5 Easy to Make Salad Dressings

I love eating salads. My oldest son will eat them, if served when he’s in the right mood. My other two kids don’t “like green foods” but will eat them, if only under duress. Having the same old salad dressing can get really boring.

The store bought stuff can get expensive quickly, not to mention all the soy and other GMO’s in them. We love to use homemade ranch on many of our salads, but having something new and different wakes up a tired plate of lettuce quickly.

Here’s some of my 5 easy to make salad dressings that you can easily customize or add different spices to and make them your own.

Basic Vinaigrette

•  1/4 cup of olive oil
• 3 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard.

Mix together well, and add 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper.  Toss with salad immediately. You can change it up by adding in a fruit infused vinegar vs. the apple cider vinegar, or substituting with citrus (lemon, lime, grapefruit or orange) juice for the vinegar.

Italian Vinaigrette

Start with basic vinaigrette recipe, but add 1/2 tsp each dried oregano and basil. This recipe is great over a pasta salad, or as a marinade for chicken.

Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

•  1/4 cup olive oil
•  3 tablespoons ACV
•  1 Tablespoon whole grain mustard
•  3 Tablespoons local, raw honey
• 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper.

Whisk together well,  and allow flavors to meld for 15 minutes before serving.

Ranch

This was my favorite dressing when I worked as a waitress. I would even dip fries or grilled cheese sandwiches in it! Now, my “more real food” version:

• 1/2 cup dried chives
• 1/2 cup dried parsely
• 1/4 dried dill weed
• 1/2 cup dried onion powder
• 1/2 cup garlic powder
• 2 T. salt
• 1 T. black pepper

Mix together and store in an airtight jar for up to 6 months.  To use, simply add 2T. of the mix to 1/2 cup of mayo and 3/4 cup sour cream and mix well.  Chill well before use (if you can wait) and use within a week.

Ceasar dressing

One of my all time favorites…Ceasar salad! This dressing is so simple to make, it’s almost criminal:)

• 1 cup homemade mayo
• 1 T. lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons homemade “soy” sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced fine
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 3/4 cup Parmesean cheese

Mix all the ingredients until well blended. Great over chicken as well as salad greens. Toss with chopped romaine, shredded Parmesean cheese and homemade croutons for a quick and easy lunch.

What is your favorite salad dressing?