Salads are a great way to incorporate fresh vegetables into your diet, but a boring dressing can make even the most colorful salad unappetizing. Here are 15 healthy salad dressing recipes that will add flavor and excitement to your veggies.
- Lemon Vinaigrette
Ingredients: 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 small clove garlic, minced, salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions: Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl. Drizzle over your favorite salad. - Balsamic Vinaigrette
Ingredients: 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar, 2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 small clove garlic, minced, salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions: Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl. Let sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Pour over salad. - Tahini Dressing
Ingredients: 1/4 cup tahini, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons water, 1 small clove garlic, minced, salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions: Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust consistency by adding more water if needed. Drizzle over salad. - Avocado Dressing
Ingredients: 1 ripe avocado, 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 small clove garlic, minced, salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions: Mash the avocado in a small bowl. Add the yogurt, lime juice, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth. Use as a dressing or dip. - Honey Mustard Dressing
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons honey, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions: Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl. Adjust sweetness and tanginess to your liking. Pour over salad. - Ginger Sesame Dressing
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons sesame oil, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 small clove garlic, minced.
Instructions: Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl. Let sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to develop. Drizzle over salad. - Cilantro Lime Dressing
Ingredients: 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, 1 small clove garlic, minced, salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions: Place the cilantro, lime juice, garlic, salt, and pepper in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. While the motor is running, slowly pour in the olive oil. Drizzle over salad. - Italian Dressing
Ingredients: 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1 tablespoon dried basil, 1 small clove garlic, minced, salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions: Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl. Let sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Pour over salad. - Ranch Dressing
Ingredients: 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup buttermilk, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon minced fresh dill, 1 small clove garlic, minced, salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions: Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl. Adjust consistency by adding more buttermilk if needed. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. - Blue Cheese Dressing
Ingredients: 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese, 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons milk, 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar, 1 small clove garlic, minced, salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions: Mash the blue cheese in a small bowl. Add the yogurt, milk, vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. - Thousand Island Dressing
Ingredients: 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish, 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar, 1 small clove garlic, minced, salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions: Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl. Adjust sweetness and tanginess to your liking. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. - Orange Vinaigrette
Ingredients: 1/4 cup orange juice, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 small clove garlic, minced, salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions: Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl. Let sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Pour over salad. - Pomegranate Vinaigrette
Ingredients: 1/4 cup pomegranate juice, 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 small clove garlic, minced, salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions: Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl. Let sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to develop. Drizzle over salad. - Maple Dijon Dressing
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions: Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl. Adjust sweetness and tanginess to your liking. Pour over salad. - Green Goddess Dressing
Ingredients: 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon, 1 small clove garlic, minced, salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions: Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl. Adjust consistency by adding more yogurt or mayonnaise if needed. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
These healthy salad dressing recipes are easy to make and will add flavor and variety to your salads. Experiment with different combinations to find your favorites. Enjoy!