20 Sweet Salad Dressing Recipes

I think a sweet dressing is the easiest way to make a salad feel more like a treat. It’s my secret for getting everyone to eat their greens, and it pairs perfectly with salty cheeses, nuts, and bitter greens like arugula or kale.

I like to make these dressings in a small jar so I can shake them up and keep them ready in the fridge.

Here are my favorite recipes for when I want to add a little sweetness to my bowl.

1. Classic Honey Mustard Dressing

A simple mix of honey, dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil. I use this more than any other dressing.

Nutrition per serving (2 tbsp):

1. Calories: 120
2. Protein: 0g
3. Carbs: 10g
4. Fat: 9g
5. Fiber: 0g

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2. Raspberry Vinaigrette

Fresh or frozen raspberries blended with red wine vinegar, a touch of honey, and olive oil. It’s beautifully pink and full of fruit flavor.

Nutrition per serving (2 tbsp):

1. Calories: 90
2. Protein: 0g
3. Carbs: 8g
4. Fat: 7g
5. Fiber: 1g

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3. Maple Balsamic Dressing

Real maple syrup and balsamic vinegar whisked with olive oil and a pinch of salt. It’s rich, sweet, and perfect for fall salads.

Nutrition per serving (2 tbsp):

1. Calories: 110
2. Protein: 0g
3. Carbs: 10g
4. Fat: 8g
5. Fiber: 0g

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4. Strawberry Poppy Seed Dressing

Blended strawberries, a little sugar, white vinegar, and poppy seeds. This tastes like summer and is great on spinach salads.

Nutrition per serving (2 tbsp):

1. Calories: 100
2. Protein: 0g
3. Carbs: 12g
4. Fat: 6g
5. Fiber: 1g

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5. Orange Ginger Dressing

Fresh orange juice, a little honey, grated ginger, and olive oil. It’s bright, zesty, and goes well with Asian-inspired salads.

Nutrition per serving (2 tbsp):

1. Calories: 80
2. Protein: 0g
3. Carbs: 9g
4. Fat: 5g
5. Fiber: 0g

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6. Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

A creamy, sweet classic made with mayo, milk, vinegar, sugar, and poppy seeds. It’s what I use for a traditional fruit salad.

Nutrition per serving (2 tbsp):

1. Calories: 130
2. Protein: 0g
3. Carbs: 8g
4. Fat: 11g
5. Fiber: 0g

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7. Apple Cider Honey Dressing

Apple cider vinegar, honey, and olive oil with a dash of cinnamon. It’s simple, sweet, tangy, and comforting.

Nutrition per serving (2 tbsp):

1. Calories: 100
2. Protein: 0g
3. Carbs: 9g
4. Fat: 7g
5. Fiber: 0g

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8. Mango Lime Dressing

Pureed ripe mango with lime juice, cilantro, and a neutral oil. It’s tropical, sweet, and fantastic on a salad with grilled shrimp.

Nutrition per serving (2 tbsp):

1. Calories: 70
2. Protein: 0g
3. Carbs: 10g
4. Fat: 4g
5. Fiber: 1g

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9. Fig Balsamic Dressing

Fig jam whisked with balsamic vinegar and olive oil until smooth. It has a deep, fruity sweetness that feels a little fancy.

Nutrition per serving (2 tbsp):

1. Calories: 120
2. Protein: 0g
3. Carbs: 15g
4. Fat: 7g
5. Fiber: 0g

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10. Peach Basil Vinaigrette

Pureed fresh peach, white balsamic vinegar, fresh basil, and oil. This is my favorite dressing to make when peaches are in season.

Nutrition per serving (2 tbsp):

1. Calories: 80
2. Protein: 0g
3. Carbs: 9g
4. Fat: 5g
5. Fiber: 1g

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11. Brown Sugar and Soy Dressing

Brown sugar dissolved in soy sauce and rice vinegar, with sesame oil. It’s a sweet and salty dressing for cabbage salads.

Nutrition per serving (2 tbsp):

1. Calories: 90
2. Protein: 1g
3. Carbs: 12g
4. Fat: 5g
5. Fiber: 0g

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12. Creamy Citrus Dressing

A mix of orange and lemon juice with a little honey and Greek yogurt for creaminess. It’s light, tangy, and slightly sweet.

Nutrition per serving (2 tbsp):

1. Calories: 60
2. Protein: 2g
3. Carbs: 8g
4. Fat: 2g
5. Fiber: 0g

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13. Pomegranate Molasses Dressing

Pomegranate molasses, lemon juice, and olive oil. It’s intensely sweet and tart, perfect with bold flavors like feta and mint.

Nutrition per serving (2 tbsp):

1. Calories: 100
2. Protein: 0g
3. Carbs: 13g
4. Fat: 6g
5. Fiber: 0g

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14. Vanilla Pear Dressing

Pureed pear, a tiny bit of vanilla extract, champagne vinegar, and oil. Unusual, subtly sweet, and very good with goat cheese.

Nutrition per serving (2 tbsp):

1. Calories: 70
2. Protein: 0g
3. Carbs: 10g
4. Fat: 4g
5. Fiber: 1g

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15. Honey Lime Cilantro Dressing

Honey, fresh lime juice, cilantro, and olive oil. It’s a vibrant, sweet dressing that brightens up any simple green salad.

Nutrition per serving (2 tbsp):

1. Calories: 100
2. Protein: 0g
3. Carbs: 11g
4. Fat: 7g
5. Fiber: 0g

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16. Jam Vinaigrette

Any berry jam (like raspberry or blackberry) thinned with red wine vinegar and olive oil. A super quick way to make a fruity dressing.

Nutrition per serving (2 tbsp):

1. Calories: 110
2. Protein: 0g
3. Carbs: 13g
4. Fat: 7g
5. Fiber: 0g

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17. Date and Tahini Dressing

Blended soft dates, tahini, lemon juice, and water. It’s naturally sweet, creamy, and dairy-free.

Nutrition per serving (2 tbsp):

1. Calories: 90
2. Protein: 1g
3. Carbs: 14g
4. Fat: 4g
5. Fiber: 1g

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18. Ginger Sesame Dressing

A sweet Asian-style dressing with honey, fresh ginger, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. I put this on everything from salads to bowls.

Nutrition per serving (2 tbsp):

1. Calories: 100
2. Protein: 0g
3. Carbs: 12g
4. Fat: 6g
5. Fiber: 0g

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19. Cranberry Orange Dressing

Whole berry cranberry sauce blended with orange juice and olive oil. It’s festive, sweet, and tart—ideal for holiday salads.

Nutrition per serving (2 tbsp):

1. Calories: 90
2. Protein: 0g
3. Carbs: 13g
4. Fat: 5g
5. Fiber: 1g

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20. Simple Agave Lime Dressing

Agave nectar, fresh lime juice, and olive oil. A clean, vegan-friendly sweetener that makes a perfectly balanced dressing.

Nutrition per serving (2 tbsp):

1. Calories: 100
2. Protein: 0g
3. Carbs: 12g
4. Fat: 7g
5. Fiber: 0g

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