Healthier DIY Versions of These 3 Popular Salad Dressings

Healthy Salad Dressings
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It should come as no surprise that salads (especially BIG salads) are a huge hit with my family. Not only is it a great way to get lots of leafy greens in your healthy diet, but you can add a variety of seasonal veggies, fruits, and nuts to really boost all things healthy(ier). Speaking of greens, if you are looking for the best salad green selections, look no further as our Editor-in-Chief has taken the guesswork out of it in the following article.

But the dressing you choose to top your salad can either make or break the whole meal. If you are still grabbing storebought dressings, you may want to think again. The majority of storebought dressings are loaded with additives, preservatives, and even hidden refined fats and sugars. The creamy dressings most often are made with mayonnaise, sour cream, egg yolks, and added sugar. As a result, they are high in saturated fat and calories and could quickly sabotage an otherwise healthy salad.

But does that automatically mean the oil- and vinegar-based ones are all given the green light? Not so fast. Beware of the unhealthy oil options and select from my recommendations for the healthiest oils.

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While I have taken the liberty to take three of the most popular salad dressings to a healthier level, I have previously shared a few other unique dressings in the following articles:

Healthy Salad Dressings

Healthy Homemade Italian Dressing

You gotta try this healthy Italian dressing alternative
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Course: Salad
Keyword: italian dressing
Servings: 6
Calories: 167kcal

Ingredients

  • ½ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • ½ tsp dried basil
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • 2 tbsp red pepper flakes
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Blend all ingredients in a blender or food processor
  • Refrigerate and enjoy!

Notes

Chef Note: You could absolutely grab a packet of your favorite Italian dressing seasoning and add to that your oil of choice, vinegar, and mustard (optional). Be careful when adding salt and pepper to these recipes as the packet will already contain a fair amount of sodium.
 Chef Note: This dressing can also be used as a marinade or a dressing.

Nutrition

Calories: 167kcal | Fat: 18g | Carbohydrates: 1.5g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Healthy Salad Dressings

Healthy Homemade Ranch Dressing

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Course: Salad
Keyword: ranch dip, ranch dressing
Servings: 8
Calories: 18kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup 0% plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp dried dill
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp dried chives
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp white rice vinegar
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Blend all ingredients in a blender or food processor.
  • Refrigerate and enjoy!

Notes

Chef Note: This dressing can also be used as a dip or a dressing.
Chef Note: A lot of folks like to add some buttermilk to this recipe, which I am not opposed to, but that is your preference. You can use it to thin the dressing out a little bit as sometimes it is too thick for some people’s liking.

Nutrition

Calories: 18kcal | Protein: 3g | Carbohydrates: 1.5g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Healthy Salad Dressings

Healthy Homemade Blue Cheese

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Course: Salad
Keyword: blue cheese, blue cheese dressing
Servings: 8
Calories: 48kcal

Ingredients

  • ½ cup 0% plain Greek yogurt
  • ⅓ cup blue cheese crumbles
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • 1 tbsp milk
  • 2 tbsp water

Instructions

  • Blend all ingredients in a blender or food processor.
  • Refrigerate and enjoy!

Notes

Chef Note: This dressing can be used as a dip or a dressing and goes great with these cauliflower wings!
 Chef Note: While I didn’t specify the type of blue cheese to use, there are several varieties, some more flavorful as others. So depending on which one you choose and your taste preference, you may add more or less blue cheese. I am all about the cheese, so there can never be enough blue cheese chunks in mine.
Chef Note: A lot of folks like to add some buttermilk to this recipe, which I am not opposed to, but that is your preference. You can use it to thin the dressing out a little bit as sometimes it is a bit too thick for some people’s liking. You can also use in place of the water if you like a richer flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 48kcal | Fat: 3g | Protein: 4g | Carbohydrates: 1g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Cristina is a Metabolic Effect L3 Nutrition Consultant and a Precision Nutrition L2 Nutrition Coach. Cristina's passion is to help others discover how great their bodies are meant to feel. Whether you're looking to improve your diet, increase energy levels, manage stress, or simply lead a more balanced life, Cristina provides the guidance, support, and tools necessary to make lasting changes. When she isn’t in the kitchen creating nutritious and delicious recipes, or leading one of our Shape-Up Challenges, Cristina enjoys soaking up the sun on the coast of the Carolinas while raising her two amazing daughters, who are active in soccer and volleyball. Cristina is a firm believer that the most effective way to teach children is through our own actions, which is the driving force behind always seeking new ways to enhance personal health and well-being.

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