Low Calorie Salad dressing

michelleavent1979
michelleavent1979 Posts: 27
in Recipes
Hello All:

I don't know about anyone else, but when I have a big salad in front of me, I need something on top so it's not just a veggie plate (which is great when I am in the mood for veggie plate but not when I want a salad, however I digress..

So there are two things that I have been doing lately to add liquid to my salad, that I thought I may share. I hope it helps someone out there.

Option one - Grate up an apple - Put it all on your salad and the apple adds a sweetness, while the juice is my "dressing".

Option two - I take 1 tb of Low calorie/Low fat Italian dressing and add 2 Tb of Salsa to it. I find that adding the 10 calories of salsa adds a nice kick to my salad...

Just wanted to share for anyone who needed a change from the norm...

*hug* have a great day!
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Replies

  • Kelley528
    Kelley528 Posts: 319 Member
    Hmmm.... The salsa addition to a salad doesnt really mix with my tastebuds. The apple idea sounds interesting but also too dry.

    I like all the creative ways people try to better their meals.

    If i'm trying to save calories with my salad dressing I just do one serving spict brown mustard, a splash of white vinegar, and a packet of equal. It is sweet and tart at the same time and only 10 calories.
  • IronGirlShae
    IronGirlShae Posts: 58 Member
    One of my faves is 1/4 of an avocado, 2-3 Tbs of my favorite salsa (homemade when I have it) and the juice of one lemon. You can mash it all up with a fork, or blend it.
  • capnlizard
    capnlizard Posts: 73 Member
    My new favorite salad is baby spinach with pico de gallo, chopped avocado, and some reheated black bean pulled chicken (chicken, black beans, and salsa cooked in the crock pot). I put it all in a big covered bowl and toss it to mix through, so everything gets coated with a little bit of salsa, some pico, some ripe avocado, some chicken. It's a pretty awesome and filling lunch!

    I've also mixed together a bit of low-fat ranch dressing with salsa on salads, which is also pretty tasty.
  • Mutant13
    Mutant13 Posts: 2,485 Member
    2 tbsp chobani fat free Greek yoghurt
    Tsp honey
    Tbsp mild mustard
  • Nanba007
    Nanba007 Posts: 80 Member
    I use honey mustard if there is no fruit on my salad.
  • nj303
    nj303 Posts: 11 Member
    I buy LITEHOUSE brand Organic Raspberry-Lime Vinaigrette. In refrigerated produce section at the grocery store. 40 calories.
  • JenMc14
    JenMc14 Posts: 2,389 Member
    I like pico de gallo on my salads, as well as no dressing and some mrs. Dash or some salt and pepper. Bolt House Farms also makes some fabulous yogurt based dressings. 45 calories for 2T of Ranch or Bleu Cheese? Yes, please!
  • MichelleZannone
    MichelleZannone Posts: 121
    I use red wine vinegar and sometimes add avocado, mash it up for a creamy texture...yum
  • LeenaRuns
    LeenaRuns Posts: 1,309 Member
    Interesting. Vegetables require fat for nutrient absorbtion, so I use oil and vinegar unless I already have fats in my salad (avocado, nuts, full fat cheese) and then it's just vinegar.
  • amberlykay1014
    amberlykay1014 Posts: 608 Member
    I've been just squeezing fresh lemon juice on my salads. I love how tangy and fresh it is!
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    I actually just use ranch. Full fat. If I mix it up with the salad evenly, there's a lot of flavor and I only need one tablespoon.
  • watergirl626
    watergirl626 Posts: 249 Member
    Someone once taught me to keep the dressing on the side and dip my fork in it before spearing the salad. You get the flaovr of the dressing in each bite, but end up using a lot less of it.
  • castell5
    castell5 Posts: 234 Member
    Maple Grove Farms of Vermont "Sugar Free" dressings. (Red Shrink Wrap) on the cap. They are good, and super low in calorie. 5 calories per 2 tsp or it might be table spoon, but it makes no difference, it's the lowest cal dressing I have ever found and it is actually really good.
  • meganharris14
    meganharris14 Posts: 2 Member
    I just started using Bolthouse brand ranch, its delicious! only 45 calories a serving and feeds my ranch addiction!! lol
  • tturley
    tturley Posts: 73 Member
    How about this? I've tried the Creamy Italian and it tastes pretty good.

    Walden Farms Calorie Free Salad Dressings.
    http://www.waldenfarms.com/products/dressings.html
  • Velum_cado
    Velum_cado Posts: 1,608 Member
    Hummus, mixed with water to thin it out. Makes an amazing dressing!
  • alpine1994
    alpine1994 Posts: 1,915 Member
    Interesting. Vegetables require fat for nutrient absorbtion, so I use oil and vinegar unless I already have fats in my salad (avocado, nuts, full fat cheese) and then it's just vinegar.

    I do the same thing. I like white balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. It's more satisfying with a little fat too. I've tried so many low-cal salad dressings and I don't like any of them and am still starving 10 min later.
  • BeLightYear
    BeLightYear Posts: 1,450 Member
    2 tablespoons light sour cream
    1/4 teaspoon hidden valley ranch dry mix
    50 calories and none of the sweetness I always find in "lite" dressings.
  • supergirljen
    supergirljen Posts: 98
    Yup Bolthouse!
  • meganharris14
    meganharris14 Posts: 2 Member
    I am looking forward to trying their other options! :)
  • Calliope610
    Calliope610 Posts: 3,783 Member
    I don't like the way "lite" or low-fat dressings taste - kinda artificial to me. My favorite dressing (currently) is HEB Creamy Garlic Caesar dressing - so thick and tasty. I just cut it 50/50 with fat free milk. Basically cuts to calorie count in half; it's a bit thinner but it tastes "real". 2 TBSP = 74 cal
  • WEB3
    WEB3 Posts: 121 Member
    I'm gonna try the "dip your fork first" trick.
    I have been using only 1tbs of Kraft Asian Sesame at 60cals. It has such a strong flavor that 1tbs goes far.
    Getting tired of my usual fave, 40cal per tbs, Roasted Red Pepper Parmesan from Kraft.
  • timpicks
    timpicks Posts: 151 Member
    I put lemon juice or balsamic vinegar on my salads that usually contain fats from avocados, nuts and sometimes cheese. I used to just automatically slather on oily or creamy dressings, and that can really kill the benefits of an otherwise healthy salad. Once I understood that, I changed to lighter options that I like just as much.
  • choosingsara
    choosingsara Posts: 98 Member
    I mix a little greek yogurt with a few dustings if a hidden valley ranch packet. You could add milk to make it creamier but I usually don't. It's super good.
  • davidrip1
    davidrip1 Posts: 70 Member
    Most low fat dressings are made that way by making water the first ingrediant. They are just deluted. Low fat bread is created by making the slices thinner.
  • sarakenna1
    sarakenna1 Posts: 261
    I make my own vinegrette. In a jar with a lid I add 2 parts vinegar to one part olive oil and shake until its frothy. I mix up the type of vinegar; sometimes rice wine vinegar, sometime balsamic, sometimes apple cider. It just depends on my mood. I like to add interesting flavors like: a little chopped garlic, a tablespoon of dijon mustard, a little squirt of lemon or orange, some chopped capers or sun dried tomatoes or greek olives, and/or whatever herbs I have on hand. It always comes out different and its always delicious. You can control the sodium and there are no weird preservatives in it. It lasts forever in the fridge and tastes a thousand times better than store bought dressings!
  • lorinbc
    lorinbc Posts: 48 Member
    Just put your salad in a large ziplock bag along with your dressing eg: 1 tbsp of any kind and give the bag a good mix. The dressing will then be all over your salad with out the puddle at the bottom of your bowl. Works for me.
  • C00lCountry
    C00lCountry Posts: 282
    I found a table spoon of sweet relish on a salad works wonders too.
    I like the fat free kraft Italian. 15 calories for 2 table spoons.
  • RockKelly
    RockKelly Posts: 62 Member
    How about this? I've tried the Creamy Italian and it tastes pretty good.

    Walden Farms Calorie Free Salad Dressings.
    http://www.waldenfarms.com/products/dressings.html
    I have tried the French, Honey Dijon and Bacon Ranch. I thought the French and Honey Dijon were pretty good. The Bacon Ranch..not so much. I also tried the Walden Farms Peanut Spread...NASTY is the only word I can come up with for that one.
  • RockKelly
    RockKelly Posts: 62 Member
    1/2 Tbsp Olive Oil
    1/2 Tbsp of Fresh Lemon Juice
    1/2 Tsp of minced garlic
    Salt and Pepper to taste.

    Sometimes I add a little more lemon juice...just depends on the day :)

    Coat salad in a ziplock bag...pour and enjoy!

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