – Spice is joy of life. Add whatever you want here. Your favorite herbs or seasonings. Just make sure to add salt and pepper for flavor.
As long as you have all of these components you’re good to go. There are a few methods you can use to make your own dressings:
- Mixing Bowl: Add all the ingredients to a medium bowl, using a whisk, blend together until combined and vinegar and oil no longer separate.
- Mason Jar: Pour all of the ingredients into a mason jar. Put lid on and seal. Shake vigorously to emulsify and combine ingredients to form a dressing.
- Blender: Put all of the ingredients in a blender. Pulse until dressing is emulsified.
What do you store your homemade salad dressings in?
My favorite way to store salad dressings is in a mason jar. It’s easy, cheap, seals great and you can label it. However, if you don’t have a mason jar you could use a regular storage container like a Pyrex glass container. Honestly, anything that seals is great. I’ve used empty mustard bottles before. Be creative.
How long does salad dressing last?
If stored properly, your salad dressings should last up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Can you freeze homemade salad dressing?
Although, you can freeze salad dressings. I wouldn’t recommend it. Dressings tend deteriorate and break up once frozen.
4 Quick & Easy Homemade Salad Dressings
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
4 Healthy Homemade Salad Dressing that are quick and easy to make using simple ingredients. Everything from a classic balsamic dressing to a zesty cilantro lime – each of these light dressings will brighten up an everyday salad.
Ingredients
Honey Mustard:
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon stone ground mustard
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon dry thyme
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/3 cup honey
Cilantro Lime Dressing:
- 1 tablespoon of red onion or shallots, minced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Asian Dressing:
- 4 tablespoons sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 1/2 tablespoons tamari sauce (or soy sauce)
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 2/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons sriracha
- 2 teaspoons honey
Balsamic Dressing:
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 teasspoon dry thyme
- 1 teaspoon dry basil
- 1 tablespoon stone ground mustard
- 1/2 tablespoon honey
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
Honey Mustard Dressing:
- To a medium bowl, add dijon mustard, stone ground mustard, garlic, olive oil, smoked paprika, dry thyme, salt, pepper and honey.
- Using a whisk, mix everything together until ingredients are smooth.
Cilantro Lime Dressing:
- To a blender or food processor, add minced red onion (or shallot for a milder taste), garlic, cilantro, olive oil, lime juice, red wine vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, salt, cumin, smoked paprika and black.
- Pulse the blender until everything is combined and oil and vinegar no longer separate.
Asian Dressing:
- To medium bowl add sesame oil, avocado oil, lime juice, tamari sauce, rice wine vinegar, fresh cilantro, ginger, garlic, sriracha and honey.
- Using a whisk, mix everything together until smooth and emulsified.
Balsamic Dressing:
- To a medium bowl, add garlic, thyme, basil, stone ground mustard, honey, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Whisk together until combined.
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