10 Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes

Healthy salad dressing recipes do not need to be boring. In this collection of 10 salad dressing recipes, you will find the zippiest vinaigrettes, the most herbaceous green goddess dressing, and the creamiest dairy free sauces. Use them to dress up not just salad, but roasted vegetables, chicken, fish, and more.

One of the first things I tell people about the Mediterranean Diet is that we love our salads, even for breakfast. We are all about adding more fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables to daily life. We love making texture and flavor rich salads you actually want to eat.

But the last thing you want is to drown a beautiful fresh salad in a store bought dressing. Store bought dressings are often made with low quality oils, added sugar, and preservatives. That is why I put together this collection of our best healthy salad dressings. They are made with fresh, flavorful ingredients that come together in 10 minutes or less.

You will find dressings made with herbs like basil and parsley. They add a zesty, fresh punch of flavor. You can drizzle them over grilled salmon or roasted vegetables. Vinaigrettes made with fresh lemon juice work as both a salad dressing and a marinade. They infuse meat with bright, citrusy flavors.

So read on to find healthy salad dressing recipes to elevate your weekly dinners. Stock your fridge with these flavor makers to use for dressings, sauces, marinades, and condiments.

Why Homemade Dressing is Better

The foundation of many salad dressings is olive oil. Choosing one with a pleasant flavor is essential. But even beyond flavor, a high quality extra virgin olive oil is your healthiest option. It is high in antioxidants and healthy fats.

I reach for different oils depending on what I am making. If I want a peppery kick, I go for a robust, full flavor oil. If I want something delicate and savory, I go for something buttery and smooth. As you experiment, you will find the oils that make your healthy salad dressings the most delicious they can be.

Category 1: Easy Vinaigrettes

A really delicious vinaigrette is one of the handiest things to whip up. You can drizzle it on top of simple salads, of course. But you can also use it on fish, roasted vegetables, and avocado toast.

While vinaigrettes should technically include vinegar, our only rule is that it should be made with whatever simple pantry ingredients you have available. That means we are all about adding freshly squeezed citrus in place of vinegar, as long as there is a good balance in flavor.

1. 5 Minute Lemon Vinaigrette Recipe

This all purpose healthy salad dressing is made in just 5 minutes with only a mixing bowl and a whisk. You will love the light, bright, lemony flavor with Dijon mustard’s peppery kick.

Ready in: 5 minutes
Makes: About ¾ cup

What You Need:

• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 1 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
• Salt and black pepper to taste

How to Make It:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, honey (if using), salt, and pepper.
2. While whisking constantly, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Keep whisking until the dressing is smooth and slightly thickened.
3. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Use immediately or store in a jar in the fridge.

Why everyone loves it: It is the easiest, most versatile dressing. It goes with any green salad and makes roasted vegetables taste amazing.

2. Easy Basil Vinaigrette

After a taste of this vegan basil vinaigrette, you will never be tempted by premade dressing again. Fresh basil leaves, shallot, garlic, lime juice, vinegar, and olive oil are blended until smooth.

Ready in: 5 minutes
Makes: About 1 cup

What You Need:

• 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves
• ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
• 1 small shallot, chopped
• 1 garlic clove
• Salt and black pepper to taste

How to Make It:

1. Place all ingredients in a blender or small food processor.
2. Blend until completely smooth and vibrant green.
3. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Use immediately or store in a jar in the fridge.

Why everyone loves it: It tastes like summer in a jar. It has all the flavor of pesto but in a pourable dressing form.

3. Apple Cider Vinaigrette

With just a handful of pantry staples, you can make a homemade apple cider vinaigrette in 5 minutes or less. Apple cider brings a slightly sweet and extra tangy flavor that adds a nice complexity.

Ready in: 5 minutes
Makes: About ¾ cup

What You Need:

• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• Salt and black pepper to taste

How to Make It:

1. In a small jar with a tight fitting lid, combine all ingredients.
2. Close the lid tightly and shake vigorously for 30 seconds, until the dressing is well combined and slightly creamy.
3. Taste and adjust sweetness or seasoning as needed.

Why everyone loves it: The sweet and tangy flavor is perfect for hearty salads with kale, apples, nuts, and goat cheese.

4. Balsamic Vinaigrette

This is my go to balsamic vinaigrette recipe. Its perfectly balanced sweet and tart flavors pair well with almost any salad or main dish.

Ready in: 5 minutes
Makes: About ¾ cup

What You Need:

• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• Salt and black pepper to taste

How to Make It:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper.
2. While whisking constantly, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the dressing is smooth and emulsified.
3. Alternatively, add all ingredients to a jar and shake well.

Why everyone loves it: It is a classic for a reason. It is rich, slightly sweet, and makes any simple salad feel special.

5. Dijon Vinaigrette

This homemade salad dressing is similar to our lemon vinaigrette but with Champagne vinegar replacing the lemon juice for a slightly understated acidity. The bold and peppery flavor of French mustard complements a variety of salads.

Ready in: 5 minutes
Makes: About ¾ cup

What You Need:

• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tbsp Champagne vinegar or white wine vinegar
• 1 ½ tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 small shallot, finely minced
• Salt and black pepper to taste

How to Make It:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, Dijon mustard, shallot, salt, and pepper.
2. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously until the dressing is creamy and combined.
3. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Why everyone loves it: It is sophisticated and tangy. Perfect for French style salads or as a marinade for chicken.

6. Ladolemono: Greek Salad Dressing

This Greek dressing recipe is often called the backbone of just about every popular Greek recipe. Ladolemono contains 4 key ingredients: lemon juice, olive oil, fresh garlic, and dried oregano.

Ready in: 5 minutes
Makes: About ⅔ cup

What You Need:

• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and black pepper to taste

How to Make It:

1. In a small jar, combine all ingredients.
2. Close the lid tightly and shake very well until the dressing looks creamy and the oil and lemon juice are mixed.
3. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using to let the garlic and oregano flavors bloom.

Why everyone loves it: It is the taste of Greece in a bottle. Incredibly garlicky, herby, and perfect for Greek salads, grilled meats, and fish.

Category 2: Creamy Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes

Who knew creamy dressing could be nutritious? By making simple swaps, like using Greek yogurt or tahini instead of mayo, you can keep the richness while using more wholesome ingredients.

7. Vegan Green Goddess Dressing with Tahini

This easy 5 minute creamy dressing is vegan, gluten free, and just as delicious as it is nutritious. Sesame tahini paste provides a creamy texture, while fresh parsley, cilantro, and dill add herby, zesty flavor.

Ready in: 5 minutes
Makes: About 1 cup

What You Need:

• ½ cup tahini
• ⅓ cup water
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup packed fresh herbs (mix of parsley, cilantro, and dill)
• 1 garlic clove
• Salt and black pepper to taste

How to Make It:

1. Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor.
2. Blend until completely smooth and vibrant green. Add another tablespoon of water if it is too thick.
3. Taste and adjust salt and lemon as needed.

Why everyone loves it: It is incredibly fresh, creamy without dairy, and packed with herb flavor. A sauce for everything.

8. Creamy Feta Dressing (5 Ingredients)

Skip the heavy, mayo based dressings, and opt for this high protein Greek yogurt and feta dressing instead. It is similar in flavor to whipped feta dip but is perfect for drizzling.

Ready in: 5 minutes
Makes: About 1 cup

What You Need:

• 4 oz feta cheese
• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 small garlic clove
• Black pepper to taste

How to Make It:

1. Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor.
2. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
3. If the dressing is too thick, add a tablespoon of water and blend again until pourable.

Why everyone loves it: It is tangy, salty, creamy, and packed with protein. It turns a simple salad into a decadent treat.

9. Easy Tzatziki Sauce

This creamy Greek yogurt sauce is a staple in Greek cuisine, made with fresh cucumber, garlic, and dill. To use it as dressing, just thin it with a little bit of water.

Ready in: 10 minutes
Makes: About 1 ½ cups

What You Need:

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• ½ English cucumber, grated
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
• Salt to taste

How to Make It:

1. Place the grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much water as possible.
2. In a bowl, combine the dried cucumber, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, dill, and salt. Stir well.
3. To use as a dressing, stir in 1 2 tablespoons of water until it reaches a drizzle able consistency.

Why everyone loves it: It is cool, refreshing, and garlicky. Perfect for gyro bowls, as a veggie dip, or thinned out as a salad dressing.

10. Tahini Sauce

Tahini is a staple in Middle Eastern cooking and for good reason. This simple paste made from crushed sesame seeds adds a creamy texture and nutty flavor to any recipe.

Ready in: 5 minutes
Makes: About ¾ cup

What You Need:

• ½ cup tahini
• ⅓ cup warm water
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Salt to taste

How to Make It:

1. In a bowl, whisk together the tahini and lemon juice. It will get very thick.
2. Slowly whisk in the warm water, a little at a time, until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
3. Whisk in the minced garlic and salt. The sauce should be the consistency of heavy cream.

Why everyone loves it: It is rich, nutty, and incredibly versatile. Drizzle it over roasted vegetables, falafel, grain bowls, or use it as a salad dressing base.

Your Dressing Questions Answered

How long do homemade dressings last?
Most vinaigrettes will last 1 2 weeks in the fridge in a sealed jar. Creamy dressings with yogurt or fresh herbs are best used within 3 5 days.

Why did my dressing separate?
It is normal for oil and vinegar to separate. Just shake or whisk it again right before using. Adding an emulsifier like Dijon mustard or honey helps it stay mixed longer.

Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
For vinaigrettes like Ladolemono, dried oregano is perfect. For creamy herb dressings (like Green Goddess), fresh herbs are essential for the best flavor.

My dressing is too tart. How can I fix it?
Balance it with a little sweetness. Add a teaspoon of honey, maple syrup, or a pinch of sugar. You can also add a bit more olive oil to mellow it out.

My dressing is too thick. How can I thin it?
For creamy dressings, whisk in a little water, one teaspoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. For vinaigrettes, you can add a tiny bit more vinegar or lemon juice.

Say Goodbye to Bottled Dressing!
Making your own salad dressing is one of the easiest ways to eat healthier and make your food taste incredible. With these 10 recipes, you have a flavor for every mood and meal. Keep a jar of lemon vinaigrette or tahini sauce in your fridge, and you will always be minutes away from a delicious, healthy dish.