what can you use besides salad dressing on salads?

snowbunnyak · September 2010

I use 1 table spoon lemon juice, 1 table spoon extra virgin olive oil, half a clove of garlic, and a dash of salt...

bikerbiz · September 2010

Tzatziki (Greek), definitely!!! It's not just for Gyros and Souvlaki (which I miss, being on a diet). Use it on garden salad or Greek salad, or toast some multigrain pitas with a little Greek seasoning and dip in to this sauce. It's great. I found the owner of a local pizza place is from Crete, and he always makes this for me when I bring the kids in for pizza (he knows I'm on a diet).

Ingredients
2 (8 ounce) containers plain yogurt 2 cucumbers - peeled, seeded and diced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 lemon, juiced
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
3 cloves garlic, peeled

Directions
(revised--it was missing a step that would solve the runniness problem. Drain the yogurt in a colander for a few hours. This is the way they do it the Greek restaurants. You should also salt and drain the cucumbers for an hour.)

In a food processor or blender, combine yogurt, cucumber, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, dill and garlic. Process until well-combined. Transfer to a separate dish, cover and refrigerate for at least one hour for best flavor.

sincereme · September 2010

I bought a spray bottle, washed it and poured lime juice in it. I use that to spritz on my salads and then sprinkle with Mrs. Dash's Fiesta Lime. I don't even log it in because it's virtually zero in every category.

Oh thats a great idea! Thanks!!!

jsullybooker · August 2012

I have discovered Italian Rose fresh salsas, one is mango based and the other is tomato based. They can be purchased at Sam's. I make my usual salad with lettuce, tomatoes, and whatever other fresh veggies I have on hand. I add 1/4 cup of dried cranberries, a sprinkle of sea salt, and a sprinkle of Splenda. Then I toss the salad in 1/2 cup of whichever salsa I am in the mood for that day. The tomato salsa (1/2 cup) has 40 calories, 0 fats, and 8 grams of carbs. The mango salsa (1/2 cup) has 140 calories, 0 fats, and 40 grams of carbs. You could use less salsa to cut the calories even more, but this is the amount that I like.

pixtotts · August 2012

im not a fan of shop bought salad dressings i find them way too oily for my liking, i opt for just a squeeze of lemon juice or a bit of vinegar instead
or a yogurt and mint one is rather tasty but i tend to use that more of a dip for carrot and cucumber sticks

x

SueGlazier · August 2012

My 18 year old son decided one day he didnt want mayo or salad cream and rummaged through the different dressings in my fridge. He came across the mint sauce that we would have on roast lamb. That seemed rather strange but was absolutely delicious. Only vinegar and mint so virtually no calories at all.

ldrosophila · August 2012

I like the yogurt based ideas! Get some extra protein too. I don't know why I didnt think of that! The Taziki idea sounds great. I wonder how many calories this actually saves. If it's not significant I say enjoy the fat.

http://www.yummly.com/recipe/Caesar-Salad-Dressing-_cook-Yourself-Thin_-Recipezaar

http://www.yummly.com/recipe/Low-Fat-Creamy-Italian-Salad-Dressing-Food_com-104888

http://www.yummly.com/recipe/Yogurt-Tomato-Dressing-Recipezaar

I also do love trying different vinegars rice and red wine are my favorite. I'm also going to try some anchovies, yum! Yes, I said yum.

RainHoward · August 2012

You can make a vinaigrette out of almost anything. If you like the flavor, can fit it in a bottle and add some vinegar and oil to it, you can make a dressing.

BlueEyedTXmom · August 2012

I frequently mix 2 TBS ff plain greek yogurt with salsa verde.

RunHardBeStrong · August 2012

I use 1% cottage cheese and vinegar.

nmleisa · August 2012

I've made this Ranch dressing I found on pinterest....

1 cup Dannon Oikos plain nonfat greek yogurt
1 packet hidden valley ranch (dressing, not dip)
1/2 cup 1% milk

It takes a little getting used to, but I like it, especially to dip carrots and other veggies in it. A 2 tbsp serving is under 30 cal and I believe you can get about 14 servings or so from it.

Awkward30 · August 2012

White wine vinegar! Soy sauce on cabbage salad with chicken or tuna is one of those things I could eat every day.

dancingj2 · August 2012

Sometimes I use hot sauce. Spicy but no calories!

coach7157 · August 2012

I've gone through several iterations on my journey.
at first I used regular dressing but I kept it on the side. I would only dip the tines of my fork in the dressing then take a bite of salad.
I found that I got the salad dressing flavor that I wanted, but used far less dressing.

Then I did the same with Light dressings.

In the spirit of continuous improvement I found Walden farms which offers a complete line of products free of Fat, sugars, carbs, gluten, and most improtantly calories. They have some great dressings to choose from http://www.waldenfarms.com/

fitnesspal50 · August 2012

olive oil, garlic seasoning and lemon or lime juice

CarleyLovesPets · August 2012

I put the vinegar from hot pepper rings on my salad with the hot peppers in the salad too of course.

or just plan water.

linabinaboo · August 2012

herbs & spices or flavored vinegars. i like strawberry balsamic vinegar.

drvvork · August 2012

I use yogurt.

Freyja2023 · August 2012

I use salsa!!! very yummy

this

Crochetluvr · August 2012

Make bruchetta. Its tasty and you can add croutons for the bread, if you want.

Rachel505 · August 2012

I just use guacamole. I normally get the 100 calorie wholly guacamole packets at the store and just use one of those as my dressing. I don't even buy salad dressing anymore.