23 Flavorful Salad Dressings You Can Make at Home

Skip the store-bought dressings and try these quick and easy homemade salad dressing recipes that pair perfectly with fresh, leafy greens.

Sour milk dressing with herbs

This refreshing, herb-infused fermented dressing will liven up any salad. Add whatever fresh herbs you have on hand, or better yet, several for a burst of flavor. It can also be served as a dip, for example, with chips or fried chicken.

Spinach Salad with Bacon

The most delicious part of this salad is probably the tart dressing made from bacon fat rendered during frying. It pairs perfectly with any hearty salad greens, especially spinach. Serve the salad as a light side dish or appetizer, or you can add pieces of chicken or salmon for a complete, healthy lunch.

Blue cheese dressing

Blue cheese dressing is a perfectly balanced blend of mayonnaise, sour cream, cream, and blue cheese, with a smooth, slightly piquant flavor. It's used as a salad dressing and as a dip for spicy fried wings (like Buffalo wings) or fresh vegetables. It's one of the best-selling dressings in the US and can also be easily made at home. This dressing will keep in the refrigerator for up to three days, but it's best made fresh and served immediately.

Vinaigrette dressing with herbs

This tart vinaigrette with lemon juice and fresh herbs gets a sweet note from the addition of honey and pairs beautifully with almost any salad. Feel free to add any aromatic herbs you have on hand, such as dill, tarragon, parsley, or basil.

Ranch dressing (Whole30 diet)

This dressing is so thick and creamy, but you won't regret that it's dairy-free. It's made with nut milk and a fresh egg and packed with aromatic herbs, giving it a classic ranch flavor. Use it as a dip or salad dressing.

Thousand Island dressing

Homemade Thousand Island dressing is much more delicious than store-bought, especially if it's made with homemade mayonnaise (or use the highest-quality store-bought mayonnaise). All the ingredients are perfectly balanced for a rich, multifaceted flavor. Use it as a salad dressing or as a dip for various appetizers.

Classic vinaigrette dressing

Don't buy ready-made salad dressing. With this recipe, you can easily whip up a vinaigrette that's perfect for any salad. A classic vinaigrette is a mixture of vinegar, Dijon mustard, and olive oil, but you can customize it with any herbs and spices you like, or substitute white wine vinegar for another type of vinegar.

Kale in salad dressing

Dense kale greens require a rich dressing, like this tart and creamy mayonnaise-based vinaigrette. Its acidity and salt help soften the kale, while the anchovies and roasted garlic complement the kale's bitterness beautifully. Let the salad rest in the refrigerator before serving to soften it. Rich in fiber and rich in flavor, it pairs perfectly with meat, especially grilled steak.

Sour cream dressing with honey and dill

Try this sour cream dressing with honey and fresh dill on your favorite vegetable salad or as a dip with crackers and chips, and it might just become your go-to recipe.

Summer dressing "Green Goddess"

This vibrantly flavored and colorful dressing has evolved significantly since it was first created in California in the 1920s. Earlier versions included tarragon, anchovies, Worcestershire sauce, or avocado. This reimagined classic is filled with fresh, tender herbs, lemon, and a well-balanced blend of yogurt and mayonnaise. Green Goddess dressing is equally delicious on salads or as a dip with vegetables or crackers.

Mayonnaise dressing with soy sauce and sesame seeds

The basic ingredients of Asian cuisine—soy sauce and sesame seeds—are whisked with mayonnaise to create a versatile, creamy dressing that pairs equally well with a simple green salad and a cold noodle dish.

Italian Vinaigrette Dressing

This Italian vinaigrette is infused with the zesty flavor of garlic and oregano, and the pleasant tartness of red wine vinegar and Dijon mustard. It's perfect for light summer salads. Make a large batch and store in the refrigerator, shaking well before each use.

Wild Onion Ranch Dressing

Ranch dressing is popular year-round, but it's always a good idea to incorporate seasonal ingredients from time to time. The sharp, slightly garlicky flavor of wild onion (Allium tricoccum) pairs perfectly with ranch's signature herbaceous flavor. In fact, it actually enhances it.

Yogurt dressing with herbs

This refreshing yogurt dressing is low in calories (only 60 kcal per serving) and fat (5 g per serving). This is thanks to Greek yogurt (2% fat) and the absence of mayonnaise. Nevertheless, the dressing is smooth and velvety. It's equally delicious in salads or as a dip for an appetizer.

Caesar Salad Dressing with Mayonnaise

This simple Caesar salad dressing recipe requires just five ingredients. It's easy to whip up using store-bought mayonnaise and will become your go-to for every Caesar salad. This homemade dressing can also be served as a dipping sauce for appetizers.

Miso and sesame oil dressing

This versatile dressing makes great use of pantry staples: miso adds umami flavor, and sesame oil adds a nutty flavor. Use it as a salad dressing with leafy greens, Chinese noodles, or even as a dip for fresh vegetables.

Yogurt salad dressing with garlic and herbs

Greek yogurt gives this garlic salad dressing a creamy texture and a subtle tartness, while fresh herbs infuse it with a wonderful aroma. Use whatever herbs you have on hand (parsley, chives, basil, dill), or you can combine several.

Green Goddess Avocado Salad Dressing

This Green Goddess avocado salad dressing, made with mayonnaise and fresh herbs, is a great idea for summer appetizers. It's perfect for dressing vegetable salads and as a dip for veggies and crackers. For a healthier dressing, replace some of the mayonnaise with ripe avocado. Its delicate texture makes it a harmonious part of the dressing, and freshly squeezed lime juice enhances the flavor. Use a variety of fresh herbs, such as basil, parsley, tarragon, and chives.

Caesar Salad Dressing with Yogurt

This healthy version of the beloved Caesar salad dressing is low in calories and fat: thick Greek yogurt replaces the egg yolk, providing the same richness. The dressing is also super quick and easy to make: simply combine all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth.

Honey mustard salad dressing

A little oil and vinegar help the two namesake ingredients of this delicious salad dressing meld into a perfectly balanced, creamy, and flavorful sauce for your leafy greens.

Tahini salad dressing

"Try the combination of tahini, garlic, and lemon, a favorite throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East, in a fantastic salad dressing sweetened with honey. It also works well with grilled fish, roasted chicken, steamed vegetables, grain bowls, and more. When you add the tahini to the dressing, you may find it thickens considerably. Don't worry—it will become pourable again once you add a little water," advises Amy Stevenson, chef and cookbook author.

Homemade Ranch Dressing

Homemade ranch dressing, made with buttermilk and fresh herbs, will make any salad (or any dipping appetizer) much more delicious and truly special. This recipe works best with homemade mayonnaise, but if you choose store-bought, choose the highest quality.







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