Homemade dressing beats store-bought any day.
As the warmer weather kicks in, with summer just around the corner, salads will once again play a starring role in our menus.
I’m a big fan of salads—and a big plate of fresh greens (think kale, spinach, rocket) and some kind of protein (such as chicken, quinoa or fish). Even pasta salads are a great way to whip up something quick when you’re busy, while also being a lighter meal for hot days. While salad is often relegated to a side dish, I’m known to dig into a big, tasty salad and call it a meal.
Related: Best Caesar Salad Recipes
However, I can understand if you don’t particularly enjoy salad; or if you see it as a necessary evil to get your daily dose of fiber.
Most of the time, salads can be boring, and if you’re not keen on greens, to begin with, that only makes any salad less appealing.
In my opinion, salad dressings can make or break a salad, and done well, they can create a surprisingly tasty and flavorful dish. With a few ingredients (the fresher the better), and mixed in the right proportions, you can have a homemade batch of healthy salad dressing in no time at all!
Related: 22 Super Easy Pasta Salads We’ll Be Eating on Repeat this Spring
Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes
From honey mustard salad dressing, avocado green goddess dressing and chipotle honey vinaigrette, to lighter dressings like orange cilantro vinaigrette, white balsamic vinaigrette, lemon poppy seed salad dressing and Greek salad dressing recipes, there are tons of options to choose from.
Here are 38 easy salad dressing recipes to make you a fan of salad! Browse through them, make sure you pin your favorites and let’s dig in.
Thai Peanut Dressing
This Thai peanut dressing has all the flavor of the original with a lighter texture that makes it perfect for drizzling over salads.
Get the recipe: Thai Peanut Dressing
Related: 30 Best Summer Salad Recipes
Balsamic Herb Vinaigrette
This flavorful herbed vinaigrette dressing by Emeril Lagasse tastes wonderful on a dish like a classic Caprese Salad, or it can season a sandwich or top your favorite salad.
Get the recipe: Balsamic Herb Vinaigrette
iStock
Homemade Russian Dressing
This homemade Russian dressing will make you want to eat a salad every day of the week!
Get the recipe: Homemade Russian Dressing
Krista Marshall
Honey Key Lime Dressing
This flavorful honey key lime dressing is perfect for salads, with the perfect balance of sweet and sour notes.
Get the recipe: Honey Key Lime Dressing
Shea Goldstein
Olive Oil Vinegar Dressing
Next time you reach for a salad, try replacing that creamy dressing with extra virgin olive oil and apple cider or red wine vinegar.
Get the recipe: Olive Oil and Vinegar Dressing
iStock
5-Minute Greek Yogurt Salad Dressing
Here’s a healthy, acid-free dressing that’s delicious on green salads.
Get the recipe: 5-Minute Greek Yogurt Salad Dressing
Veer.com
Everything Bagel Salad Dressing
This everything bagel salad dressing is the low-carb alternative to winning at life.
Get the recipe: Everything Bagel Salad Dressing
Shea Goldstein
Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing
This healthy, homemade dairy-free ranch dressing recipe can be used either as a salad dressing or a dip with one simple addition.
Get the recipe: Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing
Feeling Fabulous with Kayla
Lightened Up Honey Mustard Dressing
Creamy honey mustard dressing is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, lightened up with Greek yogurt…and not only is it delicious drizzled over a salad, but it also makes a yummy dipping sauce!
Get the recipe: Lightened-Up Honey Mustard Salad Dressing
Five Heart Home
Ginger Sesame Vinaigrette
Drizzled over salad greens or tossed with shredded Napa cabbage, this light and slightly sweet dressing gives everything it touches a sunny punch of flavor.
Get the recipe: Ginger Sesame Vinaigrette
The Real Food Dietitian
Orange Cilantro Vinaigrette
This easy orange cilantro vinaigrette is bursting with a fresh flavor that will add lots of pizzazz to your salads.
Get the recipe: Orange Cilantro Vinaigrette
Honey Sriracha Lime Dressing
Quick, easy, and full of flavor, this Thai-inspired honey Sriracha lime dressing is sure to be your new favorite salad topper!
Get the recipe: Honey Sriracha Lime Dressing
Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette
That smoky-sweet Chipotle honey vinaigrette you love and crave, now made in your own kitchen with easy pantry ingredients. Your new favorite salad dressing!
Get the recipe: Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette
Creamy Tahini Dressing
You’re going to love this delicious creamy tahini dressing recipe! It’s simple to make, full of nutritious ingredients and goes with everything.
Get the recipe: Creamy Tahini Dressing
Sweet Onion and Citrus Dressing
This sweet onion and citrus dressing tastes exactly how it sounds. Tangy undertones from the onions and lemon, with sweetness from the honey!
Get the recipe: Sweet Onion Citrus Dressing
Healthy Lemon Basil Vinaigrette
This healthy lemon basil vinaigrette is a refreshing, easy salad dressing! Whole30-friendly, vegan, paleo, gluten-free and absolutely delicious!
Get the recipe: Healthy Lemon Basil Vinaigrette
Citrus Vinaigrette with Thyme
This flavor-packed, Whole30-compliant citrus vinaigrette with thyme comes together in minutes and is far healthier and cheaper than store-bought dressings.
Get the recipe: Citrus Vinaigrette with Thyme
Garlic and Lime Vinaigrette Dressing
This garlic lime salad vinaigrette dressing is the perfect salad dressing for spring and summer salads!
Get the recipe: Garlic Lime Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
Garlic and Herb Vinaigrette Dressing
Garlic and herb vinaigrette dressing is an easy homemade salad dressing that’s full of flavor and can be made in minutes with common pantry ingredients.
Get the recipe: Garlic and Herb Vinaigrette Dressing
Honey Dijon Vinaigrette Dressing
This honey Dijon vinaigrette dressing is super easy and ready in only five minutes. This dressing is excellent to incorporate into salads, wraps, veggies or as a marinade for meat!
Get the recipe: Honey Dressing Vinaigrette Dressing
Greek Salad Dressing
This Greek salad dressing is made with easy-to-find ingredients and comes together quickly! It is delicious, simple, and so good on many different salad recipes!
Get the recipe: Greek Salad Dressing
Related: 40 Best Winter Salads (Easy Ideas & Recipes)
Zesty Lime Salad Dressing
Use this fresh and delicious zesty lime salad dressing as a marinade for grilled chicken or seafood, or a dressing for your next salad.
Get the recipe: Zesty Lime Salad Dressing
Champagne Vinaigrette
Champagne vinaigrette is a fresh, flavorful homemade salad dressing that’s easy to make, complements a variety of salads and even makes a delicious marinade!
Get the recipe: Champagne Vinaigrette
Fuji Apple Salad Dressing
Recreate Panera’s Fuji apple salad dressing at home with this 5-minute recipe! This tangy, sweet vinaigrette dressing is bursting with flavor and it’s so easy to make.
Get the recipe: Fuji Apple Salad Dressing
Chipotle Lime Ranch Dressing
Chipotle lime ranch dressing is smoky, tangy and as spicy as you want it to be! This versatile southwest salad dressing is the ultimate topping for salads, tacos, wraps and so much more.
Get the recipe: Chipotle Lime Ranch Dressing
Strawberry Salad Dressing
This strawberry salad dressing is made from very easy-to-find ingredients and is perfect for all your summer salads!
Get the recipe: Strawberry Salad Dressing
Vegan Avocado Green Goddess Dressing
This avocado green goddess dressing is filled with nourishing, healthy fats and fresh herbs. It adds a creamy texture and refreshing flavor to so many different dishes!
Get the recipe: Avocado Green Goddess Dressing
Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette
This roasted garlic vinaigrette recipe is magic in a bottle. The garlic is slow-roasted until it becomes tender, buttery and rich. Perfect for salads, grain bowls and vegetables!
Get the recipe: Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette
Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Skip the bottled dressings and make your own zesty vinaigrette at home! This easy apple cider vinaigrette recipe comes together in seconds and is healthy with a flavor-packed punch.
Get the recipe: Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Orange Citrus Vinaigrette
This simple citrus vinaigrette recipe combines the crisp flavors of lemons and oranges to create a sweet yet tart salad dressing!
Get the recipe: Orange Citrus Vinaigrette
Apple Cider Vinegar Salad Dressing
Here is a simple 5-minute recipe for salad dressing using apple cider vinegar. Plus a simple list of the elements to make a great homemade salad dressing and vinaigrette from scratch.
Get the recipe: Apple Cider Vinegar Salad Dressing
Related: 5 Healthy & Hearty Power Bowls to Eat This Spring
Asian Salad Dressing
Chopped garlic whisked together with soy, chili flakes, toasted sesame oil and rice wine vinegar.
Get the recipe: Asian Salad Dressing
Spinach Salad Dressing
Spinach salad dressing is zesty and delicious, a perfect blend for a spinach salad.
Get the recipe: Spinach Salad Dressing
White Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
This white balsamic vinaigrette is a delicious homemade salad dressing you can whip up in less than 5 minutes!
Get the recipe: White Balsamic Vinaigrette
Honey Sesame Asian Salad Dressing
Homemade honey sesame Asian salad dressing is a light and healthy salad dressing made with just a few simple ingredients. This sesame vinaigrette is packed with flavor and perfect for any Asian-inspired salad.
Get the recipe: Honey Sesame Asian Salad Dressing
Lemon Poppy Seed Salad Dressing
This lemon poppy seed salad dressing is the perfect thing to put on all your spring and summer-inspired salads.
Get the recipe: Lemon Poppy Seed Salad Dressing
Savory Nothings
Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing
This Asian toasted sesame dressing is bright and refreshing. Pair your salad with a warm bowl of cream of potato soup for an easy weeknight dinner or another entree for a keto approach.
Get the recipe: Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing
Kitchen Stewardship
Orange Poppy Seed Dressing
This homemade orange poppy seed dressing is creamy and decadent yet completely dairy-free. Perfect for taking a boring chicken salad from drab to fab!
Get the recipe: Orange Poppy Seed Dressing
Sugar Spice and Glitter
Next up, 13 Best Cobb Salad Recipes
For more latest Food & Drinks News Click Here