How To Make 4 Healthy Salad Dressings Recipe

Hey there, fellow food enthusiasts! If you’re ready to upgrade your salad game, I’ve got four killer homemade dressings that will seriously revolutionize your greens. From a classic vinaigrette with a zing to a creamy avocado cilantro lime vibe, a tangy tahini lemon twist, and a sweet honey mustard sensation—get ready to embrace your inner dressing connoisseur. Mix, match, and drizzle to your heart’s content!

I enjoy making nutritious salad dressings that elevate the flavor of fresh salads. My classic dressing is a vinaigrette made with extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, and good Dijon mustard.

I also love creamy dressings, like my avocado cilantro lime dressing, which has a little Greek yogurt in it. And I can’t get enough of lime juice right now.

Ingredients

• Extra-virgin olive oil: Rich in healthy monounsaturated fats, supports heart health.
• Dijon mustard: Adds tangy flavor, low in calories, contains antioxidants.
• Honey: Natural sweetener rich in antioxidants, offers antibacterial properties.
• Avocado: High in healthy fats and fiber, supports heart health.
• Cilantro: Source of vitamins A, C, K; may aid digestion.
• Greek yogurt: Contains protein and probiotics, aids in digestion and gut health.
• Tahini: Rich in healthy fats, plant-based protein, calcium source.
• Lemon juice: Provides vitamin C, adds refreshing citrus flavor.

Ingredient Quantities

• Classic Vinaigrette
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

• Avocado Cilantro Lime Dressing
• 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Water to thin (2-3 tablespoons as needed)

• Tahini Lemon Dressing
• 1/4 cup tahini
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• Salt and pepper to taste

• Honey Mustard Dressing
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make this

1. Classic Vinaigrette
In a tiny bowl, combine the red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, and chopped garlic. Whisk together until the dressing is emulsified. Whisk in the olive oil next; it should be gradual. Add salt and pepper to taste.

2. Avocado Cilantro Lime Dressing
In a blender, combine the avocado, cilantro, Greek yogurt, lime juice, honey, and minced garlic. Blend until smooth. Pour in water one tablespoon at a time until the dressing reaches your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Tahini Lemon Dressing
In a bowl of medium size, blend the tahini, water, lemon juice, minced garlic, and maple syrup. Whisk until creamy and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add more water if you prefer a thinner consistency.

4. Honey Mustard Dressing
In a bowl or jar with a lid, mix together the Dijon mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil. Blend well by whisking or shaking the jar. Then, make sure to season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste before serving.

5. Storage
Keep each of the dressings in its own separate airtight container or jar in the refrigerator, and they will stay fresh for up to a week.

6. Mixing
If any separation occurs, shake or whisk the dressings again before using.

7. Serving Suggestion
Utilize the traditional vinaigrette on a green salad containing various kinds of vegetables.

8. Serving Suggestion
Combine the taco salad with the Avocado Cilantro Lime Dressing for a creamy explosion of flavor.

9. Serving Suggestion
Tahini lemon dressing should be drizzled on grain bowls or roasted vegetables. It gives a kick.

10. Serving Suggestion
Honey mustard dressing makes a delightful dip for chicken strips and an essential drizzle for a chicken salad.

Equipment Needed

1. Small bowl
2. Medium bowl
3. Blender
4. Whisk
5. Measuring cups
6. Measuring spoons
7. Airtight containers or jars with lids
8. Knife
9. Cutting board

FAQ

• Q: How long can I store these salad dressings?These dressings can be kept in the refrigerator for as long as one week in a container that is airtight.
• Q: Can I substitute any of the ingredients?A: Yes, you can substitute apple cider vinegar for red wine vinegar in a vinaigrette, maple syrup for honey for a vegan option, or lemon juice for lime juice in an avocado dressing.
• Q: What makes these dressings healthy?A: Healthy fats such as olive oil and avocado are used in these dressings. They contain no preservatives, and their natural sweeteners include honey and maple syrup.
• Q: Can I make these dressings ahead of time?A: Yes, preparing them ahead of time is a really good way to save time. Just shake or stir them really well before serving; some separation may have occurred. So, not all of the yummy flavor may be right there with the salad until you shake it back together.
• Q: Are these dressings suitable for a vegan diet?A: The vinaigrette and tahini lemon dressings are vegan. For the other dressings, you can swap out the honey for agave syrup or maple syrup to keep them vegan.
• Q: How do I thin out the avocado cilantro lime dressing if it’s too thick?Add water until desired consistency is reached, one tablespoon at a time.
• Q: Are these dressings gluten-free?A: Yes, all of these dressings are naturally gluten-free.

How To Make 4 Healthy Salad Dressings Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Vinaigrette, a classic salad dressing, can take on many flavor profiles. At its most basic, a vinaigrette is a mixture of fat and acid. There are two simple methods for making vinaigrette: emulsifying the fat and acid together or whisking the vinaigrette to recombine it after it has been allowed to separate.
Replace red wine vinegar with balsamic vinegar.
Substitute honey with maple syrup.
Cilantro Lime Dressing with Avocado
Instead of Greek yogurt, use sour cream.
Substitute lemon juice for lime juice.
Lemon Dressing Tahini

This tahini lemon dressing is a creamy, zesty sauce that is perfect to drizzle over salads, grain bowls, or roasted vegetables. Adding tahini makes the dressing rich and adds a nutty flavor. The tahini lends creaminess to the dressing without using any dairy.

Why you’ll love this dressing

1. Only 4 ingredients + water: Easy as can be.
2. No measuring required: Just pour to taste directly into the bowl, and whisk.
3. Zesty and nutty: The tahini adds a unique twist.
Substitute agave syrup in place of maple syrup.
Swap lemon juice and use apple cider vinegar instead.
Honey Mustard Dressing
Agave syrup can be used in place of honey.
Substitute white wine vinegar for apple cider vinegar.

Pro Tips

1. When making the Classic Vinaigrette, let the minced garlic sit in the red wine vinegar for a few minutes before adding other ingredients. This helps to mellow the garlic’s raw flavor.

2. For the Avocado Cilantro Lime Dressing, use a ripe avocado for a creamier texture and consider adding a pinch of cumin for a subtle smoky flavor that complements the lime and cilantro.

3. When preparing the Tahini Lemon Dressing, use warm water to mix with the tahini. This helps to blend the tahini more easily, creating a smoother consistency.

4. In the Honey Mustard Dressing, gradually whisk the olive oil into the other ingredients. This technique ensures a better emulsion and a thicker, smoother dressing.

5. To enhance flavor in all dressings, taste and adjust the seasoning as needed, particularly the acidity (by adding more vinegar or lemon juice) and sweetness (by adjusting the amount of honey or maple syrup) to suit your personal preference.