Ever wonder what makes your favorite restaurant salad irresistible? The answer might be the salad dressing. A perfect salad dressing brings life to bland leafy vegetables and can elevate the simplest mix of greens into a show-stopper meal. Salad dressings also make or break the nutrient profile of your salad. The best dressing is the one where you know what went into it. In other words, the dressings you make at home or from a restaurant that is transparent about their recipes like we are at Forage Kitchen.

Whether you are crafting a classic Cobb or experimenting with greens from your garden, the dressing recipes in this guide will help you transform even the most ordinary salads into extraordinarily flavorful, balanced dishes. Let's get started!

Why Make Your Own Salad Dressing?

Homemade salad dressing made without added preservatives and other additives offers unmatched freshness. It is also budget-friendly as you can use the ingredients already in your pantry. But the best part of making your own salad dressings is that you can have control of the flavors in your meal. When you like what you eat, making salads for one meal a day becomes easier, eventually leading to a healthier life.

Basic Ingredients for Salad Dressings

Creating a standout salad dressing starts with its essential components. These ingredients, along with the flavor, contribute to the texture and health benefits. Here are some foundational ingredients to help you make top-notch salad dressings at home.

Oils

Oils form the base of most dressings. They provide richness and a smooth mouthfeel. Commonly used oils include olive oil in Mediterranean salads, avocado oil in Western dishes, and sesame oil in Asian-inspired recipes. You can also use sunflower oil, as we do for our Creamy Tahini dressing.

Acids

Salads get their signature tang from acidic elements in the dressings. Apple cider vinegar and balsamic vinegar are classic choices that elevate the flavor profile of any dressing. Apple cider vinegar adds a bright yet slightly fruity sharpness, while balsamic vinegar imparts a rich sweetness and depth, making it ideal for dressings that complement raw greens or roasted vegetables. Citrus juices like lemon, lime, or orange bring a burst of natural vibrancy with a fresh twist.

Emulsifiers

Emulsifiers are important to keep all the ingredients of your salad together. Emulsifiers like mustard and egg yolks bind oil and acid together, creating a silky texture. Mustard adds a subtle tang, while egg yolks contribute to the creaminess.

Seasonings

Seasonings can bring freshness or depth to your dressing. Fresh herbs like thyme, cilantro, and sage, and dried herbs like basil, oregano, and dill bring aromatic intricacy to your meal. Spices such as garlic powder and chili flakes add heat. Introducing honey or maple syrup balances the acidity, making your dressing alluring.

With these simple ingredients, you can create endless variations of salad dressings. You can always mix and match to suit your palate.

Quick Recipes for Homemade Salad Dressings

Making your own salad dressing is not as hard as it sounds! Let’s dive into three quick and easy recipes that will turn your salads into headline-worthy dishes!

Classic Vinaigrette

A classic vinaigrette is versatile and you can create variations by changing the type and the amount of vinegar, depending on your preferences. Here’s how you can make your vinaigrette, a timeless favorite.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons vinegar of your choice balsamic, red wine, or apple cider
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon of honey or maple syrup optional for sweetness
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lime juice (optional)

Step-by-Step Recipe

1. Whisk the vinegar of your liking, Dijon mustard, and honey in a measuring cup using a whisker or fork.
2.  Slowly pour the olive oil while whisking. This helps create a smooth texture by emulsifying the mixture.
3. Add salt and pepper to taste. If your dressing feels too tangy, add olive oil and adjust the acidity.
4. Adding finely minced garlic and other herbs for an extra flavor punch.
5. You can add lime juice or another tablespoon of vinegar if you need additional tanginess and honey or maple syrup in case you want your vinaigrette sweet.

If you want to play around with this recipe, use red wine vinegar to create our classic Red Wine Vinaigrette at home.

Creamy Caesar Dressing

A creamy Caesar dressing is made with simple ingredients –  mayonnaise, garlic, anchovies, Parmesan, and lemon juice.

Ingredients

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 mashed anchovy fillets or paste
• ¼ Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• Lemon juice
• Olive oil (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Dijon mustard
• Worcestershire sauce

Step-by-Step Recipe

1. In a mixing bowl combine ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 finely minced garlic cloves, Dijon mustard, 3 mashed anchovy fillets or paste, ¼ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, Worcestershire sauce, and the juice of one lemon.
2. Whisk it all together until smooth. Adding a tablespoon of olive oil makes the consistency lighter.
3. Add salt and pepper to taste or an extra squeeze of lemon for balance.

Its creaminess pairs wonderfully with Cobb salad, roasted chicken, and more. Its savory richness pairs beautifully with the crisp greens, smoky bacon, and tender chicken.

Cilantro Lime Dressing

This zesty and fresh dressing combo is excellent for adding a burst of flavor to your salads, and tacos. You can also use this dressing as a marinade for roasting your chicken.

Ingredients

• Cilantro
• Garlic
• Lime juice
• Honey or maple syrup
• Sea salt
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Ground coriander

Step-by-Step Recipe

1. Roughly chop cilantro and mince the garlic.
2. Combine cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, honey, coriander, salt, and pepper in a blender or food processor. Blend till you get your desired consistency.
3. If the dressing is too thick, add a tablespoon of olive oil until you reach your desired consistency.
4. Add more lime juice for extra tang or honey for sweetness.

You can also create variations of this recipe by adding avocado and Greek yogurt to the mixture.

Pairing Your Salad Dressing with the Right Salad

Classic vinaigrette is the perfect companion to a Cobb salad, complementing its bold flavors while balancing the richness of ingredients such as avocado, bacon, cherry tomatoes, and hard-boiled eggs. 

Creamy Caesar salad dressing is a good match for a variety of salads and dishes. Its tangy, rich savory flavor makes it compatible with everything from classic romaine salads and grilled chicken bowls to hearty Cobb salads and seafood-infused plates.

Meals that shine with cilantro lime dressing are southwest salad and taco salad. avocado salad, fish tacos, chicken tacos, and many more. 

A Note from Forage Kitchen

The right dressing makes all the difference. They add depth, richness, and complexity to a simple salad or grain bowl and transform ordinary bland ingredients into something loaded with flavor. If you want more variety in your salads, Forage Kitchen is always here to help, crafting farm-fresh salads dressed with flavors that you just can’t get enough of. Order one of our carefully curated bowls or wraps for lunch today!

For instance, our Harvest bowl with spinach, roasted squash, avocado, golden raisins, feta, candied walnuts, and tahini dressing is the perfect companion to a winter day.