My go-to everyday salad dressing recipe that’s quick and easy to make, full of zippy fresh flavors, and versatile enough to go with just about any type of salad!
I’ve been in the habit of making my own salad dressings for years — partly because I prefer to avoid the additives found in many store-bought salad dressings, but mostly because delicious salad dressing is super quick and easy to make from scratch, and it always tastes extra fresh and flavorful!
We fondly call this particular recipe my “everyday” salad dressing in our house, because we quite literally make some version of it nearly every day of the week. (Yes, we eat a lot of salads in our casa.) It’s a basic recipe made simply with olive oil, lemon juice (or vinegar), garlic, Dijon, salt and pepper that can be whipped up in just 5 minutes. And I’m telling you — this salad dressing somehow magically works with just about any type of salad you might be craving!
It’s also an incredibly versatile base recipe that can be easily tweaked and customized, if you would like to play around with using different types of vinegar, mustards, added herbs, or added sweeteners too. Leftovers also keep well in the fridge, if you would like to make a larger batch to stretch out over the course of a week. (Which I find to be excellent motivation to eat more salad — it’s always easier to toss one together when you have some delicious dressing ready to go!) And this salad dressing recipe just so happens to be naturally gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan too.
Anyway, I first introduced this dressing a few years ago when I shared our favorite everyday side salad recipe, and many of you have shared since that it has become a regular staple in your homes as well. So for anyone who may have missed that other post or would just like a stellar salad dressing recipe to bookmark, I promise this one won’t let you down. Let’s make a quick batch!
25 Easy Salad Dressing Recipes
These top homemade salad dressing recipes are easy to make and taste fresh and delicious! Pick from favorites like Caesar, Italian, and balsamic: or see the list above for more ideas.
Prep: 5min
Total: 5min
Yield: 1
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (or honey)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 small garlic clove, minced (about ¼ teaspoon) or ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon each dried oregano, dried thyme, and dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium clove garlic
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (1/2 lemon)
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional but recommended)
- 1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon each kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper
Instruction:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and salt until fully combined. Gradually whisk in the olive oil, adding 1 tablespoon at a time and whisking until it incorporates, until an emulsion forms. Serve immediately. Makes 3/4 cup. Store refrigerated and bring to room temperature before serving (keeps at least 2 weeks).
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, garlic, oregano, thyme, basil, and kosher salt. Gradually whisk in the olive oil, adding 1 tablespoon at a time and whisking until it incorporates, until an emulsion forms. Serve immediately. Makes 1/2 cup. Store refrigerated and bring to room temperature before serving (keeps at least 2 weeks).
- Mince or grate the garlic. Grate the Parmesan cheese as finely as possible (it’s helpful to use a microplane or the fine holes on a grater). Juice the lemon. Whisk together all the ingredients in a bowl. Makes 1 cup. Store refrigerated (keeps at least 1 week).
Everyday Salad Dressing
My favorite everyday salad dressing recipe that goes with just about anything! Feel free to double or triple the batch size if needed.
Prep: 5min
Total: 5min
Yield: 1
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small garlic clove, pressed or minced (or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 tablespoon freshly-squeezed lemon juice (or red wine vinegar)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly-cracked black pepper
Instruction:
- Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl (or shake all ingredients together vigorously in a sealed jar) until completely combined.
- Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for between 1-7 days. (See notes on storage times below.) If you choose to refrigerate the dressing, it will need to be stirred or shaken again prior to serving.
6 Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes To Spice Up Your Salads!
FAQ
What is the most popular salad dressing?
- Ranch Dressing. The ranch is a salad dressing or dip made with buttermilk, salt, garlic, onions, herbs (dill, parsley, chives, etc.), and spices (mustard seeds, black pepper, paprika, etc.) …
- Fry Sauce. …
- Chermoula. …
- Blue Cheese Dressing. …
- Thousand Island Dressing. …
- Italian Dressing.
What is the basic formula for salad dressing?
Traditional vinaigrette recipes call for a ratio of three parts oil to one part vinegar. However, some people—like me—prefer their dressings to pack more punch and choose a 2:1 oil-to-vinegar ratio.
How do you make a salad dressing?
What is the healthiest salad dressing to put on a salad?
