5 Easy Salad Dressings: Your Salad Companion

There's something magical about a homemade salad dressing. That moment when you whisk together a few simple ingredients and create something infinitely better than anything from a bottle—it's pure kitchen confidence.

These five easy dressings are your secret weapons for eating more greens and impressing guests at your next gathering. Each one takes just minutes to prepare, uses ingredients you likely already have, and transforms even the simplest bowl of lettuce into something extraordinary.

Whether you're prepping weeknight dinners or hosting a dinner party, these versatile dressings will have everyone asking for your recipe. The best part? Once you master these basics, you'll never need to buy store-bought dressing again.

1. Classic Lemon Herb Vinaigrette

Bright, fresh, and endlessly versatile—this is the dressing you'll reach for again and again.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
• 1 small shallot, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh herbs (parsley, chives, or dill), finely chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Combine the Base: In a small jar or bowl, add the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and honey.
2. Add Aromatics: Stir in the minced shallot and fresh herbs.
3. Season and Shake: Add salt and pepper to taste. Seal the jar and shake vigorously for 30 seconds until emulsified, or whisk briskly in a bowl.
4. Taste and Adjust: Sample the dressing on a leaf of lettuce and adjust seasoning as needed.

Best Paired With

• Simple butter lettuce salads
• Grilled chicken or fish
• Fresh spring vegetables

2. Creamy Tahini Dressing

Nutty, creamy, and naturally dairy-free—this dressing adds richness to any salad while keeping things plant-based.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons tahini (well-stirred)
• 2 tablespoons warm water
• 1.5 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small clove garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• Pinch of cayenne (optional)
• Salt, to taste

Instructions

1. Whisk the Tahini: In a medium bowl, whisk together the tahini and warm water until smooth. The mixture will seize up at first, then become creamy—keep whisking!
2. Add Citrus and Oil: Stream in the lemon juice and olive oil while continuing to whisk.
3. Season: Add the minced garlic, cumin, cayenne if using, and salt. Whisk until completely combined.
4. Adjust Consistency: If the dressing is too thick, add water one teaspoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.

Best Paired With

• Kale and cabbage salads
• Roasted vegetable grain bowls
• Falafel and Mediterranean-inspired dishes

3. Honey Mustard Dressing

Sweet meets tangy in this crowd-pleasing classic that both kids and adults adore.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1.5 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup for vegan option)
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon whole grain mustard (optional, for texture)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Mix the Mustards: In a small jar or bowl, combine both mustards (if using) with the honey.
2. Add Vinegar: Stir in the apple cider vinegar until the mixture is smooth.
3. Emulsify with Oil: Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking constantly, or seal in a jar and shake vigorously.
4. Season: Add salt and pepper to taste. The dressing should be balanced between sweet, tangy, and savory.

Best Paired With

• Spinach salads with bacon
• Chicken tender salads
• Roasted root vegetables

4. Asian Sesame Ginger Dressing

Bold, aromatic, and utterly addictive—this dressing brings restaurant-quality flavor to your home kitchen.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, finely grated
• 1 small clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

1. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a small jar or bowl, whisk together the sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and honey.
2. Add Fresh Aromatics: Stir in the grated ginger and minced garlic.
3. Finish: Sprinkle in the sesame seeds and red pepper flakes if using. Shake or whisk to combine.
4. Let It Rest: For best flavor, let the dressing sit for 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

Best Paired With

• Crunchy Asian slaw
• Edamame and mandarin orange salads
• Grilled salmon or tofu

5. Creamy Avocado Lime Dressing

Silky, fresh, and packed with healthy fats—this green goddess-style dressing makes salads feel indulgent.

Ingredients

• 1 ripe avocado
• ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt (or coconut yogurt for dairy-free)
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small clove garlic
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves
• 2-3 tablespoons water, to thin
• Salt, to taste

Instructions

1. Blend the Base: In a blender or food processor, combine the avocado, yogurt, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, and cilantro.
2. Process Until Smooth: Blend on high for 30-60 seconds until completely smooth and creamy.
3. Adjust Consistency: Add water one tablespoon at a time, blending between additions, until you reach a pourable consistency.
4. Season: Add salt to taste and blend once more to incorporate.

Best Paired With

• Taco salads
• Southwest-inspired grain bowls
• Grilled corn and black bean salads

Pro Tips for Perfect Dressings

Storage

Most vinaigrettes will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Creamy dressings like the tahini and avocado lime are best used within 3-4 days.

Emulsification Secrets

For dressings that stay blended longer, always add oil slowly while whisking constantly. A touch of Dijon mustard acts as a natural emulsifier and helps bind oil and vinegar together.

Batch Prep

Double or triple these recipes on the weekend to have dressings ready all week. You'll be amazed how much easier it is to eat your greens when a delicious dressing is waiting in the fridge.

Hosting With Confidence

When entertaining, consider setting up a DIY salad bar with two or three of these dressings. Guests love having options, and you'll look like a culinary pro with minimal effort. Simply prepare the dressings ahead of time, arrange your greens and toppings in beautiful bowls, and let everyone customize their perfect salad.

Our Favorite Hosting Combinations

• Summer Garden Party: Lemon Herb Vinaigrette + Creamy Avocado Lime
• Casual Dinner Party: Honey Mustard + Asian Sesame Ginger
• Mediterranean Night: Lemon Herb Vinaigrette + Creamy Tahini

Let's See Your Creations!

We love seeing what you make with our recipes. Try these homemade dressings and show us your gorgeous salad creations!

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Happy cooking, and thank you for supporting local food and fungi!

— The Emory Market Gardens Team 🍄