Homemade Salad Dressings - 6 Important Components

Learning how to make homemade salad dressings is such an important life skill...

...okay well maybe not a life skill but it sure does making eating and dipping veggies easier, more nutrient (yes eating veggies with ample fat is SO important), and SO much more delicious. 

The trick to making delicious salad dressing are these components: 

1.  Garlic & Onions 

   Garlic - 
   Fresh pressed, crushed, or diced garlic not only adds so much flavor and balance to dressings, it also is a gut superfood! Unless you are allergic, it's a food that is perfect to include daily. It's pretty much included in every savory meal I cook. 
   
   Onions -
   Diced red, yellow, white, green onions are all recommended to use. Take your pick. My favorite onion for dressings are shallots! They have a slight sweetness that really ups the flavor profile. Chives are also amazingly flavorful and delicious. 

2. The right kind of healthy fat - 

   Healthy fats should be included in EVERY meal. My favorite fats for salad dressings are avocado, extra virgin, flaxseed, and hemp oils. Many of the low temperature fats are great for dressings.  Tahini & Sesame seed oils are delicious for Mediterranean style salads. 
   
   Other fats include avocado, sour cream, and mayo. 

3. Vinegars

   My all time favorite vinegar is red wine, then ACV, and then balasamic. Other yummy vinegars are rice wine, which is SO good for an Asian flare salad. I use it in my Asian Cabbage Slaw . 

4. Citrus juice 

   The most agreeable citrus for salad dressings, in my humble opinion, are lemons (#1), limes, and oranges. 
   
   Lemons go in about 90% of my salad dressings. Limes are great for Mexican style salads, like taco salad, or sliced cabbage, onions, peppers, tomatoes, and avocados that pair with a burrito bowl or chicken fajitas. 

5. Herbs & spices - 

   Not only do herbs and spices add flavor but they also are super nutrient dense! Depending on what you're cooking or the type of salad, you can pick a couple or more spices to add to your dressing! 
   
   Mexican

   Cilantro
   Oregano
   Coriander
   Chile powder 

   Mediterranean
   Ginger
   Mint
   Mustard Seeds
   Red Pepper

   Italian
   Oregano
   basil
    parsley
    rosemary
   thyme
   red pepper
   
   Asian 
   Basil
   Oregano
   Ginger
   Chile
   Lemongrass
   Star Anise
   Fenugreek
   Curry
   Cinnamon 
   

6. Add-ins

Little add-ins to spike up the dressing can include something simple like salt & pepper, chile flakes, mustard, liquid aminos, coconut aminos, maple syrup, or even chopped ginger! 

Here is the base salad dressing recipe. Use your imagination and culinary skills to create your very own! OR be inspired by the recipes below :) 

Also keep in mind that salsa, guacamole, hummus, and bean dips can also be used as salad dressings! 

Simple Base Salad Dressing Recipe: 

1 garlic clove - pressed, chopped, or diced
¼ cup diced onions
½ cup healthy fat
½ cup vinegar
Juice from 1 citrus fruit (lemon, lime, or orange)
1 tbsp herbs
Add-ins 

KEFIR RANCH DRESSING INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup milk kefir – homemade or store-bought
• 1/2 cup mayo – I use my avocado oil mayo.
• 1 tsp fresh garlic
• 1 tsp dried chives
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp onion powder
• fresh black pepper
• 1 tsp dill
• 1 tsp parsley
• Juice of 1/4 of a lemon. 

DIRECTIONS:
Put everything into a blender.
Blend until smooth.
Enjoy! 

Detox Salad Dressing:

2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
¼ cup olive oil
½ - 1 garlic clove pressed
½ tsp ground turmeric
Salt & Pepper to taste
Juice from 1 lemon 

FRENCH VINAIGRETTE:
Ingredients:

1 tablespoon French mustard (Source organic!) Trade Joe’s has a great option!
¼ cup of red wine vinegar or ACV
1-2 cloves of garlic pressed or chopped
2 tbsp diced shallot
1 cup of olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions: Shake all ingredients in a jar. You can double or triple recipe to make more for the week!

Dill Ranch Dressing
Ingredients:

3 tbsp coconut milk (full fat)
3 tbsp Mayo
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp EVOO
1 tbsp organic garlic salt
¼ cup finely chopped dill
2 tbsp minced fresh chives

Directions: In a medium bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, mayo, vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic salt. Add parsley, dill, and chives and mix gently.

Shallot Vinaigrette 

Ingredients: 

4 Tbsp raw apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp finely minced shallot
4 tbsp maple syrup
2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 tbsp water
1 tbsp Dijon mustard 
2 garlic cloves minced 

Directions: Place all ingredients in a mason jar. Using a whisk, mix well. Serve and enjoy! 

The key, as with anything, is practice and experiment! Keep is simple or amp it up with tons of flavor!

In my 14 Day Gut Healing Cleanse program, I have tons of salad and dressing recipes. In my humble opinion, you really can never get enough veggies, so making them delicious is SO important!! 

Do you have a favorite salad dressing recipe? Please share! 

Thanks for popping by :) 

Becky Wells
NTP, Clean Living Educator & Advocate
Hippie Moms, LLC
www.thehippiemoms.com