I’ve been eating healthy for a while, so I’ve had my fair share of salad dressing experience. I still do enjoy a salad, but I prefer many other things than that. Although, I do have to mention, salads at restaurants taste bomb. I’m assuming it’s because they have far more variety in ingredients than what I have in my fridge (I’m a lazy girl and I don’t like going grocery shopping for multiple items, what can I say?) . Now because I don’t have many ingredients in my fridge, I understand if you don’t either. To help you lazy buddies out, I’ve got 4 healthy & simple salad dressing recipes. Most likely, you will have most of these ingredients in your fridge or pantry. If you don’t, well… They’re essentials, so you should get on it!
For anyone that’s just starting to get into healthy eating, salads would be the first thing they think of and look to because it’s the most basic and known one. Obviously, there are many more delicious recipes like quinoa pizza, quinoa salad, devilled eggs, or coconut pudding, but if you’re just starting on this journey, it’s an automatic choice.
By the way, feel free to change up any ingredient portions because I honestly don’t measure anything, I just mix it according to how I feel. As you learn to experiment with salad dressings, you’ll really enjoy it.
All recipes serve 1-2 people, depending on how much dressing you like… Yunno, because there’s people who use the whole packet of salad dressing, then there’s people who only use 1/4th of it.
Mustard Lemon Salad Dressing
As the name implies, those are the main ingredients. Any additional ingredients are optional and up to you. This is a salad dressing that I’ve enjoyed and have been eating since I was a teen. I used to go the whole lemon/ lime with salt and pepper route, but thanks to my sister, I’ve learned to spice it up with mustard. I just saw her making it one day and was fascinated. So being the younger sister, I copied her because obviously whatever the older sibling does must be ‘cool, amazing, and smart’.
Ingredients
1 Whole lemon or lime 1 Tbs Dijon mustard or regular mustard 1/2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil 1 Clove of garlic Pinch of salt and pepper
Directions
Mix everything together
Balsamic Orange Salad Dressing
When it comes to balsamic salads, I always enjoy the dressing with something sweet, like fruits and cranberries. If I could crush cranberries into the salad dressing, I would. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any, but it’s a great addition! Instead, I used orange juice to sweeten it up, but of course, you can use both. This is best with arugula salad or anything with dried or fresh fruits.
Ingredients
1 Tbs balsamic vinegar
1/4th Squeezed orange juice
Handful of cranberries
Directions
Mix everything together
Mango Salsa Salad Dressing
Anything salsa or pico de gallo tastes amazing. I love pico de gallo on tacos, on salad, on toast, anything! But because we don’t want to make just any salad dressing, I decided to mix it up with some puree’d mango. Obviously you can keep it diced instead, it’s your call.
Ingredients
1 Whole mango diced or puree’d
1/2 Tomato diced or puree’d
1/2 Lemon or lime
Small handful of chopped coriander
Pinch of salt and pepper
Directions
Mix everything together
Asian Sesame Salad Dressing
This salad dressing is very mild in flavour. It tastes best on steamed bean sprouts or cucumber. Basically, it’s good on anything with a very mild taste. I used it in my Spicy Cucumber Pasta Salad. It makes bean sprouts taste similar to the ones you find at Korean Barbecue. Use chives and sesame seeds to amp up the taste.
Ingredients
2 Tbs soy sauce
2 Tbs Sesame oil
1 Tbs Rice wine vinegar
1 Stalk chopped chives or green onion
1/4th Tbs sesame seeds
Directions
Mix everything together
What’s your favourite salad dressing?
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