16 Salad Dressings for Restaurant-Worthy Salads
These 16 Salad Dressings for Restaurant-Worthy Salads are better than store-bought dressings with better flavor, simpler ingredients, and no preservatives! Plus, they're ready in 5 minutes or less.
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Store-bought dressings are packed with a ton of ingredients you can't even pronounce and don't have nearly the amount of flavor as homemade. Homemade salad dressing might sound like a challenge, but trust me. It's so worth it for the flavor and the fact that you can control what goes into it!
These dressings are perfect for using on your favorite salads, meats, or even vegetables! In this list, you'll find a little bit of everything, from creamy ranch dressing to a zippy peanut sauce or pomegranate vinaigrette. The options are endless!
Light, Zesty Dressings
Light Italian Dressing
A true classic, this homemade Light Italian Dressing will become your go-to salad dressing. It’s so much healthier and better tasting than store-bought and made with pantry ingredients.
Healthy Balsamic Vinaigrette
A lightened up version of classic Balsamic Vinaigrette that tastes amazing on salads, as a marinade, drizzled over veggies, and more.
Greek Salad Dressing
Greek Salad Dressing that tastes just like the the restaurant version packed with lemon juice, red wine vinegar, oregano, olive oil, and garlic.
Lemon Feta Vinaigrette
Make homemade Lemon Feta Vinaigrette that's perfect for salads, roasted veggies, and more. It's made with just six ingredients that you probably have at home.
Homemade Peanut Sauce
This homemade peanut sauce is easy to make, full of authentic flavor, and tastes good on anything! It's made with pantry ingredients including peanut butter, soy sauce, and rice vinegar for quick, tasty homemade sauce.
Dressings With A Kick
Southwest Salad Dressing
Homemade Southwest Salad Dressing is the perfect blend of creamy and spicy. It's easy to make at home and tastes great on salads, tacos, grain bowls, and more.
Blackened Ranch Dressing
Blackened Ranch Dressing is made with simple ingredients like Greek yogurt, buttermilk, dried herbs, and blackening seasoning. This light and creamy ranch is packed with flavor and makes the perfect accompaniment to all your favorite, salads, wraps, and snacks.
Jalapeno Ranch Dressing
This Jalapeno Ranch dressing made Greek yogurt, fresh herbs, and jalapenos is easy to make and tastes seriously delicious. Makes a great salad dressing and dipping sauce.
Creamy Dressings
Creamy Avocado Dressing
This healthy Avocado Dressing made with fresh avocado, Greek yogurt, cilantro, and lime juice is the perfect healthy salad dressing and dip. Easy to make and packed with good for you ingredients.
Creamy Gorgonzola Dressing
Creamy Gorgonzola Dressing is a lightened-up version of your favorite creamy dressings. This healthy homemade salad dressing is made with Greek yogurt, gorgonzola cheese, low-fat buttermilk, and vinegar. Serve it with salads or use it as a dip for veggies and crackers!
The Best Skinny Ranch
Healthy Ranch made with Greek yogurt, fresh herbs, and lemon juice has all the flavor of your favorite ranch without all the calories. It takes just a few minutes to throw together and tastes amazing.
Homemade Green Goddess Dressing
Green Goddess dressing made with fresh herbs like basil, cilantro, and parsley paired with Greek yogurt and garlic is an easy way to add tons of flavor to your favorite salads.
Yogurt Blue Cheese Dressing
Homemade creamy blue cheese dressing made with yogurt is a lightened up version of this classic salad dressing. Delicious for salads, burgers, wings, and more.
Healthy Thousand Island Dressing
Healthier homemade Thousand Island Dressing that tastes just like the real thing! Made with Greek yogurt and common pantry ingredients, this dressing is great for salads, burgers, and more!
Fruity Dressings
Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing
This easy, vibrant Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing isn't like the kind you'd find at the store! It's made with fresh raspberries instead of preserves and none of the artificial stuff you'd find in a bottle. It's ready in 5 minutes or less, so you really don't have an excuse not to make it.
Pomegranate Vinaigrette
This easy homemade Pomegranate Vinaigrette is a great way to add extra flavor and zing to salads, chicken, grain bowsl, and more.
Best Salads to Use These Dressings
Here are some tasty salads to use with these dressings:
- Grilled Chicken Greek Salad
- Mexican Quinoa Salad
- Arugula and Apple Salad with Goat Cheese and Pecans
- Grilled Vegetable Salad
- Asian Peanut Slaw
- Cheeseburger Salad
- Blackened Steak Salad
What else can I use these salad dressings on?
Here are some other ways to use these salad dressings that don't involve salad:
- Grain bowls: Drizzle over Mediterranean Bowls, Korean Beef Bowls, or Sweet Potato Bowls to add flavor without extra sauces.
- Roasted vegetables: Toss with Roasted Vegetables right out of the oven for a punch of flavor.
- Marinades: Use as a quick marinade for chicken, tofu, or shrimp, especially vinaigrettes.
- Sandwiches and wraps: Spread a little inside Turkey BLT Wraps, Slow Cooker Chicken Lettuce Wraps, or drizzle onto sandwiches in place of mayo.
- Pasta salads: Mix into Greek Pasta Salad, Ranch BLT Pasta Salad, or Easy Vegetable Pasta Salad for an easy, flavorful coating.
- Cooked meats: Spoon over Grilled Chicken Breast, Grilled Pork Chops, or Balsamic Flank Steak with Roasted Tomatoes for a fresh, tangy finish.
- Dips: Combine with a little yogurt or mayo for a quick dip for veggies or chips.
Ways to Customize These Salad Dressing Recipes
Change up these dressings with a few of the following customizations:
- Fresh herbs: Use fresh instead of dried herbs for a more intense herby flavor! A little fresh parsley, basil, dill, chives, or oregano is all it takes.
- Acid swap: Swap any type of vinegar for lemon juice for a zestier punch, or swap lemon juice with vinegar for a tangier flavor. Some of my favorite vinegar options are apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, plain white vinegar, and champagne vinegar.
- Add Dijon mustard: This tangy condiment makes any dressing better and adds another level of flavor.
- Add salt and pepper: A pinch of salt and pepper to taste can upgrade any dressing.
- Add spices: A little garlic or onion powder can add a depth of flavor to your dressings!
More Light and Fresh Recipes
More Light and Fresh Recipes
These will always be a favorite!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will these homemade salad dressing recipes last in the fridge?
Homemade salad dressings shouldn't sit out on the counter, especially if they've got fresh ingredients like garlic, herbs, or anything creamy. Just pop them in the fridge once you're done using them.
Oil and vinegar-based dressings usually keep for about 1 to 2 weeks in the fridge. If it's a creamy dressing or has fresh ingredients like lemon juice or garlic, plan to use it within 5 to 7 days. Keep it in a sealed jar or container, give it a good shake before using, and if it starts to smell weird or look funky, it's time to toss it.