Salad is a perfect, fresh and healthy Summertime side or meal. Some people turn their nose up at salad, but the vast range of dressings can flavour any salad to your personal taste. Whether you prefer a creamy flavour or a zesty spice, there will be a dressing to tantalise your tastebuds. So put out your ingredients and start making. You can experiment with the thousands of other salad recipes online with only but a couple of tools at your disposal.
The great news is that salad dressings are cheap, quick and easy to make – but often expensive to buy. Not to mention, many shop bought dressings will contain unnecessary added ingredients and will be far less fresh than making your own.
Below are a selection of salad dressing s to get you started. Once you’ve found one you love, the seasoning can be adjusted to achieve your personal perfection.
Greek Yoghurt Ranch
3/4 cup whole milk plain Greek yogurt
1 clove garlic, finely minced OR 1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup fresh minced parsley OR 1 tablespoon dried parsley
1/4 medium onion, diced (about 2 tablespoons) OR 2 teaspoons onion powder
2 tablespoons fresh minced chives OR 1 tablespoon dried chives
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
Juice of 1/2 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
1/4 cup—1/2 cup buttermilk
31 calories per serving
Chili-Lime
Zest and juice of 2 limes (about 4 tablespoons juice and 3 teaspoons zest)
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon honey
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, finely minced OR 1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
96 calories per serving
Honey Mustard
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
98 calories per serving
Lemon Vinaigrette
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons dijon mustard
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
Zest and juice of 1 lemon (about 4 tablespoons juice and 3 teaspoons zest)
1 clove garlic, finely minced OR 1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon fresh minced oregano OR 2 tablespoons dried oregano
133 calories per serving
Balsamic Vinaigrette
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, finely minced OR 1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
143 calories per serving
Italian
2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons finely grated parmesan
1 tablespoon fresh minced parsley OR 1 tablespoon dried parsley
1/4 medium onion, diced (about 2 tablespoons) OR 2 teaspoons onion powder
Juice of 1/2 lemon (about 2 tablespons)
1 tablespoon fresh minced basil OR 2 tablespoons dried basil
1 tablespoon fresh minced oregano OR 2 tablespoons dried oregano
1 clove garlic, finely minced OR 1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
186 calories per serving
For all the recipes that we have suggested above, the preparation is quick and easy. Simply add all the ingredients together, shake well, refrigerate and enjoy with your delicious summer salad!