11 Homemade Salad Dressings Better Than The Bottled Stuff

Why are you still buying bottled salad dressings? They’re so much tastier and healthier when homemade — not to mention more affordable. Each of these recipes can be whipped up in minutes and makes enough salad dressing for a standard 16 oz mason jar for easy storage.

Avoid the ultra-processed ingredients found in the store-bought versions and make these instead.

Classic Olive Oil Vinaigrette

Photo Credit: Envato Elements.

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Ingredients:

  • 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 minced garlic clove
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon dried herbs (oregano, basil, or thyme)

Instructions: Whisk all ingredients together until smooth. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Store in a mason jar in the fridge; shake well before use.

Creamy Avocado Dressing

Photo Credit: Envato Elements.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ripe avocado, pitted and scooped
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • 1 small garlic clove
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Water to thin, as needed

Instructions: Blend all ingredients until creamy, adding water as needed for consistency. Season with salt and pepper. Keep chilled.

Lemon-Tahini Dressing

Photo Credit: Envato Elements.

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup tahini
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 teaspoons maple syrup
  • Salt to taste

Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth, adding more water if necessary. Season to taste.

Balsamic Vinaigrette

Photo Credit: Envato Elements.

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Instructions: Mix all the ingredients well until emulsified. Adjust seasoning as needed.

Garlic-Herb Greek Yogurt Dressing

Photo Credit: Envato Elements.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (parsley, dill, chives)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions: Whisk together all ingredients. Adjust the herbs, salt, and pepper to your liking.

Basil Pesto Vinaigrette

Photo Credit: Envato Elements.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup basil pesto
  • 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions: Combine pesto, vinegar, and olive oil, seasoning with salt and pepper. Shake or whisk until well blended.

Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette

Photo Credit: Envato Elements.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup packed fresh cilantro
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions: Puree all ingredients until smooth, then season with salt and pepper as desired.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Mustard Dressing

Photo Credit: Envato Elements.

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions: Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, mustard, and honey. Season with salt and pepper.

Raspberry Vinaigrette

Photo Credit: Envato Elements.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup raspberries
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • Salt to taste

Instructions: Blend raspberries, vinegar, and honey, then slowly incorporate olive oil. Strain if desired. Season with salt.

Italian Herb Vinaigrette

Photo Credit: Envato Elements.

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions: Combine all ingredients and whisk well. Adjust the seasoning as needed for taste.

Smoky Bacon-Tahini Dressing

Photo Credit: Envato Elements.

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup bacon fat drippings, strained
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • Water to thin, as needed
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions: Whisk bacon fat, olive oil, tahini, vinegar, soy sauce, maple syrup, garlic, and paprika until smooth. Thin with water if necessary. Season with salt and pepper, and store chilled.

More Homemade Pantry Staples

Photo Credit: Envato Elements.

Read More: 24 Pantry Staples That Are Healthier & Cheaper Homemade

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