Homemade Salad Dressings

 

Making my own homemade salad dressings is a high priority in my kitchen these days using the best quality ingredients I can afford to keep on hand.  In my opinion there is not point in preparing a beautiful green salad filled with a variety of nutritious vegetables and then pour an ultra processed chemical laced dressing all over it.  Having a simple dressing mix on hand is a great way to help you whip up a quick batch.

 

Italian Salad Dressing Mix 

1 Tbs. garlic powder                                      1 tsp. dried basil

1 Tbs. onion powder                                      ¼ tsp. celery salt

2 Tbs. oregano                                                1Tbs. salt

1 Tbs. parsley                                                  1 tsp. ground black pepper

 

Place all ingredients in a clean dry half pint jar.  Secure with a lid and shake until well combined.  (I will often double this recipe & I only use half the salt this recipe calls for.)

 

Italian Style Dressing 

¼ cup cider or red wine vinegar

2/3 cup olive oil

2 Tbs. water

2 Tbs. Italian salad dressing mix 

Place ingredients into a pint jar.  Secure with a lid and shake to combine.

 

Creamy Italian Style Dressing 

1 cup whole milk

3/4 cup mayonnaise

2 Tbs. Italian salad dressing mix 

In a small mixing bowl whisk all ingredients thoroughly together.  Pour into a pint jar and secure with a lid.  If mixture is too thick add 1 Tbs. of milk and mix well until you reach desired thickness.

 

1000 Island Dressing 

1 cup whole milk

1 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup ketchup

2 to 3 Tbs. sweet relish

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 

In a small mixing bowl whisk all ingredients thoroughly together.  Pour into a pint jar and secure with a lid.  If mixture is too thick add 1 Tbs. of milk and mix well until you reach desired thickness.

 

I keep this on hand and it works very well

Buttermilk Dressing 

1 cup mayonnaise

1 cup buttermilk

½ cup whole milk

2 Tbs. homemade Italian Salad Dressing mix 

In a small mixing bowl whisk all ingredients together until well blended.  Pour into a pint jar and secure with a lid.

 

Asian Style Vinaigrette 

¼ cup soy sauce                                            1 clove garlic, crushed

¼ cup rice or white vinegar                        2 Tbs. sesame oil

1/2 cup avocado or olive oil                        ¼ tsp. ground ginger

2 tsp. sugar (optional) 

Place ingredients into a pint jar.  Secure with a lid and shake well to combine.

 

Caesar Style Dressing 

¼ cup lemon juice

2/3 cup olive oil

1 clove garlic, crushed

2 tsp. Dijon mustard

¼ cup finely grated parmesan  

Place ingredients into a pint jar.  Secure with a lid and shake to combine.

 

Homemade ketchup

French Style Dressing 

¼ cup apple cider or red wine vinegar

½ cup catsup

1 clove garlic, crushed

2 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce

2/3 cup olive oil 

Place ingredients into a pint jar.  Secure with a lid and shake to combine. 

For a Creamy French Style Dressing substitute 1 cup mayonnaise for the olive oil.  In a small mixing bowl whisk all ingredients together until well blended.  Pour into a pint jar and secure with a lid.

 

All of these dressings, with the exception of the Italian dressing & Asian vinaigrette, need to be refrigerated and will last about two weeks. The French dressing does not need to be refrigerated, however if you decide to make the creamy version you will want to refrigerate it.  I find that using my coffee frother is perfect for mixing the oil based dressings.  It does a good job and is way less messy than shaking.  If you know, you know. 😉