These healthy salad dressings are the key to enhancing every salad recipe on my website! Some are creamy, while others are bright and tangy. But each has a purpose depending on what ingredients you’re tossing it with.
I eat a lot of salads. And if there’s one trick that nudges me to eat salads almost daily, it’s a perfectly matched dressing! I’ll use a creamy Caesar dressing to add heft to sturdy lettuces or roasted vegetables. I’ll opt for my balsamic vinaigrette as a naturally sweet and balanced option for steak salads. And I always default to my lemon vinaigrette to instantly add life to the simplest salads, like my arugula salad (my favorite easy side dish).
In other words, think of these dressings as a mix-and-match system to use throughout the week! So whether you need something creamy, tangy, or slightly sweet, they’re perfect for making each meal unique on its own. I’ll even toss these dressings with roasted veggies or use them as a chicken marinade (the best time savings hack!).
Bright and Tangy Vinaigrettes
These are the dressings I make most often. They’re light, fresh, and the easiest way to brighten a simple bowl of greens without weighing it down. I reach for these when:
- I’m making a quick side salad to go with dinner.
- The meal is rich and needs some acidity to balance it.
- I want something that gently coats the greens without making them soggy.
1
This is the dressing I make most often! It’s bright, fresh, and pairs so well with just about any salad. I especially love it on a simple arugula salad, chickpea salad or quinoa salad!
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2
The slightly sweet and tangy mix of flavors instantly elevates any salad. It adds a wonderful contrast to a strawberry salad and complements my summer steak salad so well!
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3
I love the bold, herby flavors in this one! It’s perfect for when I’ve got lots of veggies in the mix and want something that ties everything together. I also like to drizzle it over antipasto skewers for a simple, fresh appetizer.
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4
A classic dressing, made better at home! It’s briny, punchy, and perfect for my Greek salad or any of my Mediterranean-style salads with cucumber, tomato, and olives.
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6
This citrus lime vinaigrette gives any salad recipe an extra punch of fresh, zesty flavor, and it tastes incredible on my pulled pork salad!
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7
This is similar to my lemon vinaigrette, but goes a little heavier on the sharp Dijon mustard. If you like a brighter, spicier punch, try this!
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Creamy Salad Dressings
These are my favorites when I’m working with heartier ingredients like roasted vegetables, grains, or proteins. A vinaigrette can sometimes get lost in those, but a creamy dressing makes it feel complete. And while my homemade mayonnaise is used in several of these, you can always swap in Greek yogurt for a creamier, protein-forward swap!
Pro tip: One thing I’ve learned is that creamy dressings are easy to overdo. I always start with less and add more as I go. It’s the difference between a perfectly coated salad and one that feels heavy!
9
A MUST for my Caesar salad, of course! But really, you can use this dressing for any bowl of hearty greens, especially ones with grilled chicken. Its rich, garlicky flavor pairs so well.
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11
The dressing really does make or break coleslaw! I find that store-bought versions just don’t compare when it comes to fresh flavor and the perfect texture.
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12
This is the tastiest blend of slightly sweet and nutty flavors, which makes it perfect for heartier fall and winter salads (like my sweet potato salad), grain bowls, or roasted veggies!
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14
This version is a little brighter than my maple mustard tahini dressing, and one I reach for when I still want creaminess but with a fresh, citrusy edge. I love this with Mediterranean or Middle Eastern roasted veggies!
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Sweet and Fruity Vinaigrettes
These are the dressings I pull out when a salad needs a little contrast. A touch of sweetness really does make everything more interesting, especially when paired with salty cheese, nuts, or anything savory.
15
This one is bright, slightly sweet, and perfect with goat cheese, nuts, or a simple spinach salad with fruit, like my berry spinach salad!
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16
This one is a little deeper and more tart my raspberry vinaigrette. It’s seasonally appropriate in the fall or with heartier greens, especially when I have leftover cranberries from the holidays.
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If you make any of these salad dressings or vinaigrettes, let me know how they turn out in the comments below! Your review will help other readers in the community. And if you’re looking for more healthy food inspiration, join my free newsletter here.