20 Essential Salad Dressings

Classic Vinaigrettes

1. Simple Lemon
Makes 1/2 cup
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp sugar
6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
Black pepper

2. Classic Balsamic Vinegar
Makes 1/2 cup
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp brown sugar
6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
Black pepper

3. Zesty Sherry Vinaigrette
Makes 1/2 cup
1 1/2 tbsp sherry vinegar
Zest of half a lemon
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp caster sugar
1 garlic clove, crushed
Salt and pepper

4. Alton Brown’s Fat Free Honey Mustard Dressing
Makes 2/3 cup
5 tbsp honey
3 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp rice wine vinegar*
*Make sure you use rice wine vinegar, not rice vinegar

5. Mustard Vinaigrette
Makes 1/3 cup
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp honey
2 tbsp white vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1 garlic clove, minced

6. Red Wine Vinaigrette
Makes 1/3 cup
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp sugar (or honey)
1/2 tsp salt
Black pepper

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7. French Vinaigrette
Makes 1/2 cup
1 garlic clove, crushed
2 tbsp white wine, sherry or red wine vinegar
2 tsp dijon mustard
6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp sea salt
Black pepper

8. Greek Salad Dressing
Makes 1/2 cup
2 tbsp lemon juice
6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp salt
Black pepper

9. Italian Dressing
Makes 1/2 cup
1/3 cup olive oil
3 1/2 tbsp vinegar (any)
1 garlic clove, minced
1 1/2 tsp fresh or dried herbs: oregano, parsley, basil*
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese (or other hard cheese)*
*Optional

10. Asian Style Dressing
Makes 1/3 cup
2 tbsp light soy sauce
2 tbsp rice wine vinegar^
1 ½ tsp sugar
1 tbsp grapeseed oil (or any other neutral oil)
1 garlic clove, minced
1 birds eye chilli, finely minced*
*Optional
^Make sure you use rice wine vinegar, or rice vinegar NOT rice wine (which has alcohol in it!)

11. Thai
Makes 3/4 cup
2 tbsp fish sauce
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp rice vinegar
6 tbsp lime juice
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 fresh red birds eye chilli, seeded and finely minced

12. Green Goddess Dressing
Makes about 3/4 cup.
1/4 cup good mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves (loosely packed)
1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar
1 garlic clove, crushed
4 anchovy fillets
Salt and pepper to taste
Blend until smooth. Optional: strain to make it ultra smooth.

13. Classic Coleslaw
Makes 1/2 cup
1/4 cup mayonnaise, preferably whole egg
1/4 cup sour cream or plain greek yoghurt
2 tbsp white vinegar
1 tsp mustard powder
1/2 tsp sugar
1/4 – 1/2 tsp salt
Black pepper

14. Classic Potato Salad
Makes 2/3 cups
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sour cream
1 tbsp horseradish cream* (or horseradish relish)
Salt and pepper
*Optional

15. Caesar Salad
Makes 1 1/2 cups
1 garlic clove, minced
2 anchovy fillets, very finely minced
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 cup mayonnaise, preferably whole egg
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Milk, to adjust consistency
1/4 tsp salt
Black pepper
Blend until smooth.

16. Creamy Honey Mustard Dressing
Makes 1/3 cup
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp honey
1/2 tbsp lemon juice

17. Ranch Dressing
Makes 2 cups
3/4 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup sour cream
1/3 cup buttermilk*
1 tbsp lemon juice (or vinegar)
1 small garlic clove (or half of 1 large clove), minced
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp finely chopped fresh chives, mint, and/or Italian parsley
1/2 tsp salt
Black pepper
* If you don’t have buttermilk just add 1/2 tsp to 2 tbsp milk

18. Thousand Island Dressing
Makes 3/4 cup
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp tomato ketchup
1 tbsp white vinegar
2 tsp sugar
2 tsp sweet pickle relish
1 tsp white onion, finely minced
1/8 tsp salt
Black pepper

19. Blue Cheese Dressing
Makes 1 cup
100g/3.5oz blue cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice or white wine vinegar
1/4 tsp salt
Black pepper

20. Feta Dressing
Makes 3/4 cups
100g/3.5oz feta cheese
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup milk (or water)
1 tsp finely-chopped fresh oregano (or thyme)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Mash feta with olive oil and lemon juice until fairly smooth. Add other ingredients and mix until smooth. Season to taste – different types of feta have different saltiness. Adjust consistency as required with milk or water.