Salad dressing ideas?

Something I can make, not buy. Preferably only using vegetables/fruit if possible but other stuff is okay too if it's minimal. I always feel like I'm ruining a salad by putting dressing on my salads and it would be nice to know what I'm putting on my salad :)

Thanks!

Replies

  • healthygreek
    healthygreek Posts: 2,137 Member
    I use olive oil and red wine vinegar with some spices-salt/pepper/onion powder/garlic powder and my salad tastes very good.
    Use an extra virgin first cold-pressed olive oil for great taste and the oil allows your body to absorb all the veggie nutrients!
  • MoosyGoosy
    MoosyGoosy Posts: 44
    I just use plain balsamic vinegar. Very flavoursome and low cal!
  • watchhillgirl
    watchhillgirl Posts: 597 Member
    Lemon infused olive oil, lemon juice and a pinch of dried mint. Fresh and light. Really makes the veggies light and crispy!
  • Yes! :happy:
    Here are two healthy, simple recipes you can try:

    1 to 4 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    A few sprinkles of iodized salt
    A few sprinkles of your choice of any additional seasonings
    A few sprinkles of grated parmesan cheese
    1 or 2 tbsp of soy sauce (low sodium is what I use)
    A squeeze of fresh lemon and or lime juice
    1 or 2 tbsp Dijon or Honey mustard

    Stir well :)

    1 to 4 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    Red Wine Vinegar or White Wine Vinegar (depending on preference)
    A few sprinkles of iodized salt
    Perhaps some fresh garlic (or) garlic powder (whatever you like)

    Stir well :)
  • dawnmcneil10
    dawnmcneil10 Posts: 638 Member
    I use plain greek yogurt as a base and add all kinds of tasty flavors. You could add fruit juice, spices, vinegar, condiments like hot sauce or salsa. The list goes on and on.
  • mikebooker1
    mikebooker1 Posts: 148 Member
    So I try to make my own salad dressing when i have the time because even the store bought vinaigrettes are loaded with sodium and a bunch of stuff I can't pronounce. And we won't even mention the other fatty varieties (Ranch tongue )Here's one I came up with today that taste's great and I didn't feel bad putting a little extra on my salad. I will mention I have a herb garden on my back patio so i use fresh herbs. To get a similar taste you may have use more dried.

    Mike's Four Berry vinaigrette

    1/4 cup frozen (or fresh) raspberry , blackberry blueberry mix. ( I have huge bag I bought from Sam's that I keep in the freezer.)
    if they are frozen put them in the microwave for about 20 seconds to knock the ice off.
    3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
    2 tablespoons olive oil
    1/4 cup acai juice (I'd recommend a premium brand with real juice and very little additives)
    5 basil leaves (fresh)
    1 sprig oregano (fresh)
    1 good size dollop of plain Greek yogurt
    1 tsp cracked black pepper

    Combine all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. If you don't have acai juice I'd probably up the balsamic and and add a little water. I suppose 100 percent cranberry juice would work too. when i first blended everything I didn't use the Greek yogurt. It was tasty but very tangy so I went to the fridge scavenging for something to cut the tang down. The yogurt made it just right probably by cutting the acidity and adding a little creaminess too.

    This makes about 3 quarters of a cup of dressing so there's some for later! You can play with the individual amounts to suit your own tastes but I thought this surprisingly tasty.

    ****One thing to note**** This stuff will stain if you spill and don't wipe the counter immediately...fyi smile
  • FunkBunny
    FunkBunny Posts: 417 Member
    I will cube up half an avocado and toss that in, it acts as a dressing practically on it's own if it's really ripe.

    Or I'll use flavor infused vinegars.
  • magairlin
    magairlin Posts: 93 Member
    I chop up some really juicy tomatoes to moisten the salad and I seldom use any dressing at all other than this.
  • walk757
    walk757 Posts: 96 Member
    Balsamic, definitely.
  • imabigvegan
    imabigvegan Posts: 72
    From Eat To Live - Dr. Fuhrman

    I love these all!

    Les

    Zesty Tomato Dressing

    • 1 cup tomato or tomato vegetable juice
    • 2 tsp. lemon juice
    • 1/2 tsp. Italian seasonings
    • 1 garlic clove, chopped, or 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
    • 3 oz. low-fat tofu (optional)

    Apple Pie Dressing


    • 2 peeled apples
    • 1/4 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice
    • cinnamon to taste
    • Blend together.

    Blueberry Dressing

    • 1/2 pack frozen blueberries
    • 2 dates
    • 2 tbsp. raspberry vinegar
    • I tbsp. lemon juice

    Blend together.


    Orange Sesame Dressing

    ORANGE/SESAME DRESSING
    3 tbsp. un-hulled sesame seeds
    6 raw cashew nuts
    1/4 cup orange juice
    2 tbsp. rice vinegar
    2 oranges, peeled and diced, or 1 jar unsweetened, mandarin orange
    slices

    Toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet for 3 minutes, shaking the pan
    frequently. In a blender or Vita-Mix, combine 2 tbsp. sesame seeds,
    the cashews, orange juice, and vinegar. Add the diced oranges to the
    salad and mix in the blended dressing. Sprinkle the remaining
    sesame seeds on top. This tastes great on a spinach and mushroom
    salad.