8 Delicious and Healthy Salad Dressings
Below: Learn how to make 8 different healthy salad dressings so that you can keep eating your favorite salads even if you are on an anti-inflammatory diet.
Salads are delicious and refreshing, especially on a hot summer day and they are a perfect way to satisfy our cravings for something filling. With that said, simply eating a salad doesn’t mean we are being healthy.
It is easy to think that we are making a better choice by ordering a salad at a restaurant. However, the type of dressing you choose makes a big difference. Many dressings served at restaurants are full of sodium, vegetable oil, or creamy ingredients that are loaded with saturated fat.
Making your own salad can help, but store bought dressings often have similar ingredients. That is why it is important to learn how to make homemade salad dressings with healthy ingredients. If you do that, you can be sure that the salad you are eating is contributing to a more healthy diet.
Today, I am going to share 8 healthy salad dressings that, for the most part, will only take you 5 minutes each to prepare!
What are the benefits of making homemade salad dressings?
Homemade salad dressings can be much more healthy than store bought because you can control the ingredients that they are made with. Here are some specific reasons why homemade salad dressings can be more healthy:
- You control the ingredients. Like I mentioned above, store bought dressings are often filled with oils that contribute to inflammation, so it is best if you can choose your own ingredients.
- They only take 5 minutes to make. The process is super simple. In most case, you just have to combine the ingredients and mix them up!
- They are delicious. Homemade dressings are almost always going to taste better than what you buy at the store, because you can decide the amount and type of seasonings to add.
- They are versatile. Aside from using them on salads, you can use them as dips or marinades too!
Keep reading to find out how to make all 8!
1. Creamy Cilantro and Avocado Salad Dressing
Ingredients:
- 1 Ripe Avocado
- 1/2 Cup of Water
- 1/2 Cup of chopped cilantro
- 4 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
- Juice from 1 lime
- Salt and Black Pepper to Taste
- 1/2 Jalapeno (optional)
Preparation: Blend all of the ingredients in a blender or food processor and add to a container with a lid. This can be refrigerated for up to two weeks. If you are using it after storing in the refrigerator, stir or shake before serving.
2. Honey Mustard Salad Dressing
Ingredients:
- 1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1/4 Teaspoon Lime Zest
- 1 1/2 Teaspoon Lime Juice
- 1 1/2 Tablespoon Honey
- 1 Teaspoon Mustard
- 3 Tablespoons of finely chopped Parsley
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
Preparation: Add all of the ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until well combined. This can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 10 days, but shake well before using.
3. Creamy Sesame Seed Salad Dressing
Ingredients:
- 1/4 Cup Avocado Oil
- 1/4 Cup of Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 1/4 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
Preparation: Add all of the ingredients to a small bowl and mix well. This can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
4. Blueberry Vinaigrette
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup Bluberries
- 1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 3 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon Honey
- Pinch of Salt
Preparation: Blend all of the ingredients in a blender or food processor. Put in a container with a lid and serve fresh. This dressing is best served immediately so make only the amount that you will use in the same day.
5. Spicy Lime Salad Dressing
Ingredients:
- 1/4 Cup White Vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon Lime Juice
- 1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1/2 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 1/2 Teaspoon Paprika
- 1/2 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
Preparation: Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. This can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
6. Sweet Balsamic Salad Dressing
Ingredients:
- 1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1/2 Cup Balsamic Vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Honey
- 1 Tablespoon Mustard
- 1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 Teaspoon Onion Powder
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
- 2 Tablespoons Water
Preparation: Mix all of the ingredients using a small whisk or fork and serve with your favorite salads. This can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
7. Healthy Basil Vinaigrette
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup Fresh Basil Leaves
- 1/4 Cup Parsley
- 1 Garlic Clove, chopped
- 1/2 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Honey
- 4 Tablespoons Lime Juice
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
Preparation: Blend all of the ingredients in a blender or food processor. This can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
8. Healthy Ranch Dressing
Ingredients:
- 1/2 Cup Unflavored Greek Yogurt
- 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
- 1 Tablespoon Onion Powder
- 2 Tablespoon Fresh Dill, chopped
- 1 Tablespoon Lime Juice
- Salt to Taste
Preparation: Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl and add a few teaspoons of water if you want a thinner consistency. Add salt to taste and serve with your favorite salads or as a dip. This can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Say goodbye to boring salads and try all of these dressings today. Aside from being full of vitamins and minerals, they will add so much flavor!
Which one was your favorite?
8 Delicious and Healthy Salad Dressings
Ingredients
Creamy Cilantro and Avocado Dressing
- 1 Avocado Ripe
- 1/2 Cup Water
- 1/2 Cup Chopped Cilantro
- 4 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 Lime The Juice
- Salt and Pepper To Taste
- 1/2 Jalapeno Optional
Honey Mustard Dressing
- 1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1/4 Tsp Lime Zest
- 1 1/2 Tsp Lime Juice
- 1 1/2 Tbsp Honey
- 1 Tsp Mustard
- 3 Tbsp Parsley Finely Chopped
- Salt and Pepper To Taste
Creamy Sesame Seed Dressing
- 1/4 Cup Avocado Oil
- 1/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 Tbsp Sesame Seeds Toasted
- 1/4 Tbsp Garlic Powder
- Salt and Pepper To Taste
Bluberry Vinaigrette
- 1 Cup Blueberries
- 1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 3 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Honey
- 1 Pinch Salt
Spicy Lime Dressing
- 1/4 Cup White Vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Lime Juice
- 1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1/2 Tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 1/2 Tsp Paprika
- 1/2 Tsp Red Pepper Flakes
- Salt and Pepper To Taste
Sweet Balsamic Dressing
- 1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1/2 Cup Balsamic Vinegar
- 2 Tbsp Honey
- 1 Tbsp Mustard
- 1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 Tsp Onion Powder
- Salt and Pepper To Taste
- 2 Tbsp Water
Healthy Basil Vinaigrette
- 1 Cup Fresh Basil
- 1/4 Cup Parsley
- 1 Garlic Clove Minced
- 1/2 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 Tbsp Honey
- 4 Tbsp Lime Juice
- Salt and Pepper To Taste
- 2 Tbsp Water
Healthy Ranch Dressing
- 1/2 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt
- 1 Tbsp Italian Seasoning
- 1 Tbsp Garlic Powder
- 1 Tbsp Onion Powder
- 2 Tbsp Fresh Dill Finely Chopped
- 1 Tbsp Lime Juice
- Salt To Taste
Instructions
Creamy Cilantro and Avocado Dressing
- Blend all of the ingredients until smooth. Can be stored in refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Honey Mustard Dressing
- Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Can be stored in the referigerator for up to 10 days.
Creamy Sesame Seed Dressing
- Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Can be stored in the referigerator for up to 7 days.
Blueberry Vinaigrette
- Blend all of the ingredients until smooth. Serve immediately.
Spicy Lime Dressing
- Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Can be stored in the referigerator for up to 14 days.
Sweet Balsamic Dressing
- Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Can be stored in the referigerator for up to 14 days.
Healthy Basil Vinaigrette
- Blend all of the ingredients until smooth. Can be stored in refrigerator for up to 4 days. .
Healthy Ranch Dressing
- Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Can be stored in the referigerator for up to 5 days.