Five creamy Yogurt Salad Dressings made with NO MAYONNAISE! These healthier creamy salad dressings taste so good, you might ditch that jar of mayo for good.
Choose from an all purpose Lemon Yogurt Dressing, a No Mayo Potato Salad Dressing, a flavour packed healthier Yogurt Caesar Salad Dressing, Yogurt Ranch Dressing AND a wickedly creamy oil-free Honey Mustard Dressing! Brought to you in partnership with Farmers Union Greek-style Yogurt.
Today, I’m sharing my favourite Yogurt Salad Dressing recipes that I use in place of popular mayo based salad dressings.
There will always be occasions that call for a grand classic Potato Salad or everyone’s favourite Coleslaw, in all it’s mayo-loaded glory! But in these parts, especially with my group of friends, non-mayo salad options are in high demand.
So over the years, I’ve built up an arsenal of creamy yogurt based salad dressings and it’s high time I shared. Here’s my top 5:
1. Creamy Lemon Yogurt Salad Dressing – all purpose beauty!
2. Yogurt Potato Salad Dressing – I love the little pops of mustard seeds in this.
3. Oil Free Honey Mustard Dressing – take my favourite Honey Mustard Dressing and switch all the oil with yogurt = same creamy lusciousness with less guilt!
4. Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing – another all purpose beauty (because I use this on everything).
5. Healthier Yogurt Caesar Dressing – this packs a serious flavour punch, just like the classic Caesar Salad Dressing.
The essential base ingredient for all these dressings is THIS – a good thick Greek yogurt. My choice: Farmers Union Greek-Style Yogurt. Always has been, for as long as I can remember.
Here’s a rundown on each of the dressings and what to use them for.
1. Creamy Lemon Yogurt Salad Dressing (The All Rounder)
This is my all purpose yogurt dressing, the one I use for any salad whether it’s a simple garden salad, a full loaded chicken salad, a pasta salad (like classic Macaroni Salad), Creamy Broccoli Salad or Coleslaw. It’s made with Greek yogurt, olive oil, garlic, and a nice hit of freshness from lemon.
2. Healthier Yogurt Potato Salad Dressing
A fabulously creamy, flavour loaded potato salad dressing made without mayonnaise IS possible! Made with Greek yogurt, a good dose of both Dijon and wholegrain mustard, plus a nice hit of fresh herbs, any potato salad tossed with this Yogurt Potato Salad Dressing is terrific on the day but is even BETTER the next day…. Just use this Potato Salad recipe and switch the dressing for this one!
3. Oil-Free Honey Mustard Dressing
The classic Honey Mustard Dressing is made with equal parts honey, mustard, vinegar and oil. When you give it a big shake, the oil emulsifies with the other ingredients so you end up with a beautiful creamy dressing.
In this healthier version, the oil is switched for yogurt. It’s just as creamy and luscious and indulgent tasting, with far lower calories. It’s a winner!
4. Healthier Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing
A healthier version of America’s most popular salad dressing! Usually made with mayonnaise and buttermilk, this healthier Ranch Dressing is made with Greek Yogurt and olive oil, plus a good dose of Ranch Dressing seasonings.
Ranch Dressing is so good, I use it as an all purpose dressing for anything that usually calls for a creamy dressing, from garden salads to pasta salads and corn salad.
But my favourite is to use it for what I call a SouthWest Salad, pictured below. Lettuce, cherry tomatoes, corn, black beans, red onion, optional chicken and bacon, drizzled with this Yogurt Ranch Dressing. It’s so good!!
5. Healthier Yogurt Caesar Dressing
If you have it in your head that yogurt dressings are bland, try this healthier Yogurt Caesar Salad Dressing. It will knock your socks off! It’s SO GOOD it really makes me question why I should ever make the mayo version again! Use this classic Caesar Salad recipe (optional chicken) with this healthier Yogurt Caesar Dressing.
THESE ARE VERY, VERY GOOD
“Healthy” has a bad reputation for meaning “bland”. There’s no denying that when you strip fat out of salad dressings, you lose a certain element of creaminess on your palette as you munch through a pile of crunchy greens.
But by using a good, thick yogurt in place of mayonnaise and adjusting seasonings to compensate for the loss of fat in the dressings, you can still make very, very good creamy dressings that you can use generously on your salads. I use these dressings far more frequently in day to day life than I do mayonnaise based ones.
I’d really love to know what you think if you try any of them! – Nagi x
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
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Healthier Creamy Yogurt Salad Dressings
Ingredients
Creamy Lemon Yogurt Salad Dressing:
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt , preferably Greek
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp garlic , minced
- 1 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
Yogurt Ranch Dressing:
- 1 cup plain yogurt , preferably Greek
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small garlic clove , minced
- 1/4 tsp EACH dried dill, parsley, chives, garlic powder, black pepper
- 1/2 tsp EACH onion powder, mustard powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp white sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
Yogurt Potato Salad Dressing:
- 1 cup plain yogurt , preferably Greek
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp milk
- 2 tbsp wholegrain mustard
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 2 tsp white sugar
- 1/4 cup fresh chives , finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder, onion powder
Oil-Free Honey Mustard Dressing:
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt , preferably Greek
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 1/2 tbsp cider vinegar
- 1/4 tsp EACH garlic powder, salt and pepper
Yogurt Caesar Salad Dressing:
- 1 cup plain yogurt , preferably Greek
- 1/2 garlic clove , minced
- 2 anchovy fillets or 3/4 tsp Anchovy paste (Note 2)
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp white sugar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 – 4 tbsp milk (adjust consistency)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
All Dressings except Caesar:
- Mix ingredients in a bowl. Set aside for 30 minutes+ to allow flavours to develop.
- Use milk to adjust to desired consistency.
Caesar Salad Dressing:
- Blitz in a food processor until smooth. Use milk to adjust consistency.
Recipe Notes:
2. Ranch: Great all rounder, use for leafy greens, garden salads, SouthWest Salad (Note 3), Creamy Broccoli Salad, Macaroni Salad, drizzle over iceberg wedges.
3. Potato Salad Dressing: For potato salad.
4. Honey Mustard Dressing: Use for leafy greens, garden salads, a chicken saladlike this one, would also be great with this Roast Sweet Potato Salad.
5. Caesar Salad: For Caesar salad – chicken is optional. Also terrific to dipping in crisp lettuce leaves and vegetable sticks. Would also be terrific on this Mexican Corn Salad.
1. Yogurt – I use Farmers Union Greek-style Yogurt (available widely in Australia). Plain yogurt will work fine too. Just ensure it’s a good thick one. Low fat will also work but cut back on the sour (vinegar) in the dressings (as low fat yogurt is more sour than full fat) 2. Anchovy fillets are key to achieve a true restaurant quality flavour for Caesar Salad. You can’t taste it, it’s the salt for the dressing. Use the dark brown anchovy fillets in oil , not the white anchovy fillets that are brined in vinegar, not oil. Substitutions: If you really prefer not to use anchovies, 1 tsp of fish sauce will be an adequate substitute. If you’re allergic to fish, use 1 tsp light or all purpose soy sauce. 3. Storage – These dressings keep for 3 days in the fridge, best to take them out 30 minutes prior to using.
LIFE OF DOZER
He spends a lot of time doing this.
I spend a lot of time vacuuming that darn rug. It fills my entire Dyson, every time!!
PS Yes, his Modesty Daisy will always be present when he’s splaying it all out like that. 😂
Today’s recipe is brought to you courtesy of Farmers Union. I’ve used their Greek style natural yogurt for as long as I can remember. So it was a no brainer when they asked if I’d create a recipe for them!!
Hi Nagi, I’ve only just recently come across your website and I’m loving your recipes!
I want to cook your Healthier Caesar Salad but I’m counting calories (eating healthier to loss weight). I would like to know if you could publish the Calories for the Caesar please? ☺️
Yummy Caesar dressing but lots left over. Can it be frozen?
I made the yoghurt Caesar dressing yesterday, sadly, I had no anchovies just added extra 1/2 tsp of garlic. So delicious. Many thanks Nagi you are my number 1 recipe site.
Creamy lemon yogurt dressing is my favorite, simple and fast to prepare, thank you..
Just did the honey mustard – perfect! Not too tart! Already bookmarked for later!
That’s great to hear Mizz, thanks so much! N x
We whipped up the yoghurt version of the Caesar Salad Dressing last night & it was sensational. We served it with stuffed mushrooms so tonight we will have the grilled chicken version. 🤣🤣✋
Hi Nagi. I use your recipes everyday. Everyone is impressed, only wish I could take credit. Thanks for the suggestions for use as I have tried every salad mentioned – of which I love all.
That’s great to hear Michelle, I’m so glad you love them all! N x
Hi Nagi, from Canada,
I haven’t tried any of these yet! But supper is being planned with one of these yummy dressings.
I love your recipes!!
Stay safe,
HT
That’s great to hear Heather! N x
I’m going to try the yogurt one today for a potato salad. They look so easy to make. Thank you Nagi.
They are so easy – and healthier! N x
Hi Nagi,
Just made the caesar dressing with 0% fat yogurt.
It is delicious.
Who knew??!!
Thank you
You’re totally converted now – think of all the options!!! N x
Nagi, you are amazing! I am pregnant, so I can’t eat Mayo, but I love Caesar Salad. I prepared your Mayo Dressing for my husband and this yogurt version for myself. Both are absolutely delicious (I had a little little little spoon of the mayo one), but I actually liked this yogurt version even more. Anyways, thank you so much for your effort and the great recipes! Lots of thanks and love from Turkey:)
That’s great to hear Isabella!! If you’re using a store bought mayo, you’ll find a lot don’t contain raw egg so are safe to consume. 🙂 N x
Hi could you please publish the calories for these? they look amazing but I’m counting calories and I’d really like to know. Thanks
Hi Nagi, and Happy New Year! Another year Of amazing and inspiring recipes, I’m drooling already 😝
Aside from the awesome dressings in this post, what had me most excited was the photos of your ‘Southwest Salad’.
You list what goes in it but I couldn’t find and actual recipe posted for it?
I love some of the US style salads, Cobb being another… which your Ranch dressing will be perfect for. Yum yum!
Hi Matty, I haven’t posted this yet! Thanks for picking this up! – N x
I made the ranch, honey mustard, and the Cesar. All three were absolutely delicious. I always bought yogurt based dressing from the store and it gets expensive. I will be making these instead.
Yes, so much cheaper to make your own (and you know exactly what’s in it!) – N x
Hi! I just made the creamy lemon yogurt salad dressing to top a mixed green salad. It was deeeelicious! My husband loved it also. The sugar really balanced the flavors. Next will be the yogurt ranch dressing.. cannot wait to try more.
How good are they Mo! I know you’ll love the ranch, I make it regularly! – N x
Hi Nagi, I made the creamy lemon dressing to go with a chicken rice salad: brown rice & quinoa mix, woollies cooked chook shredded, quartered cherry tomatoes, rocket layered/mix with the plenty of dressing; dressing gave it a refreshing lift, yummo!!!!
Hi Nagi, have made a few of your recipes. The potato yoghurt dressing is super. I have posted this onto My Mediterranean diet group so the girls and boys can see your ideas for a healthy dressing. I am looking forward to my Potato salad tonight.
Wahoo, that’s great Pamela! ❤️
OMG Nagi made your oil free honey mustard dressing it was insane!! shared it at lunch with full credit to you… can’t wait to make the others with yoghurt
WAHOO! That’s great to hear Kym ❤️
Hey! Love the receipes! As a student with a budget trying to eat healthy this are great options! Just a question if I make a big portion, how long do you think is gonna last in the Fridge?
Hi Rebecca, I talk about this in the recipe notes – N x
Yum yum yum, I just made your honey mustard dressing. Great addition to my salad, can’t wait to try the other dressings. Absolute winner Nagi. What would I do without you?
I’m so happy you loved it!