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Take your salads and veggies to the next level!
Because I like easy, stress-free sides, like salads and steamed greens, I can’t tell you how much easier it is to get my family to eat these when they are tossed in a delicious dressing. And I have to admit, I would probably eat a lot less salad if it wasn’t for the dressings! Believe me, the same healthy but “dull” salad that previously got a thumbs down can be hailed as “delicious” with the addition of a great dressing. And it doesn’t need to be complicated! It can be as simple as olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. However, for variety, it’s nice to have a few different types of dressings for different types of salads and vegetables – as well as other foods like tacos, burgers, rolls, wraps, dips for fries and wedges – and to suit whatever cuisine you are cooking. So here I’ve provided a few that I swear by and use again and again.
Another great reason to make your own dressings, is that supermarket dressings can be expensive and filled with additives. Homemade tastes so much better and you know exactly what’s going into them! Also, making your own dressing avoids the clutter of endless half-opened bottles in the fridge that take up valuable fridge real estate, and inevitably end up being thrown out.
So next time you want to take your simple salads, steamed greens, sandwiches, burgers, nachos or whatever it might be to the next level, come back to these dressings as there is something here for everyone and every occasion.
Although the dressings below are my favourites and all work really well, I encourage you to get creative and add your own spin. Add some crushed garlic or a dash of hot sauce. Add a teaspoon of maple syrup or some chopped fresh herbs. Experiment with different vinegars. Add seeds like pepitas (pumpkin seeds), sesame seeds or pine nuts. Add cheese, such as goat’s cheese or whatever you fancy, or even sliced hardboiled eggs. Remember that the type of salt and pepper you use can make a difference. I always use sea salt flakes and freshly cracked black pepper.
This is my go-to dressing, which comes together in seconds. It’s the sweetness of the balsamic that makes this a winner. It pairs with almost any leafy greens of your choice to create a salad that can be served with all manner of dishes, including rich and creamy recipes, roasted meats, barbecues, pasta, soups and casseroles.
Ingredients
3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp sea salt flakes
½ tsp cracked black pepper
Method
Combine all the ingredients in a jar and shake well, or combine in a small bowl.
Use this on any salad of your choice or on steamed green veggies, such as broccolini (tenderstem broccoli) or asparagus. I also love it in more substantial salads, such as my Kale, Quinoa and Haloumi Salad and Beetroot, Feta and Wild Rice Salad.
Ingredients
4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp dijon mustard
½ tsp sea salt flakes
½ tsp cracked black pepper
Method
Combine all the ingredients in a jar and shake well, or combine in a small bowl.
Use this creamy dressing on any salad of your choice or on steamed green veggies, such as broccolini (tenderstem broccoli) or asparagus. It is also fantastic in burgers, especially chicken – see my Crispy Chicken Burgers with Honey Mustard Coleslaw – or as a dip for popcorn chicken, crumbed chicken tenders, wedges or fries.
Ingredients
⅔ cup (160 g) whole-egg mayonnaise
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp dijon mustard
1 tsp wholegrain mustard
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Sea salt flakes, to taste
Cracked black pepper, to taste
Method
Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl.
This dressing is ideal for substantial Asian-style salads, such as Chicken Noodle Salad with Sesame Soy Dressing. It’s also great with a coleslaw as a side for Asian dishes. See my Homemade Coleslaw and substitute the dressing with this one.
Ingredients
¼ cup (60 ml) sweet chilli sauce (or honey)
2 tbsp tamari or all-purpose soy sauce
2 tbsp lime juice (or rice wine vinegar)
1 tbsp sesame oil
Method
Combine all the ingredients in a jar and shake well, or combine in a small bowl.
This dressing is wonderful for Thai-style salads, such as my Thai Beef and Noodle Salad. But you can use it on a simple leafy salad to be the perfect accompaniment to a Thai meal.
Ingredients
3 tbsp lime juice or rice wine vinegar
2 tbsp water
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp tamari or all-purpose soy sauce
1 tbsp fish sauce (or more tamari or soy sauce)
1 tbsp sesame oil
¼ tsp freshly grated garlic
¼ tsp freshly grated ginger
Method
Combine all the ingredients in a jar and shake well, or combine in a small bowl.
This one is great for more substantial Asian-style salads, such as Chicken Salad with Creamy Peanut Dressing, to serve with homemade fresh spring rolls, or drizzled on Chicken Satay Skewers.
Ingredients
¼ cup (60 g) natural peanut butter (I use smooth)
2 tbsp tamari or all-purpose soy sauce
2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce (or honey or maple syrup)
2 tbsp lime juice (or rice wine vinegar, white vinegar or apple cider vinegar)
1 tbsp sesame oil
Method
Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl.
This is absolutely delicious with a pasta salad, such as my Pesto Pasta Salad, or to add to rolls, sandwiches and wraps.
Ingredients
½ cup (125 g) homemade or store-bought pesto
¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
½ tsp sea salt flakes
½ tsp cracked black pepper
Method
Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl.
This is a ranch dressing with the addition of creamy avocado. It’s delicious on pasta salads, such as my BLAT Pasta Salad. If you omit the avocado, you can use this wherever you’d normally use a ranch, such as with Southern Fried Chicken, chicken wings, burgers, fries or wedges, or fish and chips.
Ingredients
1 avocado
¼ cup (15 g) fresh parsley
¼ cup (10 g) fresh dill
1 tbsp chopped fresh chives
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp whole-egg mayonnaise
1 cup (250 ml) buttermilk
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp sea salt flakes
½ tsp cracked black pepper
Method
Add all of the avocado ranch dressing ingredients to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.
This is a quick dressing you can use for caesar salad or really for any green salad or other salad of your choice.
Ingredients
⅓ cup (80 g) whole-egg mayonnaise
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 heaped tbsp freshly grated parmesan
½ tsp cracked black pepper
½ tsp sea salt flakes
Method
Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl.
This is a great creamy mayo dressing, ideal for for potato salad or other salads. You could also serve it as a dip for wedges or fries, in burgers or with fish and chips.
Ingredients
4 heaped tbsp whole-egg mayonnaise
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp roughly chopped baby capers
1 tbsp finely chopped gherkins (dill pickles)
½ tbsp finely chopped red onion
1 tbsp finely chopped fresh dill (optional)
½ tsp sea salt flakes
½ tsp cracked black pepper
Method
Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl.
There are so many uses for this beautifully refreshing dressing, which is basically a tzatziki. It’s great for Mediterranean or Middle Eastern foods. I use it in many of my dishes, such as my Lemon and Oregano Tzatziki Wraps, Chicken Gyros, Leftover Mediterranean Lamb Pizza and any koftas or kebabs.
Ingredients
1 small cucumber, grated and excess juice squeezed out
1 tbsp finely chopped fresh dill
1 tbsp finely chopped fresh mint
1 cup (250 g) plain Greek yoghurt
1 tbsp lemon juice
½ tsp freshly minced garlic
½ tsp salt
Method
Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl.
For all your Tex-Mex needs, including tacos, burritos, enchiladas, nachos and quesadillas, or just to dress a salad or vegetables to go with these dishes.
Ingredients
1 avocado
⅓ cup (90 g) plain yoghurt
½ bunch coriander (cilantro), roughly chopped
½ tsp freshly minced garlic
1 tbsp lime juice
½ tsp sea salt flakes
½ tsp cracked black pepper
1–2 tbsp water, to loosen as required
Method
Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl.
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Sourav Das says:
I go through your post. It is so much helpful and informative. Thanks a lot.