As warmer weather kicks in, with summer just around the corner, salads will once again play a starring role in our menus.
I’m a big fan of salads—and a big plate of fresh greens (think kale, spinach, rocket) and some kind of protein (such as chicken, quinoa or fish). Even pasta salads are a great way to whip up something quick when you’re busy, while also being a lighter meal for hot days. While salad is often relegated to a side dish, I’m known to dig into a big, tasty salad and call it a meal.
Related: Best Caesar Salad Recipes
However, I can understand if you don’t particularly enjoy salad; or if you see it as a necessary evil to get your daily dose of fiber.
Most of the time, salads can be boring, and if you’re not keen on greens, to begin with, that only makes any salad less appealing.
In my opinion, salad dressings can make or break a salad, and done well, they can create a surprisingly tasty and flavorful dish. With a few ingredients (the fresher the better), and mixed in the right proportions, you can have a homemade batch of healthy salad dressing in no time at all!
Related: 22 Super Easy Pasta Salads We’ll Be Eating on Repeat this Spring
Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes
From honey mustard salad dressing, avocado green goddess dressing and chipotle honey vinaigrette, to lighter dressings like orange cilantro vinaigrette, white balsamic vinaigrette, lemon poppy seed salad dressing and Greek salad dressing recipes, there are tons of options to choose from.
Here are 38 easy salad dressing recipes to make you a fan of salad! Browse through them, make sure you pin your favorites and let’s dig in.
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This flavorful herbed vinaigrette dressing by Emeril Lagasse tastes wonderful on a dish like a classic Caprese Salad, or it can season a sandwich or top your favorite salad.
Get the recipe: Balsamic Herb Vinaigrette
Krista Marshall
This homemade Russian dressing will make you want to eat a salad every day of the week!
Get the recipe: Homemade Russian Dressing
Shea Goldstein
This flavorful honey key lime dressing is perfect for salads, with the perfect balance of sweet and sour notes.
Get the recipe: Honey Key Lime Dressing
iStock
Next time you reach for a salad, try replacing that creamy dressing with extra virgin olive oil and apple cider or red wine vinegar.
Get the recipe: Olive Oil and Vinegar Dressing
Feeling Fabulous with Kayla
This healthy, homemade dairy-free ranch dressing recipe can be used either as a salad dressing or a dip with one simple addition.
Get the recipe: Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing
Five Heart Home
Creamy honey mustard dressing is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, lightened up with Greek yogurt…and not only is it delicious drizzled over a salad, but it also makes a yummy dipping sauce!
Get the recipe: Lightened-Up Honey Mustard Salad Dressing
The Real Food Dietitian
Drizzled over salad greens or tossed with shredded Napa cabbage, this light and slightly sweet dressing gives everything it touches a sunny punch of flavor.
Get the recipe: Ginger Sesame Vinaigrette
This easy orange cilantro vinaigrette is bursting with a fresh flavor that will add lots of pizzazz to your salads.
Get the recipe: Orange Cilantro Vinaigrette
Peas and Crayons
Quick, easy, and full of flavor, this Thai-inspired honey Sriracha lime dressing is sure to be your new favorite salad topper!
Get the recipe: Honey Sriracha Lime Dressing
Culinary Hill
That smoky-sweet Chipotle honey vinaigrette you love and crave, now made in your own kitchen with easy pantry ingredients. Your new favorite salad dressing!
Get the recipe: Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette
Cookie and Kate
You’re going to love this delicious creamy tahini dressing recipe! It’s simple to make, full of nutritious ingredients and goes with everything.
Get the recipe: Creamy Tahini Dressing
Cooking with Curls
This sweet onion and citrus dressing tastes exactly how it sounds. Tangy undertones from the onions and lemon, with sweetness from the honey!
Get the recipe: Sweet Onion Citrus Dressing
The Clean Eating Couple
This healthy lemon basil vinaigrette is a refreshing, easy salad dressing! Whole30-friendly, vegan, paleo, gluten-free and absolutely delicious!
Get the recipe: Healthy Lemon Basil Vinaigrette
The Real Food Dietitian
This flavor-packed, Whole30-compliant citrus vinaigrette with thyme comes together in minutes and is far healthier and cheaper than store-bought dressings.
Get the recipe: Citrus Vinaigrette with Thyme
The Wholesome Dish
Garlic and herb vinaigrette dressing is an easy homemade salad dressing that’s full of flavor and can be made in minutes with common pantry ingredients.
Get the recipe: Garlic and Herb Vinaigrette Dressing
Erhardts Eat
This honey Dijon vinaigrette dressing is super easy and ready in only five minutes. This dressing is excellent to incorporate into salads, wraps, veggies or as a marinade for meat!
Get the recipe: Honey Dressing Vinaigrette Dressing
Salads 4 Lunch
Use this fresh and delicious zesty lime salad dressing as a marinade for grilled chicken or seafood, or a dressing for your next salad.
Get the recipe: Zesty Lime Salad Dressing
Five Heart Home
Champagne vinaigrette is a fresh, flavorful homemade salad dressing that’s easy to make, complements a variety of salads and even makes a delicious marinade!
Get the recipe: Champagne Vinaigrette
Whitney Bond
Recreate Panera’s Fuji apple salad dressing at home with this 5-minute recipe! This tangy, sweet vinaigrette dressing is bursting with flavor and it’s so easy to make.
Get the recipe: Fuji Apple Salad Dressing
Salt and Lavender
Chipotle lime ranch dressing is smoky, tangy and as spicy as you want it to be! This versatile southwest salad dressing is the ultimate topping for salads, tacos, wraps and so much more.
Get the recipe: Chipotle Lime Ranch Dressing
simple joy
This strawberry salad dressing is made from easy-to-find ingredients and is perfect for all your summer salads!
Get the recipe: Strawberry Salad Dressing
Walder Wellness
This avocado green goddess dressing is filled with nourishing, healthy fats and fresh herbs. It adds a creamy texture and refreshing flavor to so many different dishes!
Get the recipe: Avocado Green Goddess Dressing
Zested Lemon
This roasted garlic vinaigrette recipe is magic in a bottle. The garlic is slow-roasted until it becomes tender, buttery and rich. Perfect for salads, grain bowls and vegetables!
Get the recipe: Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette
The Suburban Soapbox
Skip the bottled dressings and make your own zesty vinaigrette at home! This easy apple cider vinaigrette recipe comes together in seconds and is healthy with a flavor-packed punch.
Get the recipe: Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Berly’s Kitchen
This simple citrus vinaigrette recipe combines the crisp flavors of lemons and oranges to create a sweet yet tart salad dressing!
Get the recipe: Orange Citrus Vinaigrette
Weekend at the Cottage
Chopped garlic whisked together with soy, chili flakes, toasted sesame oil and rice wine vinegar.
Get the recipe: Asian Salad Dressing
Spend with Pennies
Spinach salad dressing is zesty and delicious, a perfect blend for a spinach salad.
Get the recipe: Spinach Salad Dressing
Savory Nothings
This white balsamic vinaigrette is a delicious homemade salad dressing you can whip up in less than 5 minutes!
Get the recipe: White Balsamic Vinaigrette
Tidy Mom
Homemade honey sesame Asian salad dressing is a light and healthy salad dressing made with just a few simple ingredients. This sesame vinaigrette is packed with flavor and perfect for any Asian-inspired salad.
Get the recipe: Honey Sesame Asian Salad Dressing
Savory Nothings
This lemon poppy seed salad dressing is the perfect thing to put on all your spring and summer-inspired salads.
Get the recipe: Lemon Poppy Seed Salad Dressing
Kitchen Stewardship
This Asian toasted sesame dressing is bright and refreshing. Pair your salad with a warm bowl of cream of potato soup for an easy weeknight dinner or another entree for a keto approach.
Get the recipe: Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing
