Making Your Own Salad Dressing

Fresh salads deserve fresh dressing. When you make your own salad dressing at home, you control the ingredients, the flavor, and the quality. It is simple, quick, and a great way to avoid the extra sugar, sodium, and preservatives often found in bottled dressings.

A basic homemade salad dressing usually includes three parts: a base, an acid, and something to help bring it all together.

Base
The base is usually an oil. It adds richness, helps carry flavor, and provides satisfying texture. Extra virgin olive oil is a great choice because it adds bold flavor and healthy fats. You can also try avocado oil, flaxseed oil, or hemp oil.

Acid
The acid brightens the dressing and helps balance the richness of the oil. It also brings out the flavor of the other ingredients. Good choices include apple cider vinegar, fresh lemon juice, fresh lime juice, balsamic vinegar, coconut vinegar, brown rice vinegar, or red wine vinegar.

Emulsifier or Thickening Agent
This helps the dressing blend together more smoothly. Dijon mustard is one of the easiest and most flavorful options. Other good choices include tahini, avocado, chia seeds, ground flaxseed, honey, or maple syrup.

A common starting point is 1 part acid to 3 parts oil, although some people prefer a 1 to 2 ratio for a brighter, tangier flavor. From there, you can adjust to your taste.

Add herbs, spices, garlic, or a pinch of salt and pepper to make it your own.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Yield: About 3/4 cup
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup good quality extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 large clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. In a small bowl, add the garlic, oregano, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
2. Whisk vigorously for 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes so the flavors can develop.
4. Add the Dijon mustard and whisk again for about 1 minute.
5. Slowly pour in the olive oil while whisking continuously until the dressing is smooth and combined.
6. Transfer to a jar or dressing shaker and store in the refrigerator.
7. Shake well before each use.

• Taste and adjust before serving. Add a little more acid for brightness or a little more oil for a milder flavor.
• Fresh garlic gives great flavor, but minced shallot also works well.
• For a touch of sweetness, add a small amount of honey or maple syrup.
• Try fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or cilantro for a different twist.

• Lemon Herb Dressing
  Use extra lemon juice and add fresh parsley or basil.

  Balsamic Vinaigrette
  Swap the apple cider vinegar for balsamic vinegar.

  Creamy Tahini Dressing
  Add 1 tablespoon tahini for a thicker, creamier texture.

  Honey Mustard Dressing
  Add 1 to 2 teaspoons honey for a slightly sweet flavor.

Homemade salad dressing is one of the easiest ways to make healthy eating more flavorful and enjoyable. It is fresh, customizable, and made with ingredients you can feel good about.

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