10 Creative and Easy Ways to Make Homemade Salad Dressings

10 Creative and Easy Ways to Make Homemade Salad Dressings

Salads are boring – said no one ever after trying some of the fun and flavorful homemade dressings we're about to share! Making your own salad dressings from scratch is not only an easy way to add excitement to your salads, but also a healthy way to control the ingredients and flavors.

So let's dive into some creative and delicious homemade salad dressings that will liven up your salads and make you love them even more!

1. Honey Mustard Dressing

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

  1. In a bowl, whisk together the honey, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar.
  2. Slowly add olive oil, whisking continuously until well combined.
  3. Add salt and pepper to taste.

2. Creamy Avocado Dressing

Ingredients:

  • 1 ripe avocado
  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Water, to thin if needed

Preparation:

  1. In a blender or food processor, combine the avocado, Greek yogurt, lime juice, garlic, and cilantro.
  2. Blend until smooth, adding water to thin if needed.
  3. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

3. Lemon-Parmesan Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

  1. In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, and garlic.
  2. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

4. Balsamic-Honey Mustard Dressing

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

  1. In a bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard.
  2. Slowly add olive oil, whisking continuously until well combined.
  3. Add salt and pepper to taste.

5. Sesame-Ginger Dressing

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon grated ginger
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

  1. In a bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic.
  2. Slowly add olive oil, whisking continuously until well combined.
  3. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. Orange Cranberry Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

  1. In a bowl, whisk together the orange juice, balsamic vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard.
  2. Slowly add olive oil, whisking continuously until well combined.
  3. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Bonus tip: This dressing goes particularly well with spinach, arugula, and mixed greens topped with dried cranberries and nuts.

7. Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon chopped dill
  • 1 tablespoon chopped chives
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

  1. In a bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, buttermilk, dill, chives, and garlic.
  2. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

8. Spicy Peanut Dressing

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon Sriracha sauce
  • 1/4 cup water

Preparation:

  1. In a bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, and Sriracha sauce.
  2. Slowly add water, whisking continuously until well combined.
  3. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

9. Red Wine Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

  1. In a bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and garlic.
  2. Slowly add olive oil, whisking continuously until well combined.
  3. Add salt and pepper to taste.

10. Cilantro-Lime Dressing

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

  1. In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, garlic, and cilantro.
  2. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Tip: This dressing is perfect for tacos, fajitas, and Mexican-style salads.

Try these homemade salad dressings and transform your salads into delicious and exciting meals. Don't be limited by these recipes, get creative and experiment with different flavors, herbs, and spices to find your perfect dressing. With such simple recipes, you'll never have a boring salad again!