Why You Should Make Your Next Salad Dressing at Home (Plus, Vegan Recipes!)

A simple salad served with a delicious dressing is a staple in families around the world – especially during the hotter months And so it has been for centuries. According to the Association for Dressings and Sauces, the Babylonians chose oil and vinegar for their greens, while the ancient Egyptians preferred to add some spices. And it was the French nobility, more than 200 years ago, who first reached for mayonnaise. Now, there are many, many different options to choose from to liven up your salad. But, before you head to the store, here’s why it’s a great idea to consider making your own dressing at home (plus vegan recipe ideas, of course).

Is store-bought salad dressing healthy?

Salads are a super healthy meal choice because, frankly, they’re loaded with vitamin-rich vegetables. Also, you can also choose to add nutritious fruits, nuts, grains and seeds depending on your preference.

But often, the dressings you find on grocery store shelves aren’t as healthy. Creamy options can be high in oil, which means they’re high in saturated fat, for example. “The oil will determine the ratio of fat in the dressing and play an important role in how ‘healthy’ the dressing is,” says Melissa Rifkin, MS, RD, CDN. Huffington Post.

But that doesn’t mean all oil-based alternatives are bad, as some alternatives like olive oil are high in healthy unsaturated fats, for example.

Other ingredients to watch out for in store-bought salad dressings include sugar, salt and preservatives. That’s not to say there’s anything wrong with indulging in your favorite dressing flavors (you’re still eating those nutritious salad greens, after all!), but when you’ve got the time and energy, it might be worth making them at home— It’s also extra rewarding that way.

What are the benefits of homemade salad dressing?

Making your own dressing from home can be a very simple process. All you have to do is find the flavors you like and then find a recipe to match (and we’ve got tons of ideas below!) That way, you know. everything that goes into your food—no high levels of salt, saturated fat, or sugar (unless you want to add them!) and you still get the same delicious taste you love. For inspiration, check out some of our favorite vegan salad dressing recipes below.

Healthy Girl Kitchen

1 Hemp seed farm

This creamy oil-free dressing, made with hemp seeds and dried herbs, is the perfect accompaniment to a classic, crisp wedge salad. For extra crunch, this recipe shows you how to make delicious coconut bacon with coconut flakes, maple syrup, soy sauce, and liquid smoke.
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Alejandra Schrader. Dr. Gunhild Stordalen

2 Cashew dill curd

This cashew dill yogurt recipe is a little more labor intensive (you’ll need to spend a little extra time making cultured cashew yogurt, for example), but it’s worth it for a fun, addictive, creamy salad dressing. It goes well with ingredients like shaved fennel and pink grapefruit.
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Desiree Nielsen

3 Tahini yogurt

Combine Middle Eastern flavors with Mediterranean with this tahini yogurt salad dressing, best enjoyed with salad ingredients like radicchio, plums, walnuts, Medjool dates, and fresh mint.
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Juliana Hever

4 carrot ginger

For those who like a little mix of sweet and spicy, this oil-free, fruity carrot-ginger dressing is perfect. It is best served with wasabi edamame, daikon radish, and julienned vegetables, such as carrots and cucumbers.
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Linana is two moons

5 Spicy Sesame Soya

Transport yourself to the island of Hawaii with this spicy sesame soy dressing served with watermelon poke. The latter is a great alternative to a regular salad, and while it is traditionally served with raw fish, cooked watermelon, which closely resembles tuna in texture and appearance, is the perfect vegetarian option.
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Jenna Hamshaw

6 Maple-mustard

Maple syrup and mustard may seem like an odd combination at first, but trust us, this unlikely combination creates a deliciously sweet and salty flavor. This dressing is best served with sweet potatoes, tempeh and baby arugula.
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Murdoch book

7 Zesty lime

Combining ingredients like lime, ginger, tamari and sesame oil, this zesty, light dressing is bursting with flavor. Combine it with your favorite salad ingredients, or you can do the stir-fry route as directed in this recipe.
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