Best 10 Simple Salad Dressing Recipes

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In the world of culinary arts, simple salad dressing stands out as a fundamental component, capable of elevating ordinary greens into a symphony of flavors. Whether you prefer the classic vinaigrette, the creamy Caesar, or the tangy honey mustard, the right dressing can transform a salad from a mundane side dish into a delightful centerpiece of your meal. With a myriad of options available, crafting the perfect salad dressing can seem like a daunting task. However, fear not, for this comprehensive guide will lead you through the intricacies of creating mouthwatering dressings that will leave your taste buds dancing.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

SIMPLE LIME SALAD DRESSING



Simple Lime Salad Dressing image

We recently stayed in a villa in Bali. The cook made this dressing a couple of times to go over a salad of mixed greens tomatoes and cucumber. She included mint in the salad-not the dressing. Her recipe was actually just equal quantities of lime juice, white (not palm) sugar, and olive oil, garlic and slat and pepper, so it's super easy to make enough for 1 or 12.

Provided by JustJanS

Categories     Salad Dressings

Time 5m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 garlic clove, crushed
salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Mix all together until the sugar has dissolved then serve over salad ingredients of your choice.

SIMPLE CAESAR SALAD DRESSING



Simple Caesar Salad Dressing image

This flavorful vinaigrette takes the work out of Caesar salad dressing!

Provided by sal

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Salad Dressing Recipes     Caesar Dressing Recipes

Time 5m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 7

⅓ cup lemon juice
⅓ cup white vinegar
⅓ cup water
¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
2 ½ tablespoons prepared Dijon-style mustard
1 teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • In a jar with a lid, combine lemon juice, vinegar, water, cheese, mustard, garlic powder and pepper. Cover and shake well. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 19.3 calories, Carbohydrate 2.2 g, Cholesterol 1.8 mg, Fat 0.7 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 1.1 g, SaturatedFat 0.4 g, Sodium 159.8 mg, Sugar 0.3 g

SIMPLE SALAD DRESSING



Simple Salad Dressing image

"A friend created this mild and light dressing that's a snap to whip up with on-hand ingredients," says Joan Rose of Langley, British Columbia. "Whenever I serve it, someone asks for the recipe."

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 5m

Yield about 1 cup.

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Salad greens and vegetables of your choice

Steps:

  • Combine the first six ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid; shake until blended. Store in the refrigerator. Shake before serving; drizzle over salad.

Nutrition Facts :

SIMPLE HONEY MUSTARD SALAD DRESSING



Simple Honey Mustard Salad Dressing image

From the first time I tasted this salad dressing, it has been a favorite at our house, served almost exclusively. It's quick to prepare, and it's easily made "light" by using fat-free or light mayo. -Patty Brewer, Kansas City, Missouri

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 5m

Yield about 1/2 cup dressing.

Number Of Ingredients 4

6 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons honey
Assorted salad greens, tomatoes and croutons

Steps:

  • In a bowl, combine the mayonnaise, mustard and honey; mix well. Store in refrigerator. Serve over salad.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 192 calories, Fat 17g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 8mg cholesterol, Sodium 302mg sodium, Carbohydrate 10g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.

SIMPLE SICILIAN SALAD DRESSING



Simple Sicilian Salad Dressing image

Clean tasting; not too oily, not too sour. If you really need it, add garlic, but I wouldn't recommend it. Use this dressing on a mixed greens salad with as many vegetables as you enjoy. I have eaten this dressing almost every day since I had teeth! (And that's a long time, believe me!)

Provided by Andrea Runde

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Salad Dressing Recipes

Time 5m

Yield 3

Number Of Ingredients 4

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
½ teaspoon dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Mix together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, oregano, salt and pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 128.8 calories, Carbohydrate 1.7 g, Fat 13.5 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 0.1 g, SaturatedFat 1.9 g, Sodium 196.4 mg, Sugar 1.5 g

SIMPLE GREEN BEAN SALAD WITH LEMON DRESSING



Simple Green Bean Salad with Lemon Dressing image

Provided by Aida Mollenkamp

Categories     side-dish

Time 9m

Yield 2 to 3 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 pound green beans, trimmed
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon lightly packed lemon zest
1 teaspoon rinsed and finely chopped cured anchovies (about 2 fillets)
1 medium shallot, thinly sliced
1/2 cup thinly sliced cured pitted black olives
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Steps:

  • Bring a medium pot of heavily salted water to a boil over high heat. Prepare a water bath by filling a bowl halfway with ice water.
  • Once water boils, add green beans until cooked but still firm, about 4 minutes. Place in ice water bath until cool. Drain and shake off excess water.
  • In a medium nonreactive bowl, thoroughly mix olive oil, juice, zest, and anchovies; season well with salt and pepper. Add green beans, shallot, olives, and parsley, and mix well; taste, adjust seasoning as needed. Salad can be served immediately though flavor improves as it sits.

GREEN PEACH SALAD WITH SIMPLE LIME DRESSING



Green Peach Salad With Simple Lime Dressing image

Eddie Hernandez, who runs a string of Mexican restaurants in Georgia and Tennessee called Taqueria del Sol, came up with a delicious way to deal with hard, unripe peaches. Sliced thinly, softened with salt and brightened with lime juice and Serrano chiles, the peaches become a salad that's a cousin to Mexican street snacks built from unripe mangoes and papayas and punched up with chile salt. The salad keeps well in the refrigerator for several days. Mr. Hernandez likes to eat it with a scoop of cottage cheese on the side, though dabs of goat cheese would do as well.

Provided by Kim Severson

Categories     salads and dressings, side dish

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 5

1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup lime juice
1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
2 cups thinly sliced unripe peaches
2 to 3 finely chopped Serrano chiles (optional)

Steps:

  • In a medium bowl, whisk the oil, lime juice and salt until emulsified. Toss the peach slices and chiles, if using, with the dressing. Cover and chill for at least 10 minutes before serving. Serve with cottage cheese or another soft cheese, adding a last sprinkle of salt.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 281, UnsaturatedFat 25 grams, Carbohydrate 9 grams, Fat 28 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 1 gram, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 235 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams, TransFat 0 grams

SIMPLE GORGONZOLA CHEESE SALAD DRESSING



Simple Gorgonzola Cheese Salad Dressing image

Make and share this Simple Gorgonzola Cheese Salad Dressing recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Barb G.

Categories     Salad Dressings

Time 15m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 4

6 ounces gorgonzola
1/3 cup red wine vinegar (Good quality)
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
salt (optional)

Steps:

  • Crunble gorgonzola cheese into a food processor and add vinegar; run the machine until mixture is smooth.
  • With the machine running,(DO NOT ADD OIL ALL AT ONCE)Add oil in a thin stream very slowly to emulsify.
  • Taste, if needed add some salt.
  • Tranfer oil to small jar; Serve over mixed greens & fruit.

SIMPLE PASTA SALAD DRESSING



Simple Pasta Salad Dressing image

A simple-to-make pasta salad dressing, based on the ingredient list found on a box of pasta salad mix. My recipe is almost identical to the Italian-style pasta salad that comes from a box, but it tastes better.

Provided by Caleb1993

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Salad Dressing Recipes

Time 10m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 11

½ cup canola oil
½ cup white vinegar
6 tablespoons corn syrup
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons minced fresh onion
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon dried parsley
½ teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Steps:

  • Blend canola oil, vinegar, corn syrup, lemon juice, onion, garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt, parsley, basil, and red pepper flakes in a blender until smooth, about 30 seconds.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 231.5 calories, Carbohydrate 16.9 g, Cholesterol 0.7 mg, Fat 19 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 0.5 g, SaturatedFat 1.5 g, Sodium 219.8 mg, Sugar 5.8 g

SIMPLE SALAD DRESSING



Simple Salad Dressing image

Provided by Dana Angelo White, M.S., R.D., A.T.C.

Categories     condiment

Time 5m

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 whole clove garlic, peeled
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon honey
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Smash the garlic clove with the back of a knife. Add garlic to the other ingredients in a jar or other airtight container. Cover, shake well and serve. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 80 calorie, Fat 9 grams, SaturatedFat 1 grams, Sodium 25 milligrams, Carbohydrate 1 grams, Protein 0 grams

Tips:

  • Utilize fresh herbs: Incorporate fresh herbs like basil, cilantro, parsley, or dill to enhance the flavor of your dressings. These herbs add a burst of taste and aroma that complements the other ingredients.
  • Experiment with spices: Don't limit yourself to salt and pepper. Experiment with various spices such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, or oregano to create unique flavor profiles. Spices add depth and complexity to your dressings.
  • Choose quality ingredients: The quality of your ingredients directly impacts the taste of your dressing. Use fresh, high-quality ingredients to ensure the best possible flavor.
  • Adjust the acid and fat balance: The key to a well-balanced dressing lies in finding the right balance between acidity and fat. Acidity can come from vinegar, lemon juice, or yogurt, while fat can come from olive oil, avocado oil, or nuts. Experiment until you find the perfect harmony of flavors.
  • Emulsify your dressing: Emulsification is a process of combining two liquids that would normally separate, such as oil and vinegar, into a smooth and stable mixture. Use a whisk or blender to emulsify your dressing, resulting in a smooth and creamy texture.

Conclusion:

With a wide range of recipes to choose from, you can create dressings that cater to your personal taste preferences and complement various salads, dips, and marinades. Remember, the key to a great dressing lies in experimentation and finding the right balance of flavors. Embrace the culinary journey and enjoy the satisfaction of crafting your own homemade dressings that add a touch of magic to your meals.

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