Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes (2024)

Here are 6 easy homemade salad dressing recipes you can easily make at home. From a super tasty ranch dressing, to homemade thousand island to a light Italian vinaigrette, these are the best dressings you’ve ever tasted! My husband Mike had to edit to add this after a recent taste test on our show!! These homemade salad dressings are quick and easy to make and cost a lot less than store bought!

Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes (1)

6 Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes

One of the comments we hear over and over again is about how much money people are saving using the homemade salad dressing recipes from Volume 1 of our Dining on a Dime Cookbook.And you wouldn’t believe how delicious they are if you haven’t tried them! These easy salad dressing recipes are quick and easy and the best part is they are much less than half the cost of dressing from the store!

We get complimented over and over again about our homemade salad dressing recipes from people who say, “My family refuses to even eat store bought salad dressing now and they homemade dressings are so fast to make!”

This post includes some of our favorite homemade salad dressing recipes for you to try!

This homemade ranch dressing recipe is quick and easy to make and is versatile for salads, vegetables and many other foods. It is so delicious and fresh, you’ll wonder why you ever bought store bought! It also makes an easy party dip!

Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes (2)

Ranch Dressing Recipe (Ranch Dip)

1 cup mayonnaise (low-fat may be used)
1 cup buttermilk
2 Tbsp. green onions, minced (tops only or chives)
1/4 tsp. onion powder or 1 Tbsp. fresh onions, minced
2 tsp. parsley, minced
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. garlic powder or 1/2 to 1 garlic clove, finely minced
1/4 tsp. paprika
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper

Combine ingredients in a container with a lid and refrigerate before serving. Makes 2 cups. For Ranch Dip, use sour cream or yogurt in place of buttermilk.

This thousand island dressing recipe is an easy homemade version of the classic salad dressing that you can make at home for pennies. It’s good not only on salads and vegetables, but also on sandwiches and hamburgers. It’s similar to the Big Mac sauce at McDonalds and is great on hamburgers. Mike tested this homemade salad dressing a recent taste test on our show and loved it!

Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes (3)

Thousand Island Dressing Recipe

3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. sweet pickle relish or sweet pickle, minced
2 Tbsp. chili sauce or ketchup
2 Tbsp. green bell peppers, minced
1 Tbsp. fresh or 1 1/2 tsp. dried parsley
1/2 tsp. onion powder or 2 Tbsp. onion, minced
1/2 tsp. granulated sugar
1/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp. lemon juice 1
hard-boiled egg, chopped

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl except egg. Mix well. Stir in the egg. Refrigerate. Makes 1 1/3 cups.

This homemade blue cheese dressing recipe makes a thick and chunky blue cheese dressing that is super delicious! It’s super fresh and tastes even better than restaurant quality blue cheese, but for only a fraction of the cost!

Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes (4)

Wedge Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe

Dressing

1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
4 oz. crumbled blue cheese
1/4 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. lemon juice

Salad

1 head Iceberg lettuce, rinsed, cut into 6 wedges
6 slices bacon, cookedandcrumbled
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
1/4 cup chives or green onions, chopped

Directions:

Mix the first 6 ingredients for the dressing the day before servingand chill.

Put a wedge of lettuce onto each plate. Top with dressingandsprinkle with mixture of bacon, Parmesan and chives (mixed together).

This Italian vinaigrette salad dressing recipe makes a tasty and full flavored vinaigrette dressing that is lighter than the creamy dressings. It is a restaurant quality vinaigrette salad dressing that you can easily make at home for a fraction of the price of the store bought kind!

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Italian Vinaigrette Recipe

1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 cup olive oil or vegetable oil, or a combination
2 Tbsp. onion, finely chopped, or 1/4 tsp. onion powder
2 large cloves of garlic, crushed
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 Tbsp. parsley, minced
1 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 tsp. dried basil or oregano
1 tsp. sugar

Combine ingredients in a large jar with tight lid. Shake well. Makes 1 1/2 cups.

For Creamy Italian Dressing beat 1/2 cup mayonnaise into Italian Vinaigrette.

For Low-Calorie Vinaigrette substitute apple juice for the oil and reduce vinegar to 1/3 cup.

Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes (6)

Old Fashioned Salad Dressing Recipe

2 cups sugar
2 Tbsp. flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground mustard
3 eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup vinegar
1 cup water
mayonnaise

In a saucepan, combine sugar, flour, salt and mustard. Stir in eggs. Gradually stir in vinegar and water until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Cover and refrigerate. Just before serving, combine desired amount of dressing base with mayonnaise. Refrigerate leftovers. Tastes great on potato salad, coleslaw or salad greens. Makes 4 cups.

This creamy homemade cucumber buttermilk dressing recipe makes a yummy creamy salad dressing you’re sure to love! The cucumber and buttermilk, along with the dill give it an especially tasty and light flavor. Try it today and you’ll definitely be satisfied!

Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes (7)

Homemade Cucumber Buttermilk Dressing

1 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup cucumber, peeled and grated
1 Tbsp. Dijon-style mustard
2 Tbsp. green onions, white and green parts, or chives, minced
2 tsp. fresh parsley, minced or 1 tsp. dried parsley
1/4 tsp. dill, dried
1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
1 tsp. lemon juice or vinegar

Combine all ingredients in a jar with a tight lid. Shake well. Refrigerate. Makes 1 1/4 cups.

3 Ingredient Salad Dressing Recipe

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. cider vinegar

Mix all ingredients and pour the dressing over the salad. Toss and refrigerate 1 hour.

Crunchy Veggie Salad Recipe

2-3 cups broccoli
2-3 cups cauliflower
1 cup (4 oz.) grated cheddar cheese
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup raisins
3 Ingredient Salad Dressing

Just before serving pour dressing over salad and add:
3 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/2 cup sunflower seeds

Serves 4-6.

Most of these easy homemade salad dressing recipes are from Volume 1 of our cookbook:

You can make EASY and delicious meals at home in less time than eating out! You’ll save a ton of money on food and your family will thank you!

Click here to get our Dining On A Dime Cookbooks 25% Off NOW! They’re filled with tasty recipes and tips to make your life easier!

Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What are the 5 most popular salad dressings? ›

We'll also touch upon homemade versus store-bought options, offering recommendations based on regional preferences and pairing ideas.
  • Key Takeaways. ...
  • Ranch Dressing. ...
  • Caesar Dressing. ...
  • Italian Dressing. ...
  • Balsamic Vinaigrette. ...
  • Thousand Island Dressing. ...
  • The Flavor Profiles That Americans Love. ...
  • Versatility For Different Salads.
Nov 25, 2023

What is the healthiest dressing for salad? ›

Oil and vinegar.

“This is a great option, because it won't have any added sugar or salt,” says Allers. “But the type of oil is important. Opt for olive or avocado oil over an alternative like canola or soybean oil.” These healthy oils are packed with antioxidants, and can even help lower cholesterol.

What is the basic formula for salad dressing? ›

Here's my master salad dressing that I use as a base for every salad! You just need 1 tbsp vinegar, 3 tbsp oil and 1/2 tsp mustard. Finish with salt and pepper, or choose from any number of flavourings – garlic, fresh or dried herbs, pinch of spice, touch of honey.

What are the 3 basic types of salad dressings? ›

In Western culture, there are three basic types of salad dressing: Vinaigrette; Creamy dressings, usually based on mayonnaise or fermented milk products, such as yogurt, sour cream (crème fraîche, smetana), buttermilk; Cooked dressings, which resemble creamy dressings, but are usually thickened by adding egg yolks and ...

What is the unhealthiest salad dressing? ›

Caesar dressing. Made up of mayonnaise, cheese, salt and oil (and all too often, anchovies), Caesar tends to be one of the least healthy options out there. Those ingredients cause it to be high in both saturated fats and sodium.

What is the most used salad dressing in the world? ›

Most popular salad dressings:
  • Globally:
  • Ranch (US): A creamy blend of buttermilk, mayonnaise, herbs, and spices.
  • French vinaigrette (France): Simple olive oil, vinegar, and Dijon mustard combination.
  • Avocado cilantro lime (Mexico): Creamy and vibrant taste with avocado, cilantro, and lime.
Feb 3, 2024

What should you avoid when dressing a salad? ›

5 Ingredients To Avoid
  1. Palm Oil. Palm oil can pop up in both creamy and oily dressings, and it's a top ingredient that Taub-Dix said to avoid. ...
  2. Sugar (but it's rarely called sugar) ...
  3. Salt. ...
  4. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) ...
  5. Coconut oil.
Jan 24, 2024

What to avoid in salad for weight loss? ›

Crunchy Noodles, Wontons, and Tortilla Strips

All they add to your salad are calories (around 120 per half cup) and fat (half of those calories, at around 60 grams). Same goes for tortilla strips or wontons.

What can I put on salad instead of dressing? ›

Try a little lemon juice, lime juice, or a light vinaigrette. I have a bottle of walnut oil in my pantry which is very nice on salads, along with white wine vinegar and a little salt and pepper. You can also add yogurt or mustard and some fresh or dried herbs to your dressing.

What primary ingredient is used in most salad dressing? ›

Salad dressings represent one of the typical oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions composed of vegetable oil, vinegar, egg yolk, and starch, which can be categorized into three groups based on the oil content: (1) mayonnaise, (2) spoonable, and (3) French-type dressings.

What is the best vinegar for salad dressing? ›

Balsamic vinegar: Makes a bold, slightly sweet dressing that is wonderful on green salads with fruit, such as apples, strawberries or peaches. Red wine vinegar: Packs a punch and works well with other bold flavors and bright veggies, like tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumber, cabbage and more (think Greek salads).

What is the oldest salad dressing? ›

The Babylonians used oil and vinegar for dressing greens nearly 2,000 years ago. Egyptians favored a salad dressed with oil, vinegar and Asian spices. Mayonnaise is said to have made its debut at a French Nobleman's table over 200 years ago.

What is the second most popular salad dressing? ›

Highlights: Most Popular Salad Dressings Statistics
  • Ranch dressing is the most popular salad dressing in the United States, with 40% of Americans naming it their favorite.
  • Italian dressing is the second most popular salad dressing, preferred by 10% of the US population.
  • 8% of Americans prefer Caesar salad dressing.
Feb 7, 2024

What are the two main ingredients of most standard salad dressings? ›

However, classic vinaigrette dressings are based on a ratio of three parts oil to one part white wine vinegar, with added flavorings to complement the salads or dishes in which they are being used. Vinaigrette flavorings are traditionally garlic, herbs, spices, fruit juices, and grated hard cheeses.

What are the 4 primary dressing types used on salads? ›

The four main salad dressings are vinaigrette, emulsified vinaigrette, mayonnaise-based, and mayonnaise. An emulsion is the permanent blending of unlike ingredients, such as oil and vinegar. Vinaigrettes are lighter dressings used on more delicate ingredients, like salad greens.

What are the most of the basic salad dressings used today? ›

Most of the basic salad dressings used today can be divided into three categories: Oil and vinegar dressings; Mayonnaise-based dressings; Cooked dressings.

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