Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes

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.

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: Browse all Mediterranean recipes.