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15 Essential Homemade Salad Dressings: From Creamy Ranch to Zesty Vinaigrette

Close-up of a bright yellow homemade salad dressing, likely a vinaigrette, settling in a small glass jar.

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Stop buying store-bought dressings. This collection gives you 15 easy, healthy homemade salad dressing recipes, including creamy Parmesan, classic vinaigrette, and zesty lemon options, to instantly upgrade your salads.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup (optional)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Combine olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, maple syrup (if using), minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
  2. Whisk vigorously until the dressing is fully emulsified and slightly thickened.
  3. Alternatively, place all ingredients into a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake well until combined.
  4. Taste the dressing and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or maple syrup as needed for your preference.
  5. Use immediately over your favorite salad greens or store in the refrigerator for later use.

Notes

  • For a creamy texture, add 2 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt or mayonnaise to the base recipe.
  • This basic vinaigrette recipe yields about 3/4 cup of dressing. Scale quantities up for meal prep.
  • Store homemade salad dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving if it solidifies.

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