We all tend to go to make the same salas, the same mix of flavours, the same dressing. Today I bring you 10 salad dressings so you can vary them constantly instead of adding lemon and olive oil to everything. Because honestly who can crave a salad when they’re always the same!
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Dressing typically are emulsions, that is the mix of a fat (such as olive oil) with a liquid (such as vinegar). If you mix them they separate after a while and this is because they’re an unstable emulsion. Another example of an emulsion is mayonnaise, except that this one is stable. To make an unstable emulsion more stable you can add mustard, honey or even mayonnaise so it doesn’t separate as it lands on your plate. If you’re going to transport your dressing (to the office, beach, picnic, etc), always do so separated from your salad so you don’t wilt your leaves. Also, take them in a container you can shake right before serving to mix everything up one last time.
Many of these have mustard in them. If you don’t like mustard in general don’t worry because you cannot feel its flavour AT ALL, it just helps us stabilize the dressing and adds but a tiny bit of taste.
1. BASIC DRESSING
This is the dressing I go to without thinking. You can replace the lime juice for vinegar if your prefer.
Ingredients
- 1 lime, squeezed
- 1/4 tsp Dijon mustard
- 6 tbsp olive oil, extra virgni
- to taste salt and pepper
Instructions
- Whisk together the mustard, salt and pepper.
- Add the olive oil slowly as you keep whisking.
- Adjust the level of salt and serve.
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2. BALSAMIC
Ingredients
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/4 tsp Dijon mustard
- 6 tbsp olive oil
- to taste salt and pepper
Instructions
- Mix the honey, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper using a whisk.
- Add the olive oil slowly as you keep mixing to incorporate.
- Adjust level of salt and serve.
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3. HONEY MUSTARD
This dressing can also be a dip for veggies and fries, just don’t adjust the texture with water if you’re using it for this purpose.
Ingredients
- 6 tbsp mayonnaise (it can be light)
- 3/4 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 1/2 tbsp honey
- 1/2 lime, squeezed
- water to adjust the texture
- to taste salt
Instructions
- Put everything except the water in a bowl and mix.
- Adjust texture with a bit of water so it’s not so thick.
- Taste and adjust level of salt
4. HONEY AND MAYONNAISE
It’s a replacement for the honey mustard if you’re short on time. It’s sweet and super yummy, perfect for salads with chicken.
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp honey
- to taste salt and pepper
Instructions
- Mix the mayonnaise and honey
- Add a bit of water to adjust texture if needed
- Adjust level of salt and serve
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5. RANCH
This is another dressing that works great as a dip as well for carrot and celery sticks. It’s incredibly YUMMY and super tasty.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise (it can be light)
- 3 tbsp sour cream (it can be light but taste it first, some are gross)
- 3 tbsp milk (can be skimmed)
- 1/8 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 tsp dried dill
- to taste salt and pepper
Instructions
- Mix everything in a bowl
- Adjust texture with water if desired
- Adjust level of salt and serve
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6. ORANGE MARMALADE
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp orange marmalade
- 1/2 lime, squeezed
- 6 tbsp olive oil
- to taste salt and pepper
Instructions
- Pass the marmalade through a sieve. If you want to also add the bits then add half the amount of marmalade.
- Mix with the lime juice, salt and pepper with a whisk.
- Add the olive oil slowly and whisking at the same time to incorporate.
- Adjust level of salt and serve.
7. PESTO
To make this dressing I used my basil, almond and walnut pesto recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp pesto
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- to taste salt and pepper
Instructions
- Mix everything, adjust level of salt and serve.
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8. ITALIAN
With dried basil and oregano to add an italian twist to our salads.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise (it can be light)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/4 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- to taste salt and pepper
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
- Adjust texture with water.
- Adjust level of salt and serve.
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9. GARLIC AND PARMESAN
For garlic lovers, quite different and delicious.
Ingredients
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 6 tbsp mayonnaise (you can use light)
- 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 30 g finely grated parmesan cheese (not granulated)
- to taste salt and pepper
Instructions
- Blend everything except the salt until smooth.
- Adjust texture with a bit of water
- Taste, adjust salt level and serve.
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10. ORIENTAL
For salads with peanuts, fried noodles, chicken, purple cabbage, carrots, etc.
Ingredients
- 40 g ginger
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (don’t use the strong kind)
- 2 tbsp honey
- 4 tbsp sesame oil
- to taste salt and pepper
Instructions
- Peel and grate the ginger using the fines part of a grater or a microplane. Squeeze what you grated using your hand or a sieve. Keep only the liquid.
- Mix the juice with the vinegar, soy sauce and honey using a whisk.
- Add the sesame oil slowly while whisking to incorporate.
- Taste, adjust seasoning and serve.