Dressing alternatives

momsfavoritechild

I am seeking suggestions for alterntatives to a healthier dressing to use on my salads. My all time favorite is Ranch dressing. I tend to favor the creamy dressings. This really eats up my calories/fat for the day. I don't like any type of vinegrette dressings. I will do italian dressings from time-to-time.

I hear a lot of low fat/low cal dressings are loaded with sugars and bad for you ingredients.

Does anyone have any great ideas, or possible home made recipes they are willing to share?

cheripugh1

I use Salsa's they are super low and they have body (helps dress it up and adds other textures and taste) Like White Corn and Black Bean Salsa (Walmart brand) and there are MANY different ones, so check those out in the Salsa isle of your store. I find more of them at Walmart for a very reasonable price too.

amwbox

I use salsa. Also, plain old extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

sleepytexan

Stop buying pre-made dressings.

1. MEASURE MEASURE MEASURE 1 T. olive oil + 1 T. GOOD (not cheap, it will taste bad) balsamic vinegar add freshly ground black pepper (yes, you need the pepper). Honestly I don't even need to have the oil when I'm using a good balsamic. mmmmmmm. If you have a Baker and Olive store near you, the Traditional Balsamic is wonderful, and they have a million other flavors you can try too. Yes, expensive, but worth it. Life is short. A big bottle of balsamic lasts a LOOOOONG TIME. Often street fairs have vendors sampling and selling balsamics.


2. 1 T olive oil + juice of fresh lemon, lime, or orange (maybe even grapefruit). Microwave your fruit 20 seconds, roll it HARD on the counter to maximize the juice; cut & ream with a fork or reamer. ADD FRESHLY GROUND BLACK PEPPER.

3. Oil + Red wine vinegar + pepper

4. Try other oils and other vinegars - almond, walnut, sesame . . . visit your local kitchen store.

Just google salad dressings. It is seriously so easy to make your own. Don't buy that garbage from the stores.

Stop buying pre-made dressings.

sleepytexan

This dressing is SOOOO GOOD.

(The salad kicks *kitten* too -- save time by using shredded rotisserie chicken)

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/grilled-chicken-corn-spinach-salad-50400000121907/

halfpintpeggy

Ranch dressing is also my favorite! Here's how I make a lo cal version. I take fat free or low fat yogurt & mix it with a packet of the dry Ranch dressing seasoning. It's creamy, lo fat, lo cal, & yummy.

amwbox

Best salad dressing evar:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLXWn3mzAeA

Not sure its actually lower calorie, but its definately got more wholesome ingredients than the stuff you'd buy with all the preservatives and such.

momsfavoritechild

WOW---thanks everyone for taking the time to share!!

JBcat123

I put ginger dressing on my salad from the Japanese place that is close by me. I love it!

momsfavoritechild

I do LOVE ginger! I will have to check it out

sharyntg

I use salsa or I create a hybrid "dressing." Today, for example I mixed two tablespoons of fat free mayo with one tablespoon of Caesar Light dressing and a teaspoon of sweet honey mustard. Not mustard dressing but real mustard. I mix it all up and yum.

I eat salads three times a day. I'm obsessed with salads.

DCarter1701

I slice up 1/4 or 1/2 of an avocado and put that on my salad instead of dressing. Healthy fats (which I plan for in my pre-logging), it's creamy and good for you.

momsfavoritechild

Best salad dressing evar:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLXWn3mzAeA

Not sure its actually lower calorie, but its definately got more wholesome ingredients than the stuff you'd buy with all the preservatives and such.

Thanks for this site. Looks like a lot of good ideas will have to review them

amwbox

Best salad dressing evar:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLXWn3mzAeA

Not sure its actually lower calorie, but its definately got more wholesome ingredients than the stuff you'd buy with all the preservatives and such.

Thanks for this site. Looks like a lot of good ideas will have to review them

Chef John is fantastic. Check out his Chicken Kiev recipe if you want something for a special occasion. I've used it half a dozen times and its always perfect:

Athijade

I slice up 1/4 or 1/2 of an avocado and put that on my salad instead of dressing. Healthy fats (which I plan for in my pre-logging), it's creamy and good for you.

I have been thinking about using avocado to make a dressing. Use it and some seasonings and blend it. I can't have most salad dressings because I can't have vinegar, citrus juice, buttermilk, or many other ingredients. But I miss my salads!

missiontofitness

I like Ken's Lighter Options dressing. Taste full flavor, but their macros are a lot smaller. My favorites are their parmesan peppercorn, and balsamic vinaigrette.
Dressing wise, you can also make your own. Plenty of recipes online.
There is a "ranch" dip I found on a channel I like to follow for recipe ideas. I'm not vegan, but her stuff looks good! She has an imitation ranch one as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK4KXaGUCt4

LaurenBrooke1843

I mix 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar with 3 tbsp salsa. Yummy 10 calorie dressing

momsfavoritechild

Best salad dressing evar:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLXWn3mzAeA

Not sure its actually lower calorie, but its definately got more wholesome ingredients than the stuff you'd buy with all the preservatives and such.

Thanks for this site. Looks like a lot of good ideas will have to review them

Chef John is fantastic. Check out his Chicken Kiev recipe if you want something for a special occasion. I've used it half a dozen times and its always perfect:

This looks delish!! Thanks for taking the time to share this with me!

maasha81

Salsa is my fave. I've also used Greek yogurt with my herbs / spices stirred in.

053069

olive oil and lemon juice.

Ilysandrew11

Salsa does taste good as a dressing!!! Also I like fat free Italian...I try to stay away from Ranch (I love it too but even the fat free tastes nasty to me) good luck in finding the right dressing for you!!