What Are Ridiculously Easy Salad Dressings To Make?

What Are Ridiculously Easy Salad Dressings To Make?

It takes time and effort to prepare a good salad dressing, but let us tell you - they don't even need to be complicated. If you want to replace your store bought dips sauces to spice things up, try these ridiculously easy salad dressings that take only minutes to put together. They're also packed full of nutrients such as protein, fibre, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals.

So, where do you start when preparing a nutritious salad? Well, we’re going to show you 6 simple salad dressing recipes that are super quick and easy to whip up. These aren't just any old green salad dressing though, instead, these are loaded with lots of flavour and nutrient goodness.

The majority of them contain extra virgin olive oil, maple syrup, sweet potato, greek yogurt, dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar or lemon juice, or some sort of creamy base, but each one has its own special twist and unique flavours.

All of them require less than 15 minutes from start to finish, and every single recipe contains at least 2 grams of protein per tablespoon. So, whether you're looking for something light and fresh, or you want something hearty and filling, you've come to the right place.

6 Salad Dressing Recipes 1) Avocado Citrus Dressing (2g Protein Per Tbsp) This avocado citrus dressing is so versatile. It can be drizzled on salads, sprinkled on chicken or fish, or even used in smoothies. Since avocados are high in fat, it makes sense to balance out the calories by pairing them with other healthy fats like almonds, walnuts, flaxseed, cashews, coconut milk, etc. It's also gluten-free, keto, paleo-friendly, low-carb, and high in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids.

2) Coconut Lime Basil Dressing (3g Protein Per Tbsp) This coconut lime dressing features sweet pineapple, zesty lime, soothing ginger, and cooling basil. Pineapple provides B Vitamins and Vitamin C, Ginger is known for its benefits for digestive health, and basil helps boost your immune system.

You could also use honey here if you'd prefer a sweeter dressing. This would be great paired with romaine lettuce, spinach, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber, carrots, or radishes. A little bit goes a long way too.

3) Cashew Hemp Seed Dressing (4g Protein Per Tbsp ) This cashew hemp seed dressing is perfect for those who love nut butter and oils due to its richness and complexity. It's made of cashews, almond butter, hemp seeds, chia seeds, apple cider vinegar, garlic, turmeric, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper.

Turmeric boosts immunity while apples help keep your heart healthy. Cayenne peppers are a wonderful source of capsaicin which kills off bad bacteria and fights inflammation. Chia seeds add a nice texture to the dressing and keep it thick without adding a lot of extra calories.

4) Kale Walnut Dressing (5g Protein Per Tbsp ) Kale is a nutritional powerhouse containing more calcium than cow's milk, iron, magnesium, vitamin K, folate, thiamine, phosphorus, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, potassium, copper, manganese, zinc, selenium, vitamin C, beta carotene, lutein/zeaxanthin, phytosterols, fibre, and antioxidants.

This dressing is very tasty as well because it combines crunchy walnuts, the rich creaminess of cashews, the tangy sweetness of raisins, and the sharpness of mustard greens. It's my most popular salad dressing recipe after all. Try topping your salad off with some crumbled bacon, chopped scallions, dried cranberries, jalapenos, or sliced black olives.

5) Lemon Thyme Vinaigrette (6g Protein Per Tbsp.)

This vinaigrette tastes incredible with juicy grape tomatoes, tender baby spinach leaves, crispy arugula, or wilted red leaf lettuce. It consists of lemon juice, thyme, sea salt, and olive oil.

Thyme has been used medicinally since ancient times; it is an antioxidant that aids digestion and promotes blood circulation. Sea salt adds flavour and minerals. The lemon brings a refreshing taste and vitamin C. Olive oil gives the dressing a creamy consistency.

6. Honey Mustard Dressing (7g Protein Per Tbsp.).

If you're looking for a savoury dressing, this one is perfect for serving with a side salad grilled meats, poultry, seafood, sautéed vegetables, roasted veggies, or anything else you may have. It features real honey, spicy mustard, and just enough vinegar to kick up the flavour. I recommend using organic apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar for the best results.

If you don't want any added sugar, make sure to include only 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. The rest you'll need is honey. Just remember to strain it before putting it into your blender or food processor. You can save the pulp from the applesauce you'll be making for later use!

For the full list of ingredients read the label on the back of the container. Just remember - less may be more when making salad dressings.

But don't worry, there's no need to be boring. Feel free to experiment with different herbs, spices, nuts, fruit, veggies, and combinations of these ingredients. They will make any salad look and taste amazing!