6 Healthy Salad Dressings

One thing that makes or breaks a salad is the dressing and I truly believe it. It is very important to pick the right dressing that complements the salad ingredients. Today I am sharing with you 6 healthy salad dressings that are very easy to whip up and add a great taste and texture to your salad. You can also make these dressings ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to a week.

Personally, I go by a simple rule. If I am preparing a leafy salad with a couple of hardy vegetables like cucumber, celery, I like using a light dressing such as mustard honey or simply a vinaigrette dressing. If making a salad with hardy veggies such as a potato salad, a cream based dressing would be a better option such as a ranch dressing or an avocado creamy dressing.

Salad as a takeaway lunch:

In order to stay on track with my healthy diet, I prefer taking a salad with me to the office as my lunch, which I often prepare the night before. Trust me I have always been getting questions on how I prepare my salad and dressing all in one jar. It is just one simple trick. At the bottom of your salad jar first put the dressing followed by a layer hardy vegetables such as carrot or celery, then a layer of tomatoes, corns, followed by cucumber, olives, and in the end lettuce. So start with hard vegetables ending with the leafy vegetables. Keep it in the fridge if preparing the night before. Before eating the salad just give your salad jar a good shake and voila it is ready to be eaten.

Asian Peanut Dressing

I simply love this dressing when I am craving something naughty yet want to stay on track with my healthy diet. Plus the addition of peanut butter takes this dressing to a whole new level. This dressing is a great addition for a salad with purple cabbage, shredded carrots, celery, rice noodles and coriander (love coriander!).

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Asian Peanut Dressing

This is a perfect dressing to complement a cabbage, carrot salad.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sesame oil or olive oil
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp peanut butter
• 2 tsp siracha optional
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 clove garlic grated
• 1 tbsp ginger grated
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Instructions

• Combine all the ingredients and whisk well.

Creamy Avocado Dressing:

Mmmh that is my reaction every time I eat a salad with this dressing. So luscious and creamy yet so refreshing…simply heaven! I love pairing creamy avocado dressing with a corn and beans salad. It simply lifts the flavors of all the ingredients adding a hint of avocado to it.
Make it once and you will be making it again and again.

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Creamy Avocado Dressing

Ingredients

• 1 avocado ripe
• 1/4 cup greek yoghurt
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic
• 4 tbsp coriander or parsley chopped
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Instructions

• Add all the ingredients in a mixer and blend well.

Balsamic Vinaigrette:

Balsamic Vinaigrette is a go-to dressing for when I am in a hurry or simply do not want to have a lengthy process of making a dressing. The balsamic vinegar is enough to do wonders to your salad and of course olive oil too. This dressing is best suitable for a leafy salad, especially complements rocket salad very well. If you want to add more flavor to your balsamic vinaigrette, then simply add a minced clove of garlic and 1 teaspoon honey.

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Balsamic Vinaigrette

A simple, light and easy dressing. Perfectly suitable for a leafy salad.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Instructions

• Whisk all the ingredients together.

Cherry Tomato Vinaigrette:

An Italian twist to your basic balsamic vinaigrette. Tomato vinaigrette adds a great tangy taste to your salads and can also serve as a light seasoning to your pasta.

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Tomato Vinaigrette

Ingredients

• 1 tomato
• 3/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Instructions

• In a mixer add all the ingredients and blend until you achieve a thinner consistency.

Healthy Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing:

This healthy Greek yogurt ranch dressing is a great way to add a punch of protein and creaminess to your salad. You can also use it to dip in the carrots, celery or veggies of your choice.

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Healthy Ranch Dressing

Ingredients

• 5 tbsp Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp cream cheese
• 1 tbsp parsley
• 1 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 6 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Instructions

• In a bowl mix together Greek yogurt and cream cheese. Add rest of the ingredients and mix well.

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