You’ll be able to transform your salads from ordinary to extraordinary with four essential homemade salad dressings. These recipes are quick, easy and made with simple pantry ingredients — perfect for weeknight meals, meal prep or entertaining. Whether you crave tangy, creamy, herby, or sweet and spicy flavours in your salad dressing, we’ve got you covered.
1. Balsamic Honey Dressing
This do-it-all dressing is a classic combination of sweet honey and tangy balsamic vinegar. All you need are basic pantry ingredients to whip up a batch any time you’re making a salad. We love drizzling this dressing over ripe summer tomatoes, fresh burrata and a handful of baby arugula, but you can add it to anything you want.
Why it works:
- Quick to make in under 5 minutes
- Sweet and tangy flavour balance
- Works with leafy greens, grain bowls or roasted vegetables
Pro Tip: Whisk in extra virgin olive oil for a creamier texture that clings to every leaf.
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2. Sherry Dijon Vinaigrette
This zippy, crisp vinaigrette, based on a traditional French style of cooking, replaces common wine vinegar with sherry vinegar and lemon. This flavourful dressing holds up against a hearty meal salad. Think leafy salad greens, like Boston or little gem, salty bacon and satiating carbs, like roasted new potatoes.
Why it works:
- Tangy, sharp and slightly nutty
- Holds up well on robust salads
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3. Green Goddess Dressing
This bright dressing uses loads of fresh herbs to pack on the flavour. We’ve paired it with our version of a “crudité” salad: a mix of crunchy greens, including baby romaine and cucumber, edamame, radishes and ribbons of heirloom carrots and fennel. You could also add avocado, cherry tomatoes and cucumber wedges for a vibrant and healthy salad. A Green Goddess Pasta Salad is another way to enjoy this creamy dressing.
Why it works:
- Fresh, aromatic, and nutritious
- Ideal for crudité or grain salads
- Gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly
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4. Sweet Heat Ginger Sesame Dressing
A bold, Asian-inspired dressing balances sweetness with spicy ginger and nutty seasame. This easy dressing beautifully with crunchy, mild-tasting vegetables, like the julienned carrots, baby bok choy and slivered red cabbage we used in our composed salad. Feel free to add microgreens, like pea shoots or mizuna, then take your pick of pineapple or mango to add a fresh sweetness that brings it all together.
Why it works:
- A harmony of sweet and spicy flavours
- Quick, flavourful and versatile
- Pairs well with vegetables, tofu, or shrimp
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Easy salad recipes to try
One of Lidia Bastianich favourite salad combinations: kale ribbons with soft avocado and crunchy pistachios.
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One of Lidia Bastianich favourite salad combinations: kale ribbons with soft avocado and crunchy pistachios.
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A French-inspired potato and cucumber salad with smoky ham, Comté cheese and a velvety confit garlic dressing. Fresh, flavourful and easy to make ahead—perfect for any occasion.
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A French-inspired potato and cucumber salad with smoky ham, Comté cheese and a velvety confit garlic dressing. Fresh, flavourful and easy to make ahead—perfect for any occasion.
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Not a fan of mayo? Try this stunning Italian potato salad, which tossed in a briny caper-and-chili vinaigrette then paired with jammy soft-boiled eggs for a light, simple dish.
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Not a fan of mayo? Try this stunning Italian potato salad, which tossed in a briny caper-and-chili vinaigrette then paired with jammy soft-boiled eggs for a light, simple dish.
Get the recipe
