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Learn how to make the best homemade salad dressing recipes to spruce up your salads and greens. Super delicious and with few ingredients, you’ll find a collection of vegan, low carb and healthy salad dressing recipes to take your healthy eating game to the next level. From raspberry dressing to honey mustard, vegan ranch, cucumber raita and avocado dressing – there’s something special for everyone!
As a dietitian, I completely understand the hurdles many of us face when trying to eat healthier, especially when it comes to getting enough veggies and greens into our meals. I’ve found that the secret to making salads more than just a side dish is discovering the perfect dressings.
That’s where homemade salad dressings come into play.
In my experience, they’re often the missing link, transforming a simple bowl of greens into a flavoursome delight. These dressings are more than just toppings; they’re the delicious touch that brings out the best in every bite.
Whether it’s the abundance of summer’s fresh produce or the heartier winter vegetables, these simple healthy salad dressing recipes effortlessly complement each season, adding a burst of flavour to every salad. Yes, they make healthy eating a pleasure—without compromising on nutrition.
I hope these diabetes diet friendly and heart healthy salad dressings bring as much joy to your meals as they consistently do to mine.
1. Honey mustard dressing
When it comes to versatile salad dressings, honey mustard takes the crown. Its irresistible blend of sweet and tangy flavours adds a delicious punch to any salad, making it a go-to choice for flavor enthusiasts.
5-Minute Homemade Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe
Honey mustard dressing pairings
Looking to jazz up your salad game? Honey mustard dressing is the secret to turning those leafy greens into something truly extraordinary. It’s like the perfect partner in crime, bringing out the best in a range of bitter greens, including:
- Kale
- Spinach
- Arugula
- Watercress
- Collard
- Radicchio
- Dandelion
One of my favourite pairings is using honey mustard dressing in an Oven Roasted Vegetables Salad With Quinoa. The dressing’s zesty sweetness perfectly complements the roasted veggies, while the quinoa adds a delightful texture contrast. It’s a winning combination that adds zest and flavour to your meal.
2. Raspberry salad dressing
5-Minute Creamy Raspberry Dressing (No Vinegar)
Vegan raspberry dressing pairings
This raspberry dressing is a perfect match for fruit and nut-based salads, especially those with citrus, rhubarb, or apricots. While it’s fantastic with spinach and olives, my top choice? Drizzled generously over my Spicy Chickpea Summer Raspberry Salad. Unlike fat-heavy vinaigrettes, this creamy and tangy dressing complements the salad’s spicy notes flawlessly, elevating each bite with its delightful flavour.
A lavish pour of this fruity dressing atop my zesty chicken salad nestled in a bed of crisp Romaine lettuce—oh, it’s a flavour explosion!
3. Cucumber raita with Greek yogurt
Well, raita is your ultimate cooling companion for Indian or Pakistani main dishes. In its traditional Desi (South Asian) form, raita is a yogurt-based condiment enriched with grated cucumber, fragrant herbs, and spices—typically cumin and coriander. However, my take involves a simple twist by incorporating Greek yogurt and a concise list of ingredients.
5-Minute Cucumber Raita With Greek Yogurt
Raita pairing ideas
Picture this: creamy, flavourful raita poured delicately over sizzling pan-fried basa fish fillets, wrapping tantalizing tandoori chicken tikka wraps, or harmonizing with the aromatic notes of my brinjal curry. Tempted?
4. The best ranch dressing
Homemade Creamy Vegan Ranch Dressing
Ranch dressing pairings
I can’t get enough of this ranch dressing—it’s not just for greens and cucumber; I’ve found it’s a game-changer for potato, chicken, and fish salads. Plus, here’s a secret: it’s got a protein boost from the tofu in the mix! Try it with my Chaat Masala Baked Homemade Fries, Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks, or Corn Chaat Salad With Potatoes—each bite is an explosion of deliciousness!
5. Avocado cilantro lime dressing
5-minute Avocado Cilantro Lime Dressing (Creamy!)
Avocado dressing pairings
I’ve found a few mouthwatering recipes that pair beautifully! Personally, I adore using it with my Spicy Chicken Salad, savoring its creamy goodness with Baked Open-Faced Chicken Samosas, or adding that extra zing to my homemade Chicken Patties. Trust me, it’s a flavour party you don’t want to miss
If you give these salad dressing recipes a whirl, I’d love to hear about your experience! Drop a comment, share your rating, or even snap a photo and tag it with #desiliciousrd on Instagram! Your feedback is always welcome and appreciated!
Get the Recipe:
5 Simple Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes: Cucumber Raita
Ingredients
- ½ cup Greek yogurt, plain
- ⅓ cup cucumber, grated, including the juice
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ⅛ tsp salt, sea salt, adjust according to taste
- 1 tbsp mint, fresh, washed, finely chopped
Equipment
- 1 mason jar small, 250 mL
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a 250 mL mason jar.
- Place the lid and shake the mason jar to incorporate all ingredients. You may need to stir with a spoon to fully mix in the mint and spices.
- Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
- Begin with high-quality plain Greek yogurt, preferably Greek or Indian style (thick and creamy).
- Adding herbs and spices like cumin, coriander, chilli powder, garlic, mint, s,alt and pepper will help create depth of flavour for a savoury version of Raita.
- For a sweet version adding rosewater or cardamom to the mix makes for an elegant flavour profile.
- For some extra crunch, fold in a quarter cup of lightly toasted peanuts and two tablespoons of sesame seeds.
- Raita is best served cold, so it’s important to prepare it in advance so that the ingredients can fully incorporate and marinate.
- If you are looking for a version that is vegan-friendly, simply switch out the dairy yogurt for coconut or soy.
Nutrition Information:
Keep in mind that the nutritional values provided are approximations and suggestions, and might fluctuate depending on ingredient variations, portion sizes, and recipe adjustments. This nutrition facts table cannot account for your individual needs. Your body — including your hunger and satiety cues — change daily. It’s perfectly fine to eat more or less on different days. Instead of letting food guilt take over, consider mindful eating.
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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