The 11 Best Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes. Learn how to make healthy salad dressings at home in under 5 minutes! Delicious and easy to make!
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Healthy Dressing for Salad
If you think salads are boring, these healthy salad dressing recipes will change your mind!
Unlike other salad dressings that are high in sugar and made with lots of preservatives – these homemade salad dressing recipes are made with simple ingredients that you have in your pantry and fridge!
We’ve perfected the art of making healthy homemade salad dressings and this post will show you just how easy they are to make.
If you’ve never made dressing before, don’t worry-even the most novice cooks can follow these healthy dressing recipes!
Say bye to boring salads forever, and make one of these easy healthy dressings!
Why we love these healthy salad dressing recipes
There is a lot to love about healthy homemade salad dressings:
- Easy to make – It only takes 5 minutes to make a homemade dressing!
- Great on salads or as a marinade – This tastes delicious on basically any salad especially a spinach salad! You can also use them as a marinade for chicken breasts or marinade for salmon!
- Tastes so delicious – Homemade salad dressings are ALWAYS better tasting than store bought!
Healthy Salad Dressing Ingredients
The best salad dressing are made with the following combination:
- Fat: A fat source is a necessity for good dressings. Our favorite thing to use in dressing is olive oil. It gives dressings a rich taste and the perfect texture.
- Acid: All good healthy dressings have some sort of acid. You can use balsamic vinegar, white vinegar, apple cider vinegar or citrus juice.
- Flavorful add ins: Something sweet like honey/maple syrup, fresh or dried herbs, or condiments like mustard are all delicious add ins for homemade dressing.
You can find substitutions for all of these ingredients below in the green shaded box.
How to make healthy dressing for salad
Making healthy salad dressings is not hard at all! Typically this is how they’re made:
- Gather all you ingredients.
- Whisk together in a bowl or blend together depending on the recipe
- Store in a mason jar for 4-7 days.
Now let’s get into the best homemade dressing recipes
Lemon Dressing
This Easy Honey Lemon Dressing is so delicious and quick to make! Blend together a few ingredients for the best honey mustard lemon dressing.
To make this recipe you’ll need:
- olive oil
- lemon zest & juice
- whole grain mustard or dijon mustard
- honey
- salt, pepper, parsley
- honey
- salt and pepper
- fresh parsley
Serve it with:
- Easy Kale Salad
- Chicken Marinade
- As a dressing on Healthy Pasta Salad
Healthy Blue Cheese Dressing
This Healthy Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe is SO easy to make. A Greek yogurt blue cheese that tastes just like the real thing!
To make greek yogurt blue cheese you’ll need:
- Nonfat greek yogurt
- Blue cheese crumbles
- Fresh squeezed lemon juice
- garlic powder
- milk, water
Serve it with: Crockpot Wings, Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe
Healthy Basil Vinaigrette
The Best Basil Vinaigrette Recipe! This easy Basil Salad Dressing can be made in under 5 minutes with only 5 ingredients. So delicious!
To make Basil Dressing you’ll need:
Serve it with: Caprese Pasta Salad, Italian Salad, Mediterranean Quinoa Salad, Caprese Meatballs
Healthy Ranch Dressing
This Healthy Ranch Dressing Recipe is SO easy to make. A simple Greek yogurt Ranch dressing that tastes just like the real thing!
To make healthy ranch dressing you’ll need:
- Nonfat greek yogurt
- Olive Oil
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Lemon juice
- Dried Dill, dried parsley, dried chives
- salt and pepper
Serve it with: Slow Cooker Chicken Wings, Avocado Ranch Salad, Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip
Citrus Salad Dressing
This Easy Citrus Salad Dressing Recipe is so delicious and quick to make. A Citrus Vinaigrette Dressing that is great on any healthy homemade salad!
To make this citrus vinaigrette you’ll need:
- Olive Oil
- Zest and Juice of a Fresh Orange
- Zest and Juice of a Fresh Lemon
- Dijon Mustard
- Maple Syrup
- Pepper to taste
Serve it with: Blueberry Salad, Spinach Strawberry Salad, As a marinade on chicken
Honey Mustard Dressing
The Best Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe that is delicious! Made with only 6 ingredients, this honey mustard dressing is quick & easy to make!
To make honey mustard vinaigrette you’ll need:
Serve it with: Honey Mustard Chicken Salad, Blueberry Feta Salad, on Vegetable Kebabs, as a marinade for chicken
Healthy Caesar Dressing
The Best Healthy Caesar Dressing Recipe! Easy to make with only a few ingredients, it’s made without anchovies, delicious & low calorie!
To make this creamy healthy caesar dressing you’ll need:
- nonfat greek yogurt
- olive oil
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- freshly squeezed lemon juice
- grated parmesan cheese
- dijon mustard
- pepper
- honey
Serve it with: Caesar Salad, Grilled Chicken, Drizzled on top of Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe
Italian Dressing
A Healthy Italian Dressing Recipe that is so easy to make! This delicious Italian Dressing Recipe is perfect on a healthy homemade salad or as a marinade.
Here’s what you need to make homemade Italian dressing:
- olive oil
- red wine vinegar
- dijon mustard
- dried basil, dried parsley, dried oregano
- garlic powder, onion powder
- red pepper flakes, salt and pepper
Serve it with: Blueberry Salad, Grilled Vegetables in Foil, as a dressing on Healthy Pasta Salad
Greek Dressing
This Homemade Greek Salad Dressing Recipe is easy to make and delicious! Done in under 5 minutes – it’s the best Greek dressing recipe!
To make Greek Dressing you’ll need:
- red wine vinegar
- lemon juice
- olive oil
- garlic powder, dried oregano, dried parsley
- salt and pepper
Serve it with: Strawberry Spinach Salad, Burger Salad, Strawberry Avocado Goat Cheese Salad, Mixed in with Corn Tomato Avocado Salad or Greek Salad
Creamy Balsamic Dressing
This Creamy Balsamic Dressing Recipe is SO delicious! Made with NO mayo, it’s vegan, keto, healthy and easy to make. Perfect on a healthy homemade salad!
To make thiscreamy balsamic dressing you’ll need:
- olive oil, balsamic vinegar
- fresh basil
- honey
- salt & pepper
Serve it with: Spinach Strawberry Salad, In place of the dressing on this Traditional Greek Salad, As a marinade on Balsamic Grilled Chicken or drizzled on Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
Avocado Ranch Dressing
This Avocado Ranch Dressing Recipe is better than any store bought dressing! A healthy avocado dressing that is so delicious and easy to make!
To make Avocado Dressing you’ll need:
- avocado
- greek yogurt
- garlic power, onion powder
- dried dill, dried parsley, dried chives
- pepper & salt
- lime juice
- water
Serve it with: Spinach Strawberry Salad, Honey Mustard Chicken Salad, Corn Tomato Avocado Salad, Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad, Greek Salad, on top of Avocado Ranch Salad
Healthy Homemade Salad Dressing Substitutions
Olive Oil: You can substitute avocado oil, butter, or ghee.
Honey: Honey and maple syrup can be used interchangeably
Vinegar: White wine vinegar, red wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar can usually be used interchangeably but if you swap them it will change the flavor of the dressing
How to Serve Healthy Salad Dressing
These healthy salad dressing recipes can be used in so many ways! Here are some of our favorites:
- As a marinade on chicken, steak or seafood
- Spinach Strawberry Salad
- Blueberry Salad
- Honey Mustard Chicken Salad
How to Store Homemade Healthy Salad Dressing
Storing: Most homemade dressings will last in the refrigerator for 4-5 days in an airtight container. I like to store them in glass mason jars. Store bought dressings have a lot of preservatives which allow them to last a long time in the refrigerator, but homemade dressings will not last for more than a week!
Freezing: We don’t recommend freezing homemade dressings. They’re best if eaten fresh!
Separating: Dressings will separate as they sit in the fridge. If your dressing separates you can whisk it together, shake vigorously or blend again to reconstitute the dressing.
Solidifying: Your dressing might get a bit solidified in the refrigerator – don’t worry! Simply set it on the counter for 20 minutes or pop in the microwave for 5-10 seconds and stir.
Healthiest Salad Dressing FAQs
What is the healthiest salad dressing?
The healthiest dressing for a salad is a mix of good quality olive oil (like extra virgin olive oil), vinegar and dried or fresh herbs.
Is dressing healthy?
Salad dressing are usually high in calories, so if you’re looking to lose weight, enjoy them in moderation! The best salad dressings are those made with high quality oils like olive or avocado oil, and organic vinegars and spices.
Healthy Salad Dressing to buy:
If you don’t want to make your own dressing I totally get it! Here are some of my favorite healthy store bought dressings:
We try to look for dressings that are made with olive oil (not canola oil) when buying store bought dressings!
More like these Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes
Looking for salads to serve these dressings on? Try these healthy salad recipes!
- Blueberry Salad
- Honey Mustard Chicken Salad
- Healthy Pasta Salad
- Spinach Strawberry Salad
- Easy Kale Salad
Healthy Dressing for Salad
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Learn how to make the best healthy salad dressing recipe – a basil vinaigrette that anyone can enjoy!
Prep Time : 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time : 0 minutes minutes
Total Time : 5 minutes minutes
Serves : 6 2 tablespoon servings (makes 3/4 cup dressing)
(hover over # to adjust)
PRINTPINRATE
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves packed
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
In a food processor or small blender, combine all ingredients until smooth.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Video
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Facts
Healthy Dressing for Salad
Amount Per Serving (2 tablespoons)
Calories 172Calories from Fat 162
% Daily Value*
Fat 18g28%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 13g
Sodium 1mg0%
Potassium 8mg0%
Carbohydrates 3g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 1IU0%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 1mg0%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. This is an estimate and can vary pending your ingredients
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