The Best Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes: Quick, Healthy Vinaigrettes and Creamy Classics
Stop buying bottled dressing. Learn how to make the best salad dressing from scratch, including quick 5-minute vinaigrettes, creamy ranch, and zesty Italian recipes that taste better than store-bought versions.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 5 min
- Yield: About 3/4 cup 1x
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Shaking/Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Gather all your ingredients for the basic vinaigrette.
- Place the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper into a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- Secure the lid firmly on the jar.
- Shake the jar vigorously for 30 seconds until the dressing emulsifies and thickens slightly.
- Taste the dressing and adjust salt or vinegar as needed for your preference.
- Use immediately over your favorite greens, or store in the refrigerator for later use.
Notes
- For a creamy dressing variation, add 2 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt or mayonnaise to the mixture before shaking.
- This basic vinaigrette works well as a marinade for chicken or vegetables.
- To make a Maple Mustard Dressing, add 1 tablespoon of pure maple syrup to this base recipe.
- If you prefer a sweeter Italian Salad Dressing Recipe, increase the oregano and add 1 teaspoon of sugar or honey.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tbsp
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 0.2g
- Sodium: 115mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 0.5g
- Fiber: 0.1g
- Protein: 0.2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg