Salad Dressing recomendations???

kscutie

What are some good, low calorie salad dressings? I feel like all of the low cal ones taste like garbage.
My husband just puts olive oil on his salads, and I've tried that...but to me it just tastes greasy and makes me want to gag!

So instead of buying 15 different dressings...I thought I'd have the wonderful MFP people help!

Thanks!

mfergie889

Trader Joes reduced fat Cilantro dressing is SO GOOD!

donicagalek

Buy a salad dressing bottle and make your own! Vinegar, lemon juice, salt, pepper, your favorite spices and a *small* bit of EVOO.

Sigra

Free Italian Dressing, 15cal per 2tbsp

lisy28

i LOVE just plain old balsamic vinegar and a little oil and to give it an extra oommpphh i put in a little bit of seeded mustard

YUMO

kterranova2

Try just using a little cup and dipping your fork into it before each bite, you'll be surprised at how much less dressing you can use and still have the good stuff! Good luck!

glamazonjenn

Lime juice and calantro...yummy

snowflakelaia

I buy Balsamic vinegar of Modena. It's somewhat sweet. I usually add some oregano and spices on top of that, and a bit of olive oil.
The vinegar is very tasteful, and it has a small amount of sugar. Oregano and Italian herbs/seasoning are very healthy for your body too, and add flavor to veggies.

Setof2Keys

Def kraft low fat balsamic Vin. I also add some real lemon juice. Oddly it tastes pretty good if you have tomatoes and avacados and a low cal cheese.

RodrigoBorgia

Hate to go the olive oil route...

1 tbsp of olive oil
1 tsp of balsamic vinegar
pepper to taste.

It tastes great, is good for you, and easy to prepare.

kylakesgal

Hi I love a good dressing too and I've found if it's low calorie or low fat, it has something extra added that's just as bad such as sodium and sometimes they are even higher in fat. I like Kraft Sun dried tomato vinaigrette, it has 60 calories for 2 tbsps and also like Wishbone romano basil vinaigrette which also has 60 calories per serving. I've tried just plain olive oil(didn't like it either) and oil and vinegar (nope). Hope this helps and good luck to you:)

hikingmonk

A good balsamic vinegar and some olive oil. Tough to find a store bought one that is healthy, low-sodium, and tastes good. The trifecta of salad deliciousness!

BamBam1113

I sacrifice a few calories during the day if I know I'm gonna have salad for dinner. That way I can eat some real, good dressing.

anubis609

I swear I've replied to this thread before, but Bolthouse Farms EVOO Tropical Mango Vinaigrette is delicious. 30 calories for 2 tbsp.

lnadeau66

I like Maries yogurt dressings, they have all flavors including ranch and bleu cheese, and I do the dip the fork in method, I can usually get away with about 1 tablespoon (40 cals) for a good sized salad.

rlmjohnson

Wish-Bone® Light Sweet'n Spicy French 50 Calories per two tablespoons. I always water mine down, that way it coats everything and I use less.

angmora

reduced balsamic vinegar is sooo yum. you can use it as a base and doctor it with fruit!!! here is a recipe online http://www.ehow.com/how_4894497_make-reduced-balsamic-vinegar.html
I googled it and it says 2calories per tablespoon. surprise to me cuz is real sweet

kscutie

Thanks! I'll have to try that!

kscutie

I like Maries yogurt dressings, they have all flavors including ranch and bleu cheese, and I do the dip the fork in method, I can usually get away with about 1 tablespoon (40 cals) for a good sized salad.

Are these the ones in the refridgerated section??? In a jar instead of a bottle?

forkeeps

I also go the Balsamic and EVOO route with some Italian herbs. I like to use fresh basil and some pepper and dried oregano and a squeeze of lemon juice. I put it all in a little blender and it emulsifies it so it seems a little creamy...my kids love it too.

handerson65

Wishbone Salad Spritzers. I really like the Ranch, it looks watery but has really good flavor. Only 15 calories in 5 sprays which is a very adequate amount for a salad.

mk820

I use mild rice vinegar. I add a touch of sweetener and for a treat a bit of FF mayo. Only cals are from the FF mayo 15 per tablespoon.

kscutie

I also go the Balsamic and EVOO route with some Italian herbs. I like to use fresh basil and some pepper and dried oregano and a squeeze of lemon juice. I put it all in a little blender and it emulsifies it so it seems a little creamy...my kids love it too.

I never thought of putting it in the blender....that might make the whole oil and viniger thing a little more palletable.

meagalayne

I use a higher quality balsamic vinegar and find that while it's a little tart I really enjoy it on it's own. 15 cals per Tbsp. I also top my salads with nutritional yeast or cottage cheese, sometimes. Salsa also makes a great low-cal salad dressing option!

If you're in Canada, President's Choice makes awesome blue menu yogurt dressings in all kinds of flavours that are low cal and decently healthy options. Yogurt dressings tend to be lower cal and great substitutes if you like a creamier dressing.

Good luck finding something that works for you :happy:

momontherun92

My husband and I love this adaptation of a spinach salad dressing. I cut out most of the oil, and use splenda instead of sugar. It's a pretty pink color, too!

3 Tbs canola oil
1/4 to 1/3 red onion
1/2 cup splenda
1Tbs. poppyseeds
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
water (try 1 cup, then taste, add more if the vinegar is too strong)

Blend it all up in a blender. Taste it, and add more of whatever you think it lacks. I'm afraid I'm not a detailed cook...I just add until i like it. I store the dressing in the fridge in a rubbermaid dressing-style container. It will last for quite a while!

Note: Because I cut out most of the oil, it doesn't 'stick' to the salad very well, it's very runny. I add some sure gel, or clear gel until it's the thickness I like. If you don't know what that is, it's basically a granulated tapioca based thickener. You can probably find it at health food stores or food storage/preparedness stores.

Nogo

I squeeze the juice out of pepperocini peppers onto my salad with some fresh cracked pepper. Mmmmm!

SaraTonin

If you don't like the texture of straight olive oil, do try putting your olive oil, vinegar, and spices in a bottle and shaking it up. It'll separate out in the fridge but all that matters is that it'll taste aaaamaaazing on your salad!

JPod279

Wishbone Salad Spritzer Balsamic Breeze. Had some today on a salad for lunch. It is delicious and only 10 calories for 10 sprays which is more than enough for the rather large salad I had.

alygoo615

My ultimate "go-to" is Kraft- Fat Free Zesty Italian. It is my absolutely favorite and in addition to salads, I use it on baby carrots and even use it with deli turkey on a sandwich instead of mayo/mustard or even a piece of romaine lettuce, some deli turkey and a couple drips of the dressing for a super low-cal and delicious protein boost.

I recently found Trader Joe's - Champagne Vinaigrette which is also delicious. I think this one is about 40 or 50 cals for 2 tablespoons but I rarely need that much. Really really good!

vkramarenko

I never buy any salad dressings for years...

RANCH DRESSING----
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream (I use low fat buttermilk instead )
1/2 teaspoon dried chives
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

BALSAMIC VINEGAR AND OLIVE OIL
1 sprig fresh oregano
1 sprig fresh thyme
1-2 clove garlic
1 cup olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
I also add some fresh juice of lemon and 1 teaspoon of honey mustard.

HolleeERL

I like Paul Newman's Light Balsalmic Vinegarette. The Light Raspberry
vinegarette is pretty good on spinich, too. So far, I've like most of his Light Salad dressings. I have also used olive oil, lemon, and Lawry's seasoning salt. If it's too oily, then back off the oil ratio.