15 Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes

A great dressing can transform simple greens into something special—without relying on hidden sugars or preservatives often found in store-bought bottles.

From creamy avocado blends to zesty vinaigrettes, these 15 healthy salad dressing recipes will liven up your salads while keeping things nutritious!

1. Classic Balsamic Vinaigrette

A Classic Balsamic Vinaigrette is a must-have in any kitchen—simple, tangy, and versatile enough to pair with just about any salad ingredients.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: 5 minutes
• Yields: ~1/2 cup dressing

Ingredients:

1. 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2. 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
3. 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
4. 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
5. Salt and pepper to taste

Recipe Steps:

1. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and optional honey.
2. Slowly drizzle in olive oil, whisking continuously to emulsify.
3. Season with salt and pepper. Adjust sweetness if desired.

2. Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette

Bright and zesty, this Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette is perfect for salads featuring spinach, kale, or grilled vegetables.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: 5 minutes
• Yields: ~1/2 cup dressing

Ingredients:

1. 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2. 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3. 1 clove garlic, minced (or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder)
4. 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
5. Salt and pepper to taste

Recipe Steps:

1. In a bowl, whisk together lemon juice, garlic, and optional sweetener.
2. Gradually whisk in the olive oil.
3. Season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust flavors as needed.

3. Creamy Avocado Dressing

This Creamy Avocado Dressing uses ripe avocado for a velvety texture—no mayo needed. Ideal on taco salads or as a dip for veggies.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: 5 minutes
• Yields: ~1 cup dressing

Ingredients:

1. 1 ripe avocado
2. 2 tablespoons lime juice
3. 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt (or more lime juice if vegan)
4. 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
5. 1/4 teaspoon cumin (optional)
6. Salt and pepper to taste

Recipe Steps:

1. In a blender or food processor, combine avocado, lime juice, yogurt, and optional cumin.
2. Blend until smooth, slowly adding olive oil.
3. Season with salt and pepper. Thin with water if needed.

4. Honey Mustard Dressing

A healthier spin on a classic, this Honey Mustard Dressing balances sweet and tangy flavors—perfect for chicken or spinach salads.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: 5 minutes
• Yields: ~1/2 cup dressing

Ingredients:

1. 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
2. 2 tablespoons honey
3. 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
4. 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
5. Salt and pepper to taste

Recipe Steps:

1. Whisk together mustard, honey, and vinegar in a bowl.
2. Slowly whisk in olive oil.
3. Season with salt and pepper.

5. Greek Yogurt Ranch

Skip the bottled stuff. This Greek Yogurt Ranch delivers that creamy ranch taste with less fat and more protein.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: 5 minutes
• Yields: ~3/4 cup dressing

Ingredients:

1. 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
2. 1 tablespoon lemon juice
3. 1 teaspoon dried dill
4. 1 teaspoon dried parsley
5. 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
6. Salt and pepper to taste
7. 1–2 tablespoons water (to thin as needed)

Recipe Steps:

1. In a small bowl, stir together Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and spices.
2. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time if a thinner consistency is desired.
3. Adjust seasoning to taste.

6. Cilantro-Lime Dressing

Bursting with fresh herbs, this Cilantro-Lime Dressing adds brightness to salads with avocado, beans, or grilled proteins.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: 5 minutes
• Yields: ~1/2 cup dressing

Ingredients:

1. 2 tablespoons lime juice
2. 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3. 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
4. 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
5. 1 teaspoon honey or agave (optional)
6. Salt and pepper to taste

Recipe Steps:

1. In a blender or small bowl, combine lime juice, cilantro, garlic, and optional sweetener.
2. Drizzle in olive oil while blending or whisking.
3. Season with salt and pepper.

7. Tahini Lemon Dressing

A nutty Tahini Lemon Dressing works wonders on hearty greens like kale or roasted vegetables, adding a Middle Eastern flair.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: 5 minutes
• Yields: ~1/2 cup dressing

Ingredients:

1. 1/4 cup tahini (sesame paste)
2. 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3. 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (optional)
4. 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
5. 1–2 tablespoons water (for thinning)
6. Salt and pepper to taste

Recipe Steps:

1. Whisk tahini, lemon juice, optional sweetener, and salt/pepper.
2. Add water gradually until desired consistency is reached.
3. Stir in olive oil for extra creaminess if desired.

8. Maple Dijon Vinaigrette

Sweet and tangy, this Maple Dijon Vinaigrette complements bitter greens like arugula or radicchio, creating a balanced bite.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: 5 minutes
• Yields: ~1/2 cup dressing

Ingredients:

1. 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2. 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
3. 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
4. 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
5. Salt and pepper to taste

Recipe Steps:

1. Combine mustard, maple syrup, and vinegar in a bowl.
2. Whisk in olive oil until emulsified.
3. Season with salt and pepper.

9. Spicy Peanut Dressing

For Thai- or Asian-inspired salads, this Spicy Peanut Dressing brings creamy, fiery flavors in one easy recipe.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: 5 minutes
• Yields: ~3/4 cup dressing

Ingredients:

1. 1/4 cup peanut butter (natural, unsweetened)
2. 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari (low-sodium)
3. 1 tablespoon lime juice
4. 1 teaspoon honey or sugar (optional)
5. 1/2 teaspoon sriracha or chili flakes (to taste)
6. Water to thin as needed

Recipe Steps:

1. In a bowl, whisk peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, and sweetener if using.
2. Add sriracha or chili flakes for heat.
3. Whisk in water gradually until desired consistency is reached.

10. Creamy Cashew Dressing

A dairy-free alternative, this Creamy Cashew Dressing uses soaked cashews for a rich, velvety texture.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: 10 minutes (plus cashew soaking)
• Yields: ~3/4 cup dressing

Ingredients:

1. 1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked in water for at least 2 hours
2. 1 tablespoon lemon juice
3. 1 clove garlic (optional)
4. 1 teaspoon nutritional yeast (optional)
5. Salt and pepper to taste
6. Water as needed

Recipe Steps:

1. Drain soaked cashews.
2. In a blender, puree cashews, lemon juice, optional garlic, and optional nutritional yeast.
3. Add water slowly until reaching desired consistency.
4. Season with salt and pepper.

11. Zesty Italian Vinaigrette

A punchy Zesty Italian Vinaigrette is a salad staple, loaded with herbs, vinegar, and a touch of sweetness.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: 5 minutes
• Yields: ~1/2 cup dressing

Ingredients:

1. 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2. 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
3. 1 teaspoon dried oregano
4. 1 teaspoon dried basil
5. 1/2 teaspoon onion powder (optional)
6. 1/2 teaspoon honey or sugar (optional)
7. Salt and pepper to taste

Recipe Steps:

1. In a jar, combine vinegar, oregano, basil, optional onion powder, and sweetener.
2. Drizzle in olive oil while shaking or whisking.
3. Add salt and pepper to taste.

12. Creamy Chipotle Dressing

Smoky and spicy, this Creamy Chipotle Dressing livens up taco salads or grilled veggies with a southwestern kick.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: 5 minutes
• Yields: ~1/2 cup dressing

Ingredients:

1. 1/4 cup Greek yogurt (or mayo)
2. 1–2 teaspoons chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (finely chopped)
3. 1 tablespoon lime juice
4. Salt and pepper to taste

Recipe Steps:

1. In a small bowl, stir together yogurt (or mayo), chipotle peppers, and lime juice.
2. Adjust heat level with more or less Chipotle.
3. Season with salt and pepper.

13. Miso-Ginger Dressing

For Asian-inspired salads, this ginger dressing adds umami depth and subtle sweetness, perfect on greens or roasted veggies.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: 5 minutes
• Yields: ~1/2 cup dressing

Ingredients:

1. 1 tablespoon miso paste (white or yellow)
2. 1 teaspoon grated ginger
3. 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
4. 2 tablespoons sesame oil (or half sesame, half neutral oil)
5. 1 teaspoon honey or agave (optional)
6. 1 tablespoon water (to thin if needed)

Recipe Steps:

1. Whisk miso, ginger, vinegar, and optional sweetener in a small bowl.
2. Gradually whisk in sesame oil.
3. Thin with water if desired.

14. Orange Sesame Vinaigrette

Citrus meets sesame in this Orange Sesame Vinaigrette, a refreshing blend for light salads with mixed greens, fruit, or grilled chicken.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: 5 minutes
• Yields: ~1/2 cup dressing

Ingredients:

1. 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
2. 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
3. 1 tablespoon sesame oil
4. 1/2 teaspoon honey (optional)
5. Salt and pepper to taste

Recipe Steps:

1. In a bowl, whisk orange juice, vinegar, and optional honey.
2. Slowly whisk in sesame oil.
3. Season with salt and pepper. Adjust sweetener if desired.

15. Simple Olive Oil & Lemon Dressing

When in doubt, keep it simple with this Simple Olive Oil & Lemon Dressing—a go-to for drizzling over fresh greens or a hearty grain salad.

Recipe Metadata:

• Time to Make: 2 minutes
• Yields: ~1/4 cup dressing

Ingredients:

1. 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2. 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3. Pinch of salt and pepper

Recipe Steps:

1. Combine olive oil and lemon juice in a small bowl.
2. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
3. Whisk briefly or shake in a sealed jar. Taste and adjust as needed.