Healthy salad dressing recipes don’t need to be boring! In this collection of 10 salad dressing recipes, you’ll find the zippiest vinaigrettes, most herbaceous green goddess dressing, creamiest dairy-free sauces and more to dress up not just salad, but roasted vegetables, chicken, fish, and beyond.
One of the first things I tell people about the Mediterranean Diet is that we love our salads—even for breakfast! We’re all about adding more fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables to daily life, and making texture and flavor-rich salads you actually want to eat.
But the last thing you want is to drown a beautiful fresh salad in a store-bought dressing, which are often made with low-quality oils, added sugar, and preservatives. That’s why I put together this collection of our best healthy salad dressings with fresh, flavorful ingredients that come together in 10 minutes or less.
You’ll find dressings made with herbs like basil and parsley that add a zesty, fresh punch of flavor, perfect for drizzling over Grilled Salmon and Roasted Asparagus Salad. Vinaigrettes made with fresh lemon juice function as both a salad dressing and a marinade, infusing meat with bright, citrusy flavors, and even creamy dressings. Just to name a few!
So read on to find healthy salad dressing recipes to elevate your weekly dinners, and stock your fridge with flavor-makers to use for dressings, sauces, marinades, and condiments.
Ingredient Spotlight
Olive oil is the foundation of many salad dressings, so choosing one with a pleasant flavor is essential. But even beyond flavor, a high-quality extra virgin olive oil is your healthiest option, as it’s high in antioxidants and healthy fats.
I reach for different oils depending on what I’m making: if I want a peppery kick I go for a robust, full-flavor oil like our Spanish Hojiblanca. If I want something delicate and savory I go for something like our buttery-smooth Italian Nocellara.
Just to name two, but it really depends on my mood! And as you experiment with a variety of olive oils you’ll narrow down your preferences and find the oils that make your healthy salad dressings the most delicious they can be.
- READ MORE: How To Taste Olive Oil: A Step-By-Step Guide To Go From The Basics To The Pros
- TRY IT: Visit Our Olive Oil Shop
Healthy Salad Dressings: Easy Vinaigrettes
A really delicious vinaigrette is one of the handiest things to whip up. You can drizzle it on top of simple salads, of course, but also fish, roasted vegetables, avocado toast, and more.
And while we know vinaigrettes should technically include vinegar, our only “rule” when it comes to a great vinaigrette recipe is that it should be made with whatever simple pantry ingredients you have availa ble. That means we’re all about adding freshly squeezed citrus in place of vinegar, as long as there’s a good balance in flavor.
5-Minute Lemon Vinaigrette Recipe
This all-purpose healthy salad dressing is made in just 5 minutes with only a mixing bowl and a whisk. You’ll love the light, bright, lemony flavor with Dijon mustard’s peppery kick! Use for salads, roasted vegetables, or as a condiment for sandwiches and wraps.
Easy Basil Vinaigrette
After a taste of this vegan basil vinaigrette, you’ll never be tempted by premade dressing again! Fresh basil leaves, shallot, garlic, lime juice, vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil are blended until smooth, resulting in a wonderfully versatile dressing and sauce. It has all of the summery Pesto flavors you love, but in a salad dressing form, perfect for drizzling over Roasted Asparagus Salad or Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers.
Apple Cider Vinaigrette
With just a handful of pantry staples, you can make a homemade apple cider vinaigrette in 5 minutes or less. Apple cider brings a slightly sweet and extra tangy flavor that adds a nice complexity.
Balsamic Vinaigrette
This is my go-to balsamic vinaigrette recipe! Its perfectly balanced sweet and tart flavors pair well with almost any salad or main dish. Like most of my vinaigrette recipes, it’s made in just 5 minutes with a simple whisk or shake. Drizzle it over green salad, beet salad, or Italian Pasta Salad.
Dijon Vinaigrette
This homemade salad dressing is similar to our lemon vinaigrette but with Champagne vinegar replacing the lemon juice for a slightly understated acidity. The bold and peppery flavor of French mustard complements a variety of salads, ranging from simple green salads to Antipasto Salad.
Ladolemono: Greek Salad Dressing
This Greek dressing recipe is often referenced as the backbone of just about every popular Greek recipe. Ladolemono contains 4 key ingredients: lemon juice, olive oil, a healthy dose of fresh garlic, and dried oregano. When combined, they transform into a tangy and aromatic dressing. I love it for adding authentic Greek flavors to fish like our Greek-Style Roasted Branzino, or roasted vegetables like our Roasted Vegetable Salad. But it’s also an endlessly versatile dressing for just about any green salad, particularly if you love a garlicky kick.
Creamy Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes
Who knew creamy dressing could be nutritious? By making simple swaps, like using Greek yogurt or tahini instead of mayo, you can keep the richness of the dressing while using more wholesome ingredients. Here are my favorite creamy salad dressing recipes that are still light and healthy:
Vegan Green Goddess Dressing with Tahini
This easy 5-minute creamy dressing is vegan, gluten-free, and just as delicious as it is nutritious! Sesame tahini paste provides a creamy texture, while fresh parsley, cilantro, and dill add herby, zesty flavor. This versatile sauce can be used in a variety of ways, ranging from salads to crudités platters and salmon to lamb. You simply can’t go wrong!
Creamy Feta Dressing (5 Ingredients!)
Skip the heavy, mayo-based dressings, and opt for this high-protein Greek yogurt and feta dressing instead. It’s similar in flavor to my Whipped Feta Dip but is perfect for drizzling over salads, fish, chicken, and Roasted Broccoli. Simply add all the ingredients to a blender or food processor, and give it a quick spin. You won’t be able to get enough of the tangy, lemony flavor!
Easy Tzatziki Sauce
This creamy Greek yogurt sauce is a staple in Greek cuisine, made with fresh cucumber, garlic, and dill. Make this tangy sauce in just 10 minutes, and serve it as part of a mezze spread, drizzled over gyros, or as a dip for fries and veggies. To use it as dressing, just thin it with a little bit of water until you reach your desired consistency.
Tahini Sauce
Tahini is a staple in Middle Eastern cooking and for good reason—this simple paste made from crushed sesame seeds adds a creamy texture and nutty flavor to any recipe. I use it most often when I make this Cucumber Tomato Tahini Salad recipe, but really a drizzle of tahini elevates almost any dish!
More Recipe Roundups
Mediterranean Diet Recipes
50+ Top Mediterranean Diet Recipes
Recipe Roundups
30+ Top Mediterranean Recipes of the Year!
Mediterranean Diet
Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan for Beginners
Browse all Mediterranean recipes.
Visit Our Shop.
Mediterranean Diet Starter Kit
Stock your pantry with the essentials to eat the Mediterranean way, including Greek olive oil, 7 spices, and tahini.
Viewedyour site and am interested for your emails
Wonderful! You can click here to sign up!
I love your recipes and how you make it easy to do! Keep up the good work
Thanks so much for the sweet note, Matilde!