11 Healthy & Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes

ByViolet ParkerEditorial Policy

I spent years thinking that salads were boring, and reserved them only for the times when I was feeling guilty about a little excessive indulgence and needed a way to force in some extra veggies. Turns out, I was totally wrong. Salads can in fact be beautiful and satisfying, and one of the most important factors that can turn a bowl of greens into something quite spectacular is the dressing. 

Maybe it’s a throwback from growing up in the 90s when there were some quite outrageous (not to mention very damaging) attitudes kicking around towards consuming any kind of fat in your diet, but all too often, people assume that dressings are unhealthy and fattening. 

This simply isn’t true. Yes, they contain calories, but you need to remember that you’re eating a salad, you’re enjoying lots of green goodness and wholesome ingredients, and a good dressing is what will make the whole thing delicious, rather than something to be endured. 

I’ve created this collection of 11 of the best salad dressing recipes that are super easy to make at home, and way better than anything you might buy pre-prepared in the grocery store. Each recipe will yield about enough to fill a small mason jar, so they’re perfect for meal prep and keeping in the fridge so you can enjoy tasty lunches throughout the week. Let’s get down to it… 

1. Homemade Italian Dressing

homemade italian dressing

Classic, zesty, and full of herbs, this Homemade Italian Dressing is a salad superstar. Perfect for crisp greens, pasta salads, or even as a marinade for chicken if you want to get a little creative! It’s the ultimate versatile dressing that everyone will enjoy, and I’ve always got a jar of this in my fridge over the summer months. So good! 

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup olive oil
  • 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

  1. Add all ingredients to a mason jar.
  2. Screw on the lid tightly and shake well until combined.
  3. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week. Shake before each use.

2. Green Goddess Dressing

green goddess dressing

Herbaceous, creamy, and vibrant, this Green Goddess Dressing is perfect for hearty salads, grain bowls, or drizzling over roasted veggies. It’s thought that this dressing originated back in 1923 at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, when the hotel’s executive chef Philip Roemer wanted something to pay tribute to actor George Arliss and his hit play, The Green Goddess.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 3 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh tarragon, chopped
  • 3 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  1. Add all ingredients to a mason jar.
  2. Blend with an immersion blender until smooth, or shake vigorously for a chunkier texture.
  3. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

3. Classic Ranch Dressing

ranch salad dressing

Creamy, tangy, and versatile, Ranch Dressing is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Use it for greens, chicken salads, or even as a dip for veggies or wings.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a mason jar.
  2. Shake vigorously until well mixed.
  3. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week. Shake before serving.

4. Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing

caesar salad dressing

Rich, creamy, and garlicky, this Caesar Salad Dressing pairs beautifully with crisp romaine, crunchy croutons, and Parmesan. You might be a little hesitant about using anchovies in your dressing, but it’s likely that you won’t even notice them – they just add a subtle tang and depth of flavor. If you prefer though, you can of course just leave them out! 

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 3 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2 anchovy fillets, minced (optional)
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  1. Add all ingredients to a mason jar.
  2. Shake well until creamy and combined.
  3. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

5. Honey Mustard Dressing

honey mustard dressing

Sweet, tangy, and with just the right kick, Honey Mustard Dressing is amazing on chicken salads, spinach salads, or as a dipping sauce.

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/3 cup Dijon mustard
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a mason jar.
  2. Shake vigorously until emulsified.
  3. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week.

6. Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

honey balsamic vinaigrette

This Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette is sweet, tangy, and incredibly versatile. Toss it with mixed greens, roasted vegetables, or even a colorful caprese salad.

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  1. Add all ingredients to a mason jar.
  2. Shake well until combined.
  3. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week.

7. Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing

cilantro lime dressing

This zesty, creamy dressing is perfect for taco salads, grilled chicken bowls, or drizzling over fajita veggies.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1/3 cup lime juice
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a mason jar.
  2. Blend with an immersion blender for a smooth consistency or shake for a chunkier texture.
  3. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

8. Blue Cheese Salad Dressing

blue cheese dressing

Bold and tangy, this Blue Cheese Dressing is the perfect pairing for wedge salads, steak salads, or a dip for wings. Blue cheese can be a bit of an acquired taste, but if you’re a fan, you’ll absolutely love this super creamy and flavorsome dressing. 

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/3 cup blue cheese, crumbled
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  1. Add all ingredients to a mason jar.
  2. Shake well, leaving some blue cheese chunks intact.
  3. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

9. Raspberry Vinaigrette

raspberry vinaigrette

This Raspberry Vinaigrette is fruity, tangy, and bursting with fresh raspberry flavor. Perfect for spinach salads, mixed greens, or salads with goat cheese and walnuts.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup fresh raspberries
  • 3/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  1. In a mason jar or blender, add fresh raspberries, vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
  2. Use an immersion blender directly in the mason jar or transfer ingredients to a regular blender. Blend until the raspberries are pureed and the mixture is smooth.
  3. While blending, slowly drizzle in the olive oil to emulsify the dressing.
  4. Taste the dressing and adjust salt, pepper, or sweetness as needed.
  5. Seal the mason jar and store the dressing in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Shake well before each use.

10. Maple Mustard Vinaigrette

maple mustard vinaigrette

Sweet and tangy with a hint of maple, this dressing is perfect for fall-inspired salads with apples, pecans, or roasted veggies.

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  1. Add all ingredients to a mason jar.
  2. Shake until emulsified.
  3. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week.

11. Honey Lemon Dressing

honey lemon dressing

Light, bright, and refreshing, Honey Lemon Dressing is perfect for simple green salads, fruit salads, or grilled chicken salads. It’s a fantastic staple, and it’s one that’s in my regular rotation! 

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/3 cup lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a mason jar.
  2. Shake vigorously until combined.
  3. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week.

These 11 salad dressing recipes are fresh, flavorful, and perfect for keeping in the fridge so you’ve always got the option to upgrade your salad game. Which one will you be trying first?