Best Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes (2024)

The 11 Best Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes. Learn how to make healthy salad dressings at home in under 5 minutes! Delicious and easy to make!

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Healthy Dressing for Salad

If you think salads are boring, these healthy salad dressing recipes will change your mind!

Unlike other salad dressings that are high in sugar and made with lots of preservatives – these homemade salad dressing recipes are made with simple ingredients that you have in your pantry and fridge!

We’ve perfected the art of making healthy homemade salad dressings and this post will show you just how easy they are to make.

If you’ve never made dressing before, don’t worry-even the most novice cooks can follow these healthy dressing recipes!

Say bye to boring salads forever, and make one of these easy healthy dressings!

Why we love these healthy salad dressing recipes

There is a lot to love about healthy homemade salad dressings:

  • Easy to make – It only takes 5 minutes to make a homemade dressing!
  • Great on salads or as a marinade – This tastes delicious on basically any salad especially a spinach salad! You can also use them as a marinade for chicken breasts or marinade for salmon!
  • Tastes so delicious – Homemade salad dressings are ALWAYS better tasting than store bought!

Healthy Salad Dressing Ingredients

The best salad dressing are made with the following combination:

  • Fat: A fat source is a necessity for good dressings. Our favorite thing to use in dressing is olive oil. It gives dressings a rich taste and the perfect texture.
  • Acid: All good healthy dressings have some sort of acid. You can use balsamic vinegar, white vinegar, apple cider vinegar or citrus juice.
  • Flavorful add ins: Something sweet like honey/maple syrup, fresh or dried herbs, or condiments like mustard are all delicious add ins for homemade dressing.

You can find substitutions for all of these ingredients below in the green shaded box.

How to make healthy dressing for salad

Making healthy salad dressings is not hard at all! Typically this is how they’re made:

  1. Gather all you ingredients.
  2. Whisk together in a bowl or blend together depending on the recipe
  3. Store in a mason jar for 4-7 days.

Now let’s get into the best homemade dressing recipes

Lemon Dressing

This Easy Honey Lemon Dressing is so delicious and quick to make! Blend together a few ingredients for the best honey mustard lemon dressing.

To make this recipe you’ll need:

Serve it with:

  • Easy Kale Salad
  • Chicken Marinade
  • As a dressing on Healthy Pasta Salad

Healthy Blue Cheese Dressing

This Healthy Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe is SO easy to make. A Greek yogurt blue cheese that tastes just like the real thing!

To make greek yogurt blue cheese you’ll need:

Serve it with: Crockpot Wings, Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe

Best Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes (5)

Healthy Basil Vinaigrette

The Best Basil Vinaigrette Recipe! This easy Basil Salad Dressing can be made in under 5 minutes with only 5 ingredients. So delicious!

To make Basil Dressing you’ll need:

Serve it with: Caprese Pasta Salad, Italian Salad, Mediterranean Quinoa Salad, Caprese Meatballs

Best Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes (6)

Healthy Ranch Dressing

This Healthy Ranch Dressing Recipe is SO easy to make. A simple Greek yogurt Ranch dressing that tastes just like the real thing!

To make healthy ranch dressing you’ll need:

Serve it with: Slow Cooker Chicken Wings, Avocado Ranch Salad, Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip

Best Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes (7)

Citrus Salad Dressing

This Easy Citrus Salad Dressing Recipe is so delicious and quick to make. A Citrus Vinaigrette Dressing that is great on any healthy homemade salad!

To make this citrus vinaigrette you’ll need:

Serve it with: Blueberry Salad, Spinach Strawberry Salad, As a marinade on chicken

Best Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes (8)

Honey Mustard Dressing

The Best Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe that is delicious! Made with only 6 ingredients, this honey mustard dressing is quick & easy to make!

To make honey mustard vinaigrette you’ll need:

Serve it with: Honey Mustard Chicken Salad, Blueberry Feta Salad, on Vegetable Kebabs, as a marinade for chicken

Best Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes (9)

Healthy Caesar Dressing

The Best Healthy Caesar Dressing Recipe! Easy to make with only a few ingredients, it’s made without anchovies, delicious & low calorie!

To make this creamy healthy caesar dressing you’ll need:

Serve it with: Caesar Salad, Grilled Chicken, Drizzled on top of Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe

Best Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes (10)

Italian Dressing

A Healthy Italian Dressing Recipe that is so easy to make! This delicious Italian Dressing Recipe is perfect on a healthy homemade salad or as a marinade.

Here’s what you need to make homemade Italian dressing:

Serve it with: Blueberry Salad, Grilled Vegetables in Foil, as a dressing on Healthy Pasta Salad

Best Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes (11)

Greek Dressing

This Homemade Greek Salad Dressing Recipe is easy to make and delicious! Done in under 5 minutes – it’s the best Greek dressing recipe!

To make Greek Dressing you’ll need:

Serve it with: Strawberry Spinach Salad, Burger Salad, Strawberry Avocado Goat Cheese Salad, Mixed in with Corn Tomato Avocado Salad or Greek Salad

Best Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes (12)

Creamy Balsamic Dressing

This Creamy Balsamic Dressing Recipe is SO delicious! Made with NO mayo, it’s vegan, keto, healthy and easy to make. Perfect on a healthy homemade salad!

To make thiscreamy balsamic dressing you’ll need:

Serve it with: Spinach Strawberry Salad, In place of the dressing on this Traditional Greek Salad, As a marinade on Balsamic Grilled Chicken or drizzled on Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Best Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes (13)

Avocado Ranch Dressing

This Avocado Ranch Dressing Recipe is better than any store bought dressing! A healthy avocado dressing that is so delicious and easy to make!

To make Avocado Dressing you’ll need:

Serve it with: Spinach Strawberry Salad, Honey Mustard Chicken Salad, Corn Tomato Avocado Salad, Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad, Greek Salad, on top of Avocado Ranch Salad

Best Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes (14)

Healthy Homemade Salad Dressing Substitutions

Olive Oil: You can substitute avocado oil, butter, or ghee.

Honey: Honey and maple syrup can be used interchangeably

Vinegar: White wine vinegar, red wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar can usually be used interchangeably but if you swap them it will change the flavor of the dressing

How to Serve Healthy Salad Dressing

These healthy salad dressing recipes can be used in so many ways! Here are some of our favorites:

  • As a marinade on chicken, steak or seafood
  • Spinach Strawberry Salad
  • Blueberry Salad
  • Honey Mustard Chicken Salad

How to Store Homemade Healthy Salad Dressing

Storing: Most homemade dressings will last in the refrigerator for 4-5 days in an airtight container. I like to store them in glass mason jars. Store bought dressings have a lot of preservatives which allow them to last a long time in the refrigerator, but homemade dressings will not last for more than a week!

Freezing: We don’t recommend freezing homemade dressings. They’re best if eaten fresh!

Separating: Dressings will separate as they sit in the fridge. If your dressing separates you can whisk it together, shake vigorously or blend again to reconstitute the dressing.

Solidifying: Your dressing might get a bit solidified in the refrigerator – don’t worry! Simply set it on the counter for 20 minutes or pop in the microwave for 5-10 seconds and stir.

Healthiest Salad Dressing FAQs

What is the healthiest salad dressing?

The healthiest dressing for a salad is a mix of good quality olive oil (like extra virgin olive oil), vinegar and dried or fresh herbs.

Is dressing healthy?

Salad dressing are usually high in calories, so if you’re looking to lose weight, enjoy them in moderation! The best salad dressings are those made with high quality oils like olive or avocado oil, and organic vinegars and spices.

What is the best vinegar for salads?

You can use almost any vinegars you like on salads! Balsamic, white wine and red wine vinegars are the most common vinegars used on salads. Apple cider vinegar can also be used, but it has a pungent taste. It’s best to mix vinegars with oils to create a balanced dressing for your salads.

Healthy Salad Dressing to buy:

If you don’t want to make your own dressing I totally get it! Here are some of my favorite healthy store bought dressings:

We try to look for dressings that are made with olive oil (not canola oil) when buying store bought dressings!

More like these Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes

Looking for salads to serve these dressings on? Try these healthy salad recipes!

  • Blueberry Salad
  • Honey Mustard Chicken Salad
  • Healthy Pasta Salad
  • Spinach Strawberry Salad
  • Easy Kale Salad

Best Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes (16)

Healthy Dressing for Salad

Recipe by: The Clean Eating Couple

5 from 1 vote

Learn how to make the best healthy salad dressing recipe – a basil vinaigrette that anyone can enjoy!

Prep Time : 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time : 0 minutes minutes

Total Time : 5 minutes minutes

Serves : 6 2 tablespoon servings (makes 3/4 cup dressing)

(hover over # to adjust)

PRINTPINRATE

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a food processor or small blender, combine all ingredients until smooth.

  • Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Video

Best Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes (17)

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Facts

Healthy Dressing for Salad

Amount Per Serving (2 tablespoons)

Calories 172Calories from Fat 162

% Daily Value*

Fat 18g28%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Polyunsaturated Fat 2g

Monounsaturated Fat 13g

Sodium 1mg0%

Potassium 8mg0%

Carbohydrates 3g1%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 1IU0%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 1mg0%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. This is an estimate and can vary pending your ingredients

Tried this recipe?Share it! Make sure to tag @thecleaneatingcouple or use #thecleaneatingcouple!

Best Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What dressing to put on salad for weight loss? ›

Harris-Pincus explains, "Those looking to follow a lower-carb plan or people watching added sugars would do better avoiding sweeter dressings like Honey Mustard, Thousand Island, French or Catalina, and choose oil and vinegar or a balsamic vinaigrette."

What is the healthiest oil for salad dressing? ›

In order to get the most health benefits, Pappa recommends looking for high-quality oil like extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil. These unrefined oils have favorable monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat profiles, which are considered “healthy” fats.

What is the healthiest dressing to put on your salad? ›

Try one of these six simple ideas to get you started.
  • Classic lemon and olive oil. This is a very easy dressing that is good with strong-flavoured leaf salads, such as rocket or kale. ...
  • Lime and chilli dressing. ...
  • Simple balsamic vinaigrette. ...
  • Raspberry vinaigrette. ...
  • Creamy cucumber dressing. ...
  • Creamy mint dressing.

What salad dressing is the least fattening? ›

When it comes to low-calorie and high-nutrient salad dressing options for weight loss, here are three choices:
  • Balsamic Vinaigrette: Balsamic vinegar is naturally low in calories and can add a tangy flavor to your salad. ...
  • Greek Yogurt Dressing: Greek yogurt is a nutritious and protein-rich ing.
Jun 5, 2023

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 is the most unhealthy 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 a healthier alternative to olive oil for salad dressing? ›

Vegetable oils such as canola, safflower, and sunflower will contribute less flavor than olive oil to salad dressings but bring the same body and texture. With so many oil options available, there's no reason to pause cooking for an emergency grocery run; one of these substitutes will fill in nicely.

What is the best vinegar for salads? ›

White wine vinegar

This vinegar has a much mellower flavor than red wine vinegar and lacks the sharp tang of its sister vinegar. White wine vinegar is best used with more delicate salads and any situation where you want to add a hint of vinegar, but do not want that flavor to overwhelm the dish.

Is olive oil or avocado oil better for salad dressing? ›

As with avocado oil, the more refined the olive oil, the milder the flavor, Pumper adds. This is because refined olive oil has a lower polyphenol content. Refined olive oil works well in salad dressings or in pasta sauces. Bottom line, avocado oil is likely more versatile, Nambudripad says.

Is it better to eat salad with dressing or no salad at all? ›

adding salad dressing helps you absorb fat-soluble nutrients (A, D, E and K), found in veggies. With salad dressing, it's likely that you'll also stay fuller for longer because fat can also help make you feel satisfied after eating.

What salad dressing is good for high cholesterol? ›

Vinaigrette-style dressings are easy to make by mixing vinegar (such as balsamic, white or red wine vinegars) with oil. Switching from saturated fats to unsaturated fats like vegetable oils (including olive or rapeseed oils) can help lower cholesterol levels when consumed as part of a balanced diet.

Will eating salads help you lose weight? ›

They are also low in calories, making them a great option for those looking to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. In addition, salads are a good source of antioxidants, which can help protect the body from damage caused by free radicals.

Is zesty Italian dressing healthy? ›

Italian dressing is often considered a healthy option when compared with creamy dressings because it's lower in calories and fat. But because it can be high in sodium and the calories quickly add up if you use more than the serving size, it's still important to watch the amount you eat.

Is olive Garden's Italian dressing bad for you? ›

Olive Garden Signature Italian Dressing

"It also contains several artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors. Lastly, it contains 520 milligrams of sodium per two-tablespoon serving which makes up 22% of your daily intake. Excess sodium intake is a concern for blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke," George adds.

Can I eat salad with dressing to lose weight? ›

Salads can be a healthy choice, but the dressing you choose can make a big difference in the number of calories you consume. Ranch dressing, in particular, is often high in calories and fat. To keep your salad healthy, you may want to consider using a lighter dressing such as balsamic vinaigrette or lemon juice.

Is Italian dressing good for weight loss? ›

If you don't want to derail your weight loss efforts, Italian dressing can make a smarter choice for you. Because it is typically lower in calories and fat as compared to cream-based dressings. You can spice up your salad with delicious Italian dressing without stressing over weight gain.

Can I eat as much salad as I want and still lose weight? ›

Can you lose weight by eating a salad every day? "Eating salads on a daily basis as part of an overall healthy lifestyle may support gradual weight loss over time," says Karnatz. "This is because leafy greens are low in calories and high in volume and fiber, which will keep you satisfied for longer," she adds.

Is ranch dressing good for weight loss? ›

Ranch dressing is not good for weight loss because it contains high saturated fat are sometimes not easily digested. Salad is high in calories,but made with a variety of fruit and veggies. It can be a perfect meal for lunch and dinner because they contain nutritional values such as fiber,vitaminE &vitaminC.

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