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!!
Glory be – these recipes got picked out quick smart and pinned on my kitchen board ! Have not has a jar of mayo in the house for a couple of decades for health reasons and now, when forced to taste occasionally, don’t like the consistency or flavour. Yep, use yoghurt as a few others: instead of mayo, cream and sour cream . . and, being a ‘Sydneysider’, Farmers Union Greek has been my bestest friend for years also . . . must try your Ranch and Caesar I normally avoid. As for Dozer: for goodness sakes, let him show his masculinity off – doing what comes naturally !
Ha ha…match your décor to your pets…priorities after all!
According to Jonny Bowden (author of The Great Cholesterol Myth and other books) fat is not the problem, but rather the type of fat and I agree. It’s the type of fats in commercial mayonnaise and the additives and preservatives I object to. So it’s great to have some alternative creamy dressings to use on salads and so glad you used Farmer’s Union yoghurt. We love that stuff and always have a large tub or two on hand. I use it in place of cream and sour cream in recipes or to make froyos, overnight oats, smoothies or just have with berries and other fruits. We’ve tried many other yoghurts but they just don’t cut it in our books. I well remember the days of dog hair everywhere 😝 when my little fur baby was alive. Good on you for preserving Dozer’s dignity, Nagi 😂 and thanks for the recipes.
Hi Nagi,
what amazing timing. I’m making an Ocean Trout & Potato Salad for dinner tonight and your Creamy Lemon Yogurt Salad Dressing or Yoghurt Potato Salad Dressing will be perfect. I prefer yoghurt based dressings but the family feels “cheated’ if I don’t use mayo. I’ll wait for their feedback and then tell them I used yoghurt.
Thanks for the great recipes. I now have a few more ways to use the lovely home-made Greek Yoghurt I’ve been making.
Cheers, Maria from Adelaide.
Oh these salad dressings look so yummy! We always keep Greek yogurt in the house so these recipes will be perfect. Can’t wait to try them.
Hahaha……..I am still laughing at Dozer’s “modesty daisy”.
😂😂😂😂 And the only reason why it’s a daisy is because it’s one of the default shapes in photoshop! I don’t know how to do anything fancier! 😂 N x
IT’S LIKE YOU READ MY MIND!!! I was looking for a mayo-less potato salad – and here you are!!!!! Thank yoiu Nagi!
I like it when I can read people’s minds…. 😂😂😂 Wish I could do it more often!!!
Thanks for my morning smile..keeping LUCA no matter what xo💕🐕
Hi Nagi! I love the sound of all these dressings! Especially the fact that you know what is in them and they are full of ingredients I can’t even pronounce. I’ll just have to make them when the “yogurt hater” isn’t looking 🙂
HELLLOOOOOOO Dorothy!!! Now why are you looking at YOGURT dressings 3 days out from Thanksgiving?? 🤔🤔🤔🤔
Hmmm, I assume that weird toy is in Dozer’s mouth…otherwise I am flummoxed! Are we never to see the little man in “delicto flagrante”? Really, I’ve had dogs for years and never been offended by their “parts”! But, then, blog goes world-wide and I guess some people are “sensitive”!
Thanks for the dressing alternatives. So many! I will be trying them all.
BA HA HA!!! Yes it’s one of his fluffy toys – a partridge actually. Because – I’m told – retrievers were created to fetch them when hunters shot them down. Which Dozer would do willingly – except you’d never get the bird back. He’d eat it raw – for SURE
Hi Nagi
Hope you had an awesome weekend.
Lovely lovely salad dressings and yes healthy!
As for Dozer, he’s all yours hun 😂😂
Enjoy your Tuesday. Hugs ..😊
It was actually very relaxing! How was yours Gail?? Glad you like these dressings! N x
Thank you for all your recipes Nagi!! I truly enjoy them all and doing your Turkey Breast -slow cooker recipe
for this Thanksgiving. I wasn’t going to cook as I have TRIED to pass the Holidays to the kids but they just
won’t “pick” up!!
Love Dozer’s pics as well as all the great photography you do.
“I have TRIED to pass the Holidays to the kids but they just won’t “pick” up!!” <---- GOLD!!!! Certainly wouldn't have that problem in my family, we SULK when we don't get to do the "star" dishes at holiday occasions! 😂
These dressings were just what I eas looking for! Perect!
Love it when I can read people’s minds! 😂
All the 5 dressings looks and sounds amazing.. So eagar to try them all.. Love it!!
Thank you for the compliment Arpita! N x
Not tried your dressing recipes yet (it’s an hours drive to the shops here!) but I most definitely will try them, as I agree 100% – Farmers Union is THE best Greek yoghurt on the planet. And that’s no bull 🙂 It’s even better than real Greek yoghurt IMHO.
“no bull”… Aussie through and through 🙂 Where are you based Gypsy?? N x
I love your recipes and reading about and seeing pictures of Dozer! Thank you!! I can’t eat dairy and use a coconut yogurt that isn’t thick at all. Do you think it will still work or do you have any suggestions for helping the dressing be thicker? Thanks, again!
Hi Lisa! I’ve had coconut yoghurt so I know the consistency 🙂 I think it’s actually perfect because you might not need any milk to thin the consistency! N x
Yummy recipes Nagi!💕👍
In a strange way Luca and Dozer are related. Luca rolls around just like Dozer and Luca has chocolate brown fur and HE rolls around on our light beige carpet and SHEDS 😈
Ha! You need to do what I did and get a rug to match his fur! That way you can be in denial until cleaning day 😂
Get a dark carpet…keep Luca!
Practical and efficient! 😂