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12 Healthy Homemade Salad Dressings to Make Eating Vegetables a True Enjoyment

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Behind every delicious salad lies a stunning dressing. Fresh vegetables may be ordinary, but a spoonful of cleverly prepared dressing can elevate simple ingredients, even making family members love fruits and vegetables they previously avoided. Homemade dressings are not only healthy and additive-free, but they also save money and space compared to repeatedly buying bottled salad dressings, and allow for creative expression, adapting to different dishes.


Light Vinaigrette

Taste Highlights: Rich olive oil paired with sweet balsamic vinegar, suitable for everything.

  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ยฝ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Best paired with common leafy greens or steamed vegetables, and can also add a refreshing flavor to richer dishes.


Lemon Mustard Sauce

Flavor Highlights: Lemon adds flavor, mustard enhances aroma, refreshing and rich.

  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon mustard sauce
  • ยฝ teaspoon sea salt
  • ยฝ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions: Mix all ingredients together.


Honey Mustard Sauce

Flavor Highlights: Sweet with a hint of mustard, smooth texture, rich flavor.

  • โ…” cup whole egg mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon mustard sauce
  • 1 teaspoon coarse mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • A pinch of sea salt and black pepper

Instructions: Mix well. Suitable for dipping chicken nuggets, fries, or serving with salads.


Asian-Style Sweet Chili Sauce

Flavor Highlights: Slightly spicy and sweet, suitable for Asian-style salads or wraps.

  • ยผ cup sweet chili sauce (or honey)
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice/rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil

Instructions: Mix all ingredients together.


Thai Refreshing Sauce

Flavor Highlights: Balanced sweet and sour flavors, refreshing with a touch of Southeast Asian flair.

  • 3 tablespoons lime juice or rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce (or more soy sauce)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • ยผ teaspoon minced fresh garlic
  • ยผ teaspoon minced fresh ginger

Instructions: Mix well.


Peanut Butter Seasoning

Flavor Highlights: Rich peanut flavor, especially delicious with salads and spring rolls.

  • ยผ cup peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce/honey/maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice/rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil

Instructions: Mix all ingredients and stir until smooth.


Classic Pesto Salad Dressing

Flavor Highlights: Basil pesto is fragrant, blended with olive oil and lemon juice, perfect for Italian salads.

  • ยฝ cup pesto
  • ยผ cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • ยฝ teaspoon sea salt
  • ยฝ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions: Mix all ingredients together.


Avocado Ranch Dressing

Flavor Highlights: Rich and creamy, with a smooth avocado flavor, garnished with fresh herbs.

  • 1 avocado
  • ยผ cup fresh parsley
  • ยผ cup fresh dill
  • 1 tablespoon chives
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ยฝ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions: Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.


Caesar Sauce

Flavor Highlights: The combination of mayonnaise and Parmesan cheese creates a savory and layered flavor.

  • โ…“ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese
  • ยฝ teaspoon black pepper
  • ยฝ teaspoon sea salt

Instructions: Mix well.


French Tartar Sauce

Flavor Highlights: A sweet, sour, and savory sauce, perfect for potato salads and as a dip.

  • 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon pickled green peas
  • 1 tablespoon chopped pickles
  • ยฝ tablespoon chopped red onion
  • 1 tablespoon chopped dill (optional)
  • ยฝ teaspoon sea salt
  • ยฝ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions: Mix all ingredients together.


Greek Yogurt Cucumber Sauce

Taste Highlights: Cucumber and yogurt create a Mediterranean feel, refreshing and not greasy.

  • 1 small cucumber (shredded and drained)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped dill
  • 1 tablespoon chopped mint
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ยฝ teaspoon minced garlic
  • ยฝ teaspoon salt

Instructions: Mix all ingredients.


Mexican Avocado Sauce

Taste Highlights: The combination of avocado and yogurt, complemented by cilantro, is refreshing and light.

  • 1 avocado
  • โ…“ cup plain yogurt
  • ยฝ bunch cilantro
  • ยฝ teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • ยฝ teaspoon sea salt
  • ยฝ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1~2 tablespoons water (to adjust consistency)

Instructions: Mash the avocado and mix with the remaining ingredients.


Tips and Creative Suggestions

  • You can add minced garlic, hot sauce, maple syrup, fresh herbs, different types of vinegar, etc., according to your personal taste.
  • We recommend using sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the flavor.
  • For a richer texture, you can add pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, sesame seeds, sliced โ€‹โ€‹hard-boiled eggs, or goat cheese.

The secret to transforming simple vegetables lies in a heartfelt homemade sauce. From today onward, cooking doesn’t need to be complicated; pure deliciousness and health can be achieved with a simple stir.

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