Salad dressing

What is your favorite lower calorie salad dressing? I’m trying to get ideas for when I do my grocery shopping. My ranch that I’m currently using is about 150 calories...trying to save calories here.
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Replies

  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,203 Member
    I make my own, usually vinegar plus seasonings, but occasionally I'll make a yogurt-based dressing, top a salad with cottage cheese, or use salsa. I dislike having the same dressing salad after salad, and since I live alone, using up a whole bottle of commercial dressing takes way too long and bores the bejeepers out of me long before it's gone.
  • ktekc
    ktekc Posts: 879 Member
    i use bolthouse ranch its in the cooler in the produce section. its either 35 or 45 i dont remember offhand and it tastes the same to me. i like the ceasar and the salsa ranch as well.
  • Maxxitt
    Maxxitt Posts: 1,281 Member
    Bolthouse Farms Ranch is pretty decent - made with buttermilk & yogurt - about 45 calories for 30 g (2 TBS). Their blue cheese is also ok.
  • manderson27
    manderson27 Posts: 3,510 Member
    I like to make my own mint dressing. Tablespoon of olive oil, freshly chopped mint and vinegar.
    I also like Tesco Lemon and Black pepper. Otherwise it is just salad cream or mayo.
  • glassyo
    glassyo Posts: 7,739 Member
    Bolthouse Cucumber Ranch and the italian.
  • cheyeneinthesprings
    cheyeneinthesprings Posts: 46 Member
    Ok I’m going to look for bolthouse...
  • corinasue1143
    corinasue1143 Posts: 7,464 Member
    Just bought some ranch seasoning mix. Instructions say mix with buttermilk, sour cream, yogurt or mixture. I plan to play around with it. Going to try skim milk with a little bit of vinegar first.
  • whmscll
    whmscll Posts: 2,254 Member
    Trader Joe’s Champagne Style Vinaigrette. 60 cals for 2 Tbsp.
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    I've always made my own. I like vinaigrettes so to save cals I just use less olive oil. A good super low cal option is red wine vinegar plus a tasty mustard (I like spicy brown ones, but dijon is fine too). A spicy option is soy sauce + sriracha and some lime juice.
  • NovusDies
    NovusDies Posts: 8,940 Member
    I am in the "make my own" group too. Lately mine have all been vinegar based but I have done yogurt based and a few that were mostly pureed vegetables that I thickened with xanthan gum.
  • 7ElizabethAnn7
    7ElizabethAnn7 Posts: 22 Member
    A drizzle of high quality flavored balsamic vinegar. I favor fig or pomegranate.
  • missysippy930
    missysippy930 Posts: 2,577 Member
    Raspberry vinaigrette made with frozen raspberries, 1/4 cup of sugar free raspberry jam, oil of choice, raspberry vinegar.
  • zeejane4
    zeejane4 Posts: 230 Member
    edited May 2019
    My go-to's used to be Kraft fat free Italian dressing and low fat Catalina.

    I make my own now though, thanks to someone sharing an awesome recipe here :)

    3 parts salsa, (I love Garden Fresh Gourmet Sweet Onion salsa), with 2 parts full fat sour cream and then I also add 1/2-1 tsp of taco seasoning. Mix together and refrigerate. Tastes great with all sorts of salad combinations and also as a sandwich condiment, on vegetables etc.

    https://www.gardenfreshgourmet.com/products/4/sweet-onion-salsa
  • puffbrat
    puffbrat Posts: 2,806 Member
    Newman's Own raspberry walnut vinaigrette.
  • New_Heavens_Earth
    New_Heavens_Earth Posts: 610 Member
    Opa and Bolthouse, or just vinegar (red wine or apple cider) plus herbs and a pinch of Himalayan salt.
  • mrshadsall
    mrshadsall Posts: 30 Member
    Skinny Girl Rasberry Vinaigrette! Five Calories per serving (2 Tbs.) And delicious!
  • deetails26
    deetails26 Posts: 108 Member
    Light Olive Garden Italian dressing! its 30 cals per serving
  • chris89topher
    chris89topher Posts: 389 Member
    mrshadsall wrote: »
    Skinny Girl Rasberry Vinaigrette! Five Calories per serving (2 Tbs.) And delicious!

    That's my favorite too! I was just coming here to post that. Only 5 calories per serving is a beautiful thing. I use 4 tablespoons worth for only 10 calories....can't beat that! And it's delicious.

    https://www.skinnygirldressings.com/products/skinnygirl-raspberry-vinaigrette-salad-dressing/
  • cheyeneinthesprings
    cheyeneinthesprings Posts: 46 Member
    zeejane4 wrote: »
    My go-to's used to be Kraft fat free Italian dressing and low fat Catalina.

    I make my own now though, thanks to someone sharing an awesome recipe here :)

    3 parts salsa, (I love Garden Fresh Gourmet Sweet Onion salsa), with 2 parts full fat sour cream and then I also add 1/2-1 tsp of taco seasoning. Mix together and refrigerate. Tastes great with all sorts of salad combinations and also as a sandwich condiment, on vegetables etc.

    https://www.gardenfreshgourmet.com/products/4/sweet-onion-salsa

    OMG that sounds so good!
  • cheyeneinthesprings
    cheyeneinthesprings Posts: 46 Member
    dlboyle26 wrote: »
    Light Olive Garden Italian dressing! its 30 cals per serving

    Oh yes, I've tried this and forgot about it. It IS good!
  • staticsplit
    staticsplit Posts: 538 Member
    I like using houmous, though it's not exactly low cal. Filling, though!

    Olive oil & balsamic, but light on the oil.

    Just lemon juice and black pepper.

    Little bit of sesame oil goes a long way as it's so flavourful, with rice wine vinegar.

    Cottage cheese and hot sauce.

    Yoghurt and Skyr with a bit of vinegar, dried chives, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper. Sort of like ranch.

    Satay sauce with peanut butter or tahini, soy sauce, lemon or lime juice, water, cayenne pepper.
  • sarahEA88
    sarahEA88 Posts: 15 Member
    Maple Grove Fat Free Greek. 5 calories per tablespoon with ingredients I've heard of: Water, Cider Vinegar, Sugar, Seasoning Blend (Salt, Sugar, Onion and Garlic, Spices, Natural Flavor), Cellulose Gum, Cellulose Gel, Spices, Potato Starch, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate (to Preserve Freshness)
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    What is your favorite lower calorie salad dressing? I’m trying to get ideas for when I do my grocery shopping. My ranch that I’m currently using is about 150 calories...trying to save calories here.

    Usually I reduce calories by only using half a serving and adding cottage cheese to equal the amount of lettuce in grams. (So 80 grams lettuce and 80 grams cottage cheese.)

    In the summers I also make 1. The Joy of Cooking Ranch dressing recipe using plain yogurt and 2. JOC Tzatziki sauce, also with yogurt, and with fresh cucumber - it's a lot lighter than what I get with gyros from sub shops. I get the herbs from my garden, mmm, yum!
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    People find different foods filling.
  • busyPK
    busyPK Posts: 3,788 Member
    Ken's Steakhouse Lite Northern Italian dressing - seriously so good and 45 calories for 2T. All three of my children LOVE this dressing too!
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    Chickpeas are.

    For that matter, I think a small serving of nuts can be.

    (I don't actually like hummus, always go for baba ganoush and don't consider it especially filling, but some might!)
  • MelanieCN77
    MelanieCN77 Posts: 4,047 Member
    Bolthouse yoghurt dressings, but I also use tzatziki a lot.
  • JustinAnimal
    JustinAnimal Posts: 1,335 Member
    Rather than worry about low calorie, I go for what feels more real. Homemade! Nothing beats it.

    Homemade ranch:

    -equal parts mayonaise and sour cream (experiment with low or reduced fat; honestly, I use nonfat plain greek yogurt in place of the sour cream and use minimal mayo)
    -liberal dashes of dill, garlic powder, fresh or dehydrated chives
    -s n' p

    Homemade balsamic vinegar (this is my favorite, but don't feel you have to use every single ingredient)

    -olive oil
    -balsamic vinegar
    -a bit of red wine vinegar (balsamic ain't that tart)
    -crushed garlic
    -pinch of brown sugar
    -fresh or dried herbs (I love basil)
    -s n' p
    -squirt of dijon as emulsifier
  • etherealanwar
    etherealanwar Posts: 465 Member
    I really enjoy the Marzetti Apple Cider Vinaigrette for 60 cals per 2 tbsp.
  • Sunshine_And_Sand
    Sunshine_And_Sand Posts: 1,320 Member
    For store bought, I like fat free Italian, sun-dried tomato vinaigrette, fat free French, creamy Italian, Caesar, and green goddess.
    When making my own:
    Honey mustard dressing - plain yellow mustard, raw honey, safflower oil, apple cider vinegar, water
    Avocado lime - mashed avocado, lime juice, diluted with water
    Cilantro lime - yellow mustard, raw honey, lime juice
    Endless possibilities with making your own dressings.