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Homemade salad dressing recipes can take your greens from blah to bam! Sure, store-bought options are convenient, but they often come loaded with hidden sugars, unhealthy fats, and who-knows-what else. With a few simple ingredients and a quick whisk, you can whip up a delicious, healthy dressing that perfectly complements your salad’s flavors.
Why Make Your Own Vegan Salad Dressing?
Tradtional salad dressings can be loaded with hidden sugars, unhealthy fats, and unexpected ingredients. Here’s why making your own vegan salad dressing is a great choice:
- Simple and Fresh Ingredients: These flavorful salad dressings are made at home with simple ingredients and ready to serve in just a few minutes!
- Oil-Free (Optional), Dairy-Free, and Gluten-Free: There’s no need to substitute as they’re made completely of plant-based ingredients.
- Nutrient-Dense: These rich and savory recipes are genuine weekly favorites and nutrient-dense, perfect for meal planning and making quick vegan salads or bowls.
Get ready to ditch the store-bought dressings and elevate your salads with these delicious homemade options!
Homemade Vegan Salad Dressing Recipes
What You’ll Need Ingredients In This Salad Dressing
The majority of the ingredients are usually already in your kitchen. You won’t need to go to a specialty store to find any of the ingredients. I’m sharing sixteen ( But every day I add recipes to the site.) of my favorite homemade salad dressing recipes that are quick, simple, and wholesome.
You’ll need the following to make most salad dressings:
- Something with strong acidity. You can use lime juice, lemon juice, wine vinegar, and balsamic vinegar.
- A little bit of fat. Most vinaigrette-style dressings have oil as a standard ingredient. My preferred oils are extra virgin olive oil and avocado oil.
- A touch of sweetness might help to unify the tastes and round out the dressing. Maple is my preferred sweetener but agave will suffice.
- Other herbs and spices, as well as salt and pepper. Salt and pepper will bring out the flavors of the other ingredients, so don’t leave them out!
The jar-and-shake method can be used to make any of these recipes. Simply combine all of the ingredients in a jar with a sealed jar. If you use a blender or a food processor, you can make a number of the recipes below smoother.
Some of my prepared salad dressings for you are versatile and can use as a dipping sauce. They taste better when they partner with our Roasted Asparagus-Balsamic, Air-Fried Cauliflower Buffalo Wings, Vegan Fried Ravioli. For more air-fryer recipes check out: Hearty Vegan Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Satisfy. No worries they are vegan too.
Below are the vibrant, zesty, plant-based, and flavorful salad dressings I’ve rounded for you! Perfect for any occasion and as your side dish. Let spice up your green salad with these homemade vegan salad dressing recipes.
Key Takeaways
- Making your own vegan salad dressings is a healthier option as it avoids hidden sugars and unhealthy fats found in store-bought versions, using simple, fresh, and nutrient-dense ingredients.
- The dressings, which can be made in minutes with common kitchen ingredients, are versatile and can be used not only on salads but also as dips or toppings for various dishes.
- Recipes like Raspberry Vinaigrette, Tahini Green Goddess, and Avocado Lime offer diverse flavors and are designed to enhance the taste of salads while being entirely plant-based and customizable to your taste preferences.
Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes (Including Flavorful Vinaigrettes):
1. Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing
This dressing will quickly become your new favorite salad dressing for the summer! It is adaptable, not too sweet, tangy, and has a well-balanced tasty.
2. Mandarin Orange Vinaigrette
This simple mandarin orange vinaigrette is very tangy, and it pairs nicely with a spinach salad. They are in 5 minutes!
3. Italian Herb
Italian Herb Salad Dressing is an American pantry staple made with Italian ingredients such as garlic, extra virgin olive oil, oregano, and basil. This dressing is simple to make and tastes good rather than the store-bought version.
4. Sweet Lime
A refreshing Sweet Lime Dressing is a great way to say hello to warmer weather, and it’s perfect on a chopped salad, a wholesome grain salad, or any big bowl of veggies and greens.
5. Orange Mustard
A quick oil-free and fat-free vegan salad dressing this orange mustard also known as Vegan Dijon Mustard are perfect for you! This salad dressing is adaptable and goes well with a variety of salads.
6. Caesar Salad Dressing
This caesar dressing recipe is just as super garlicky, zesty, and savory, and it goes great with fresh, simple salads as the traditional version, but without the dairy, anchovies, or eggs. They are totally vegan, so it’s best suited for everyone.
7. Tahini Green Goddess
This creamy, herbaceous Tahini Green Goddess goes with almost anything! Plus: It’ll be ready in 10 minutes! This dish is gluten-free, nut-free, and vegan.
8. Vegan Ranch Dressing
Vegan Ranch Dressing is oil-free, smooth, and only requires ingredients and 1 bowl to make. For veggies, salad, and more, this dairy-free dressing is ideal.
9. Thousand Island Dressing
In 6 minutes, you can make a delicious vegan thousand island dressing. An easy 6-ingredient recipe that can be used as a salad dressing, topping, or dip.
10. Greek Salad Dressing
A delectable Greek salad dressing recipe that will make you want to travel to Greece right now! It’s really simple to prepare and tastes vibrant, zingy, and great.
11. French Dressing
This French dressing is ideal for topping up your vegan salads. It’s a simple vegan dressing with only a few ingredients that will spice up your salads.
12. Carrot-Ginger Dressing
Carrot-Ginger Dressing is based on the dressing served in a Japanese restaurant. It’s vibrant and tasty, and it’s really simple to make at home with no extra ingredients.
13. Avocado Lime
The avocado lime dressing is a vibrant, fresh, and healthful salad dressing that also works as well as a dip. It’s a simple and delicious sauce to have on hand for healthy eating.
14. Balsamic
The zesty, sweet flavor of the balsamic dressing is as adaptable as it gets. This recipe is popular as a salad dressing, as well as poured on roasted veggies.
15. Coleslaw
This coleslaw or cabbage salad is an iconic mixture of tart and sweet ingredients. It serves 1 medium head of chopped or shredded cabbage.
16. Japanese Miso
Here’s a quick and easy Japanese Miso dressing recipe! The flavors of ginger, miso, and sesame oil go well with salads, veggie bowls, grain bowls, Asian-style slaws, and roasted or grilled veggies.
Storage Recommendations
Homemade salad dressings can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 weeks. Shake well before serving, as the ingredients may separate.
Serving Suggestions
Here are some recommendations for pairing your homemade vegan salad dressings with specific salads:
| Dressing Name | Salads Pairs Well With |
|---|---|
| Raspberry Vinaigrette | Summer berry salad, spinach salad with pecans and goat cheese (omit goat cheese for vegan option) |
| Mandarin Orange Vinaigrette | Spinach salad, kale salad |
| Italian Herb | Chopped salad, Caprese salad (omit mozzarella for vegan option) |
| Sweet Lime | Chopped salad, grain salad, veggie bowls |
| Orange Mustard | A variety of salads |
| Caesar Salad Dressing | Simple green salad, romaine lettuce salad with croutons (omit croutons for a completely vegan option) |
| Tahini Green Goddess | Roasted vegetable salad, grain bowls |
| Vegan Ranch Dressing | Veggie sticks, salads |
| Thousand Island Dressing | Salads, wraps, sandwiches (dressing) |
| Greek Salad Dressing | Greek salad |
| French Dressing | Simple green salad |
| Carrot-Ginger Dressing | Salad with shredded carrots, Asian-inspired noodle bowls |
| Avocado Lime | Salads, veggie sticks (dip) |
| Balsamic Vinaigrette | Salads, roasted vegetables |
| Coleslaw Dressing | Coleslaw |
| Japanese Miso Dressing | Salads, veggie bowls, grain bowls, Asian slaws, roasted/grilled vegetables |
Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes: Dress Up Your Greens and Your Meals
With this arsenal of sixteen flavorful, vegan salad dressing recipes at your fingertips, you’re never more than a few minutes away from transforming a simple salad into a delightful meal. No more hidden sugars or mystery ingredients lurking in store-bought dressings. These recipes are easy to customize with your favorite herbs, spices, and vinegars, allowing you to create dressings that perfectly complement your salad’s ingredients.
So ditch the boring bottled stuff and embrace the fresh, vibrant world of homemade salad dressings! Not only will your taste buds thank you, but you’ll also be nourishing your body with wholesome, plant-based ingredients. Pick your favorite dressing, grab some fresh greens, and get creative in the kitchen. The possibilities are endless – happy salad dressing!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these salad dressings oil-free?
While some dressings, like the Vegan Ranch Dressing, are oil-free, most of the recipes call for extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil as a base.
Can I use these dressings on anything besides salads?
Absolutely! The article mentions several dressings that can be used as dips for vegetables or included as a topping on roasted vegetables or grain bowls.
How long will these homemade dressings stay fresh?
The shelf life depends on the ingredients. Dressings with fresh herbs may only last a few days, while dressings with shelf-stable ingredients like olive oil and vinegar can last up to two weeks in the refrigerator.
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