Simple and Delicious Homemade Salad Dressings

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Store-bought salad dressings can be overly sweet, too thick, or filled with unnecessary additives. The good news? Making your own is incredibly easy, and it tastes so much better. With just a few fresh ingredients, you can whip up a dressing that’s flavorful, healthy, and completely customizable.

I love making my own dressings because I get to control the flavors and ingredients. Some days I want something light and tangy like a red wine vinegar dressing, while other times, I’m in the mood for something creamy like a cottage cheese dressing. These homemade dressings aren’t just for leafy greens—they’re perfect for pasta salads, roasted veggies, grain bowls, and even as marinades.

Whether you’re in the mood for a zesty lemon dressing, a rich avocado blend, or a bold southwest-style dressing, there’s a recipe here for you. Grab a jar, mix up your favorite, and take your salads to the next level!

Tips for the Best Homemade Salad Dressings

• Use fresh ingredients – Fresh lemon juice, high-quality olive oil, and real herbs will make all the difference.
• Adjust to taste – Like it tangier? Add more vinegar. Want it creamier? Blend in some Greek yogurt or avocado.
• Let the flavors develop – Many dressings taste even better after sitting in the fridge for 30 minutes, letting the ingredients blend together.
• Store properly – Keep dressings in a sealed container in the fridge, and give them a good shake before using. Most will stay fresh for up to a week.
• Experiment with texture – Blending dressings like tahini or avocado creates a smooth, creamy consistency, while whisking keeps them light and pourable.

Greek Salad Dressing

This classic Greek dressing is fresh, tangy, and packed with Mediterranean flavors. It’s perfect for a traditional Greek salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and feta, or as a marinade for grilled meats.

Number of servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 120ml (½ cup) olive oil
• 60ml (¼ cup) red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl until well combined.
2. Store in a sealed jar and shake before using.
3. Drizzle over a Greek salad or use as a marinade for chicken or veggies.

Pasta Salad Dressing

This light and flavorful dressing is perfect for pasta salads. The balsamic vinegar adds a rich depth, while the honey balances everything out.

Number of servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 80ml (⅓ cup) olive oil
• 40ml (2 tbsp) balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until smooth.
2. Store in the fridge and shake before using.
3. Toss with your favorite pasta salad ingredients.

Fruit Salad Dressing

This dressing is light, slightly sweet, and enhances the natural flavors of fresh fruit. It’s perfect for summer fruit salads or drizzling over yogurt bowls.

Number of servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 60ml (¼ cup) orange juice
• 30ml (2 tbsp) honey
• 5ml (1 tsp) lime juice
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Whisk all ingredients together until smooth.
2. Drizzle over fruit salad just before serving.
3. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 2 days.

Taco Salad Dressing

This creamy and zesty dressing adds the perfect kick to taco salads. It’s also great as a dip for nachos or drizzled over grilled chicken.

Number of servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 120g (½ cup) sour cream
• 120g (½ cup) mayonnaise
• 30ml (2 tbsp) lime juice
• 1 tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp cumin
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl until well combined.
2. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.
3. Drizzle over taco salad or use as a dipping sauce.

Broccoli Salad Dressing

This dressing is creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet, making it perfect for broccoli salad. It also works well as a slaw dressing.

Number of servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 120g (½ cup) Greek yogurt
• 60ml (¼ cup) apple cider vinegar
• 30ml (2 tbsp) honey
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Whisk all ingredients together until smooth.
2. Refrigerate before serving for the best flavor.
3. Use for broccoli salad or as a dressing for grain bowls.

Red Wine Vinegar Salad Dressing

This is a simple, tangy dressing that pairs well with leafy greens and grilled vegetables. It’s a great all-purpose dressing to keep on hand.

Number of servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 120ml (½ cup) red wine vinegar
• 80ml (⅓ cup) olive oil
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a jar and shake well.
2. Store in the fridge and shake before using.
3. Drizzle over green salads or roasted vegetables.

Southwest Salad Dressing

This creamy and zesty dressing brings bold flavors to any salad. It pairs perfectly with southwest-inspired salads, burrito bowls, and even grilled veggies.

Number of servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 120ml (½ cup) Greek yogurt
• 60ml (¼ cup) lime juice
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl until smooth.
2. Chill before serving.
3. Drizzle over southwest salads, tacos, or grilled meats.

Mexican Salad Dressing

This dressing is tangy, slightly smoky, and full of bright citrus flavor. It’s great for taco salads, grain bowls, or drizzled over grilled corn.

Number of servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 120ml (½ cup) olive oil
• 60ml (¼ cup) lime juice
• 1 tsp cumin
• ½ tsp chili powder
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a jar and shake well.
2. Refrigerate before using.
3. Drizzle over Mexican-inspired salads or use as a marinade for meats.

Lemon Salad Dressing

Light, fresh, and slightly tangy, this lemon dressing is perfect for summer salads, grilled veggies, or even as a marinade for chicken or fish.

Number of servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 120ml (½ cup) lemon juice
• 80ml (⅓ cup) olive oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• ½ tsp Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Whisk all ingredients together until well combined.
2. Store in the fridge and shake before using.
3. Drizzle over leafy greens, quinoa salads, or roasted veggies.

Avocado Salad Dressing

This creamy avocado dressing is smooth, rich, and full of flavor. It’s perfect for topping salads, spreading on sandwiches, or using as a dip for veggies.

Number of servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe avocado
• 60ml (¼ cup) olive oil
• 60ml (¼ cup) lime juice
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Blend all ingredients until smooth.
2. Refrigerate before serving.
3. Use on salads, wraps, or as a dip.

Cottage Cheese Salad Dressing

This high-protein, creamy dressing is a healthier alternative to ranch or blue cheese dressing. It pairs well with leafy greens, cucumbers, and even roasted veggies.

Number of servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 120g (½ cup) cottage cheese
• 60ml (¼ cup) buttermilk
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Blend all ingredients until creamy.
2. Refrigerate before serving.
3. Use as a dressing, dip, or spread.

Italian Salad Dressing

A classic, flavorful Italian dressing that’s perfect for pasta salads, green salads, and as a marinade for meats or vegetables.

Number of servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 120ml (½ cup) olive oil
• 60ml (¼ cup) red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl.
2. Store in the fridge and shake before using.
3. Drizzle over salads or use as a marinade.

Tahini Salad Dressing

This creamy, nutty dressing is packed with flavor and perfect for Mediterranean salads, grain bowls, and roasted veggies.

Number of servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 80ml (⅓ cup) tahini
• 60ml (¼ cup) lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 30ml (2 tbsp) water
• ½ tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Whisk all ingredients together until smooth.
2. Add more water if needed for a thinner consistency.
3. Drizzle over salads, roasted veggies, or grain bowls.

These homemade salad dressings are easy to make, taste fresher than store-bought versions, and let you customize flavors to your liking. Try them out and see which one becomes your new go-to!