Homemade salad dressing

I like using different balsamic vinegars -- spicy, fruity ones are probably my favorite. But orange juice or lime juice on its own works really well too. For an add of creamy, mix with some plain greek yogurt and add some spices.

I've been using this one for like 2 months straight: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/14297/asian-coleslaw/

You have to like raw ginger and garlic though. I use peanut powder instead of PB, 1/3 the oil, and substitute a portion of sugar w/ stevia,

I agree with others...the infused vinegars are tasty and lo cal. I particularly like the grapefruit balsamic vinegar (sounds sour...but is sweet) and the raspberry balsamic vinegar...both of which can be used solely on their own or paired with a lemon infused olive oil. For the lo cal option, I'm just fine with the infused vinegars without any oil. For an Asian flavor, try any of the rice vinegars (some are seasoned and some not) paired with just a couple of drops (go light) of sesame oil.

yogurt & avocado

Another tasty substitute is using a delicious salsa!

3 ounce, Frozen Avocado Halves mashed
9 oz., Greek Fat Free Yogurt
3 tbsp, Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
0.50 tbsp, Spices, dill weed, dried
0.25 tsp(s), Salt
0.25 tsp, ground, Spices, pepper, black

4 servings, comes out to 83 calories 4 grams of fat and 7 grams of protein a serving.
You might need to adjust the lemon juice and salt and pepper to your taste as I don't always really measure those, just add until it's right.
Also, I make this without the avocado for a good tangy dip for raw veggies

This was my grandmother's recipe for a Sweet Onion Dressing. I would not consider it lo-cal...but, then again, it all depends on how much you use:

.5 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
1 cup Vegetable Oil
.667 cup Granulate Sugar
1 teaspoon Salt
.5 teaspoon Pepper
1 medium Onion
1 teaspoon Celery Salt
2 teaspoons dry or prepared Mustard (I prefer the dry mustard)

Thoroughly blend all ingredients in blender. Stores in refrigerator without separating for several weeks.

Your basic dressing starts with an oil and a sour note. Try sesame oil, mayonnaise, or mashed avocado, for example instead of olive. Sour notes include vinegars, citrus juices, yogurt, buttermilk. Then consider savory notes, such as garlic, soy sauce, capers, peanut butter, or roasted peppers, and sweet notes such as honey, maple syrup, flavored vinegars, or a spoonful of jam or jelly. Then consider herbs or spices. Don't forget salt and heat!

For different ideas, think about your favorite foods and the complete flavor profile, so for example you might end up with a Thai dressing made with sesame oil, soy, lime juice, peanut butter, red pepper, garlic, and ginger. If you wanted a more Indian flavor, leave out the soy and add garam masala. Or a Mexican dressing with sour cream and lime juice. There are literally infinite ideas, as long as you keep in mind the balance between your basic flavors, just throw stuff in there and be adventurous.

Red wine vinegar with some Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Lots of flavor, doesn't even need oil.

Not sure how low cal you're after and I like my salad dressing sweet. Here's my tweaked copycat version of the maple vinaigrette dressing on Chick-Fil-A's superfood side salad:

5 tablespoons maple syrup
1/2 cup olive oil (I use the Pompeian extra light tasting; I don't like the flavor of EVOO.)
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper (I'm not a big fan of pepper.)

Experiment and change it up to suit your tastes.

Great ideas! Without doing the trial & error thing myself, does anyone have a version of blue cheese dressing that they like?

This one sounds a little crazy....but try it! It's amazing.

I use Low Calorie Cucumber dressing and add wasabi paste until I get the spice level I like.

I call it Cusabi Dressing! The wasabi adds a bit of spice and the cucumber is cool and refreshing.....great combo.

I found a salad dressing at Walmart it is called Walden Farms they have different flavors i got the bacon ranch, ranch, thousand island and honey Dijan. Believe it or not it has nothing in it but sodium. Thats all there is. I tried it and it is great. It tastes just like the regular salad dressings. The only difference i see is it is not as thick as the regular creamy dressings. I use it on salad as a dip for my veggies. Try it you'll like it i did

I do a really simple one that my daughter and I both love:

Red wine vinegar
Liquid honey
Whole grain mustard.

Just play around with the quantities until you get the taste (and calories!) that you want.
Yum!!!

Sorry, ... I never tire of some good tasting oil and vinegar on my salad veggies. Sometimes with seasoning and spices, sometimes not. Not a fan of dressed hot vegetables so don't ever even thing about salad dressing for them ...