Making your own dressing with fresh, flavourful ingredients is the easiest way to elevate your salad from so-so to amazing. You’ll also give yourself room to experiment. Add a sprinkle of cayenne can satisfy a spice craving, for instance, or a dash of turmeric for pleasant earthiness.
Must Try Salad Dressing Recipes
1. Chipotle Tahini Dressing
A little sweet and a little earthy, this vibrant salad dressing is a must-try. Its pleasant earthiness comes from tahini — made from ground sesame seeds — while a dash of ground chipotle powder gives it a pleasant kick. This dressing pairs well with any veggies, but tastes especially good with earthy greens, like kale.
2. Garlic and Herb Vinaigrette
This deliciously savoury vinaigrette proves that “basic” definitely doesn’t mean “boring.” This dressings’ versatile flavour profile works in virtually any salad, and even makes a tasty marinade for chicken, shrimp or pork. Make a double batch to use in your meal prep all week long.
3. Smokehouse Maple Vinaigrette
We’re in love with all things maple syrup, and this maple vinaigrette recipe is no exception. Made from Smokehouse Maple-Flavoured Wet Rub, this dressing infuses your salad with sweet, BBQ-inspired flavour. Use the rest of the wet rub on your favourite barbeque fare, like shrimp.
4. Mango Basil Seed Oil-Free Dressing
Sweet, spicy and earthy, this dressing tastes like summer. Basil seeds add fun, unexpected texture to this salad dressing — like chia seeds, they plump up in water for subtle crunchiness. And, bonus, this dressing is oil-free, so it can fit into lower-fat diets.
5. Creamy Mustard Vinaigrette
This creamy, tangy vinaigrette is a workhorse in the kitchen: it tastes just as great on grilled chicken or steak as it does on salad. It’s also ripe for customization: use maple syrup instead of honey for “maple dijon” flavour, or add a dash of cayenne for more spice. Best of all, you can make this dressing with just a few pantry staples, so it’s perfect for those “not sure what to make” nights.
6. Spicy Lime Vinaigrette
Warmer temperatures call for more refreshing salad dressings, and this citrusy one is a must-try. Rice vinegar, lime juice and fish sauce create a complex flavour profile, while crushed red pepper gives it a pleasant kick. Use it in noodle salads, like we did in this recipe, or as an Asian-inspired homemade coleslaw dressing.
7. Ginger-Soy Vinaigrette
Love Asian-inspired salads? This homemade vinaigrette salad dressing is a must-try. It perfectly balances spicy ginger and savoury soy flavours, and gets a hint of satisfying creaminess from mayo. Ginger-soy vinaigrette instantly upgrades any leafy green salad or slaw. It also works great as a topping for grain bowls or grilled chicken.
8. Maple Bacon Vinaigrette
What’s better than maple? Maple + bacon, of course! This vinaigrette salad dressing is ultra-easy — it’s made with a basic vegetable oil and cider vinegar base — but gets a major upgrade from sweet, smoky Maple Bacon Seasoning. Enjoy it on grilled veggie salads, or on leafy green salads featuring pungent greens like arugula or kale.
9. Basil and Pistachio Vinaigrette
A little texture makes any salad instantly more satisfying — so why not include it right in your salad dressing? This salad dressing recipe calls for chopped pistachios, which adds a hint of creaminess along with some crunch. It also features fresh basil, to help you make the most of your herb garden harvest.
Try These Salad Recipes
- Ensalada De Noples (Cactus Salad)
- 7 Layer Salad
- Fattoush Salad
- Jazzy Steak Salad
- Cajun Corn And Bean Salad
- Seared Scallops With Red Grapefruit Avocado Salad
Learn More About How To Make A Great Salad
- 7 Easy Homemade Salad Dressings
- 10 Easy Ways To Add Turmeric To Your Everyday Dishes And Drinks
- 5 Vegetarian Recipes To Serve Up On Meatless Mondays
- How To Cook Asparagus
- Plant Based Diet 101
- 15 Sweet And Savoury Maple Syrup Recipes
Ready for a season of unforgettable salads? Create a Flavour Profile to save your favourite recipes — and never settle for uninspired greens ever again.
