Summertime Dressings!

Raspberry Poppy Seed Dressing

  • 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
  • 3 Tbsp. raspberry jam
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup, plus two Tbsp. red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp. honey mustard
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 Tbsp. poppy seeds

Directions
Combine onion, jam, sugar, vinegar, mustard and salt in a blender or food processor. Blend the ingredients until they’re well-combined. Add the vegetable oil to the mixture a little at a time, blending after each addition. Transfer the dressing into an airtight jar, then spoon in the poppy seeds. Seal the jar and shake well to mix the seeds into the dressing. Store the dressing in the fridge and shake well before each use.

Chipotle Ranch Dressing

1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (or can sub apple cider vinegar)

1/2 teaspoon dried dill

1/4 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste

3/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder, or sub a few dashes of chipotle tabasco hot sauce

2 tablespoons water to thin dressing

Italian Dressing

    • 6 tablespoons olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
    • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
    • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
    • 1 teaspoon dried basil, crumbled
    • 1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
    • Pinch of dried oregano
    • Makes about 1/2 cup

Creamy Lime Cilantro Dressing

  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (I use non-fat)
  • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise (I use low-fat)
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest
  • 3 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded for less heat
  • 1/2 cup packed cilantro leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Combine all ingredients in a blender or immersion blend. Blend until smooth. Done!
  2. Use or refrigerate immediately.
  3. Serves 1/2 cup.

Greek Dressing

  • ¼ cup red wine vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

The most common dressings for a Greek salad are olive oil or vinaigrette. While these dressings are high in fat, much of it is beneficial unsaturated fat, which might reduce your risk of heart disease and high cholesterol, and might also help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Drizzle a teaspoon of olive oil or low-fat vinaigrette over your Greek salad to add some flavor without significantly increasing the calorie and fat count of your meal.

3 Benefits Of Homemade Salad Dressing

1. It’s more affordable
One bottle of pre-made salad dressing probably won’t break the bank, but you can save a few bucks by making your own.  Products like vinegar, honey and garlic can be used to make a ton of unique and tasty dressings, so keep them stocked in your pantry!

2. Homemade dressings are healthier
Another major benefit of homemade dressings is that they’re free of preservatives, added sugars and artificial flavorings. Many store-bought dressings are high in calories, saturated fats, sodium and sugar. Your body will thank you to pick a homemade recipe that eliminates these bad ingredients and use fresh, nutritional items instead.

3. The varieties are endless
If you’re tired of the same old ranch, Italian and Caesar dressings, you can spice up your next salad with the wide array of homemade varieties. There are so many different recipes available online, from avocado citrus dressing to mango cilantro vinaigrette. The sky’s the limit when it comes to homemade dressings, so give your taste buds something to get excited about.