Healthy Salad Dressing 2 Ways

Healthy salad dressing can be hard to find. Honey & balsamic vinegar dressing and lemon & herb-infused olive oil dressing are two healthy and tasty ways to dress your salads. One is a little sweet and the other is more savory.

All about Healthy Salad Dressings

Healthy salad dressings can make all the difference when it comes to a nutritious meal. Not only do they add flavor and texture, but they also have nutrients that can help you on your journey to better health.

Healthy salad dressings are those made with natural ingredients like olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, or herbs. These types of dressings provide more healthy fats and antioxidants. It is best to make your own dressing with fresh ingredients. Salad dressings made with mayonnaise or sour cream have more calories and less healthy fats than olive oil-based dressings.

Eating salad with healthy salad dressing is a great way to boost your intake of veggies. They are full of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, antioxidants, and fiber. Olive oil-based dressings provide an excellent source of monounsaturated fats that help to lower bad cholesterol levels in your body. The fats in the dressing also help you absorb the fat-soluble vitamins – vitamins A, D, E, and K – from the salad.

Ingredients You’ll Need for these 2 Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes

Honey & balsamic vinegar dressing

• Extra virgin olive oil
• Balsamic vinegar
• Honey
• Salt
• Italian seasoning: dried garlic, oregano, thyme, rosemary, chili flakes, basil, and black pepper

Lemon and herb-infused olive oil dressing

• Extra virgin olive oil
• Juice of one lemon
• Garlic clove
• Bunch of fresh chives
• Bunch of fresh parsley
• Salt

How to Make these Salad Dressing Recipes

Honey & balsamic vinegar dressing

1. Add the olive oil, honey, Italian seasoning, salt, and balsamic vinegar to a glass jar.
2. Close the lid and shake well. Or mix it with a fork.

Lemon & herb-infused olive oil dressing

1. Juice the lemon and set aside.
2. Finely mince or press the garlic clove and set aside.
3. Chop the chives and parsley as fine as possible.
4. Add the olive oil, lemon juice, fresh herbs, minced garlic, and salt in a glass jar.
5. Close the lid and shake well. Or mix it with a fork.

Tips and Variations for Healthy Salad Dressing

When making your own homemade salad dressings, there are some key tips and tricks that can help you create and use the dressing.

• Start with high-quality extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and honey.
• Substitute bottled lemon juice if you need to, but fresh citrus juices will give the best flavor.
• Allow the lemon & herb-infused olive oil dressing to sit for 30 minutes for the flavors to infuse the olive oil. Both dressings are ready to use as soon as they are made, but allowing it to sit will increase the flavor.
• Try different herbs and spices as desired, such as cilantro, onion powder, garlic powder, etc.
• Use on green leaf salads and chopped veggie salads.
• Use as a marinade for fish or meat before cooking.
• Drizzle on raw vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots, for an easy side dish.
• Toss with cooked grains and legumes for a flavorful grain bowl.
• Blend with steamed vegetables for seasoning.

Healthy Salad Dressing FAQs

Does the amount of oil I use affect the flavor of my salad dressing?

Yes, the amount of oil you use in your salad dressing can affect the flavor and texture of your finished product. If you use too much oil, the dressing may become too greasy. Too little oil can leave the dressing dry and lacking in flavor. It’s important to find a balance between these two extremes.

Is there an easy way to thicken a runny homemade salad dressing?

The simplest way to thicken a runny homemade salad dressing is to add a thickener, such as cornstarch, arrowroot powder, or tapioca flour. Whisk together 1 tablespoon of the chosen thickener with 1 teaspoon of cold water until there are no lumps. Then slowly add this mixture to the dressing while whisking until it reaches the desired thickness.

How do I store healthy salad dressing?

You can store the honey & balsamic vinegar dressing for up to 2 weeks. You can store the lemon & herb-infused olive oil dressing for up to 1 week. It has a shorter life due to the fresh lemon juice and raw garlic. After a week, the flavors are not as fresh.

Healthy Salad Recipes

• Healthy Blackened Salmon Salad
• Easy Rainbow Salad
• Healthy Taco Salad Dressing
• Healthy Thai Salad with Lemongrass Dressing

Bottom Line

Making salad dressing at home is a great way to control the ingredients and add flavor to your salads. These two healthy salad dressing recipes – honey & balsamic vinegar dressing and lemon & herb-infused olive oil dressing – offer a delicious alternative to store-bought dressings. And they’re so versatile that you can use them as marinades for fish or meat or even on cooked grains and legumes.