5 Essential Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes: Better Than Store-Bought
Stop buying bottled dressing. I share my five favorite homemade salad dressing recipes—Ranch, Caesar, Vinaigrette, Italian, and Greek—that are quick, flavorful, and perfect for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 15 min
- Yield: About 1 cup per dressing
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Shaking/Whisking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- For the Creamy Ranch: 1 cup buttermilk, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1 tablespoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon dried dill, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- For the Quick Caesar: 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Easy Everyday Vinaigrette: 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup, Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Classic Zesty Italian: 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional), Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Greek Dressing: 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 clove garlic (minced), Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Creamy Ranch: Combine buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, parsley, dill, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a jar or bowl. Seal the jar and shake well, or whisk until completely smooth. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes for flavors to meld.
- Prepare the Quick Caesar: Combine olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce in a small jar. Add Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Seal the jar tightly and shake vigorously until the dressing emulsifies and thickens slightly.
- Prepare the Easy Everyday Vinaigrette: In a small jar, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey. Season with salt and pepper. Seal the jar and shake well until combined. This is a great 5 minute dressing recipe.
- Prepare the Classic Zesty Italian: In a jar, mix olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, basil, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Add Parmesan cheese if using. Seal and shake until fully blended.
- Prepare the Greek Dressing: In a jar, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, oregano, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Shake well to combine.
- Store all dressings in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Whisk or shake before serving.
Notes
- For meal prep, store each dressing separately in a clean jar. These homemade salad dressing recipes keep well for up to one week in the refrigerator.
- If your vinaigrette separates, simply shake the jar again before pouring.
- For a dairy-free or vegan option, substitute buttermilk/sour cream in the Ranch with unsweetened plain non-dairy yogurt.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 Tbsp
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 180
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Unsaturated Fat: 14
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 1
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 0
- Cholesterol: 5