Indulge in a flavorful lunch by elevating your salad game with these 20 homemade vinaigrette recipes. There’s something special about crafting your own dressing from scratch – perhaps it’s the precise control over ingredients or the satisfaction of creating something unique. Whatever the reason, homemade vinaigrettes are unparalleled, outshining store-bought alternatives with their vibrant flavors and textures.
This curated selection showcases a diverse range of options, from sweet and tangy to spicy and creamy, catering to any taste bud craving. Whether you’re in the mood for something classic or adventurous, this list is designed to provide inspiration for your next salad creation.
Fresh Mint Vinaigrette
This revitalizing five-minute vinaigrette combines an invigorating minty flavor with subtle undertones of sweetness and tanginess, making it the ultimate accompaniment for any summer salad. Despite its bold zesty notes, the finish leaves a refreshing tingle that’s unparalleled among most vinaigrettes.
Creamy Avocado Vinaigrette
Indulge in a creamy, dreamy, and scrumptious green vinaigrette that’s as good for you as it is delicious! This recipe combines just five ingredients to create a zesty and refreshing dressing that’s perfect for salad enthusiasts. The best part? It only takes 5 minutes to prepare, making it an ideal addition to your busy schedule. While the avocado adds a rich and creamy texture, the tartness of the other primary ingredients provides a delightful contrast.
So if you’re a fan of bold flavors, this vinaigrette is sure to become a new favorite. However, if you’re not a fan of zestiness, this one might not be for you.
Strawberry Lime Vinaigrette
While the appearance of this vibrant pink vinaigrette may be reminiscent of a smoothie rather than a traditional salad dressing, its bold, sweet, and savory flavor profile is unmistakably that of a vinaigrette. This distinctive taste perfectly complements the fresh flavors of summer salads, making it an excellent choice for warm-weather meals. When paired with juicy steak strips, this vinaigrette really shines, elevating the overall dining experience with its rich and savory notes.
Maple Vinaigrette
This golden vinaigrette strikes the perfect harmony between sweet and savory notes, with maple syrup serving as its rich foundation. The tangy elements subtly elevate the flavor without overpowering it. Although it employs more ingredients than some other options, its preparation requires only 5 minutes of your time. What’s more, this versatile dressing excels on a wide range of salads – from classic mixed greens to fruit-infused summer creations.
Clementine Vinaigrette
While clementine vinaigrette is characterized by its sweet and citrusy profile, a subtle hint of tarragon adds depth and complexity to the flavor. Not typically a fan of this herb, I find its pungent nature can overpower other notes in a dish. However, the judicious use of just one-fourth of a teaspoon in this recipe ensures that tarragon’s distinctive licorice undertones complement rather than overwhelm the dressing.
BEST Balsamic Vinaigrette
While I’m generally wary of claims that something is the ‘best’, this condiment has earned an exception in my book. The harmonious balance of vinegar and oil is a masterclass in flavor coordination, with tangy and sweet notes complementing each other beautifully. Moreover, the consistency hits the sweet spot – neither too thick nor too runny – making it a joy to use. Given these exceptional qualities, I’m confident that most people will find something to love about this condiment.
Sesame Ginger Dressing
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of this recipe, which will tantalize your taste buds with its perfect balance of freshness and spice. With an unmistakable Asian twist, this condiment is adaptable to a variety of dishes, yet shines particularly well when paired with the crunch of cabbage-heavy salads.
Sunshine Salad Dressing
Sunshine Salad Dressing is an irresistible condiment with its cheerful name. This creamy concoction doesn’t disappoint, boasting a bright and zesty flavor profile. The foundation of the dressing is made up of Greek yogurt, honey, and Dijon mustard, resulting in a richly sweet and tangy taste experience. A hint of earthy warmth comes from the garlic and pepper, adding depth to the overall flavor.
What’s more, this dressing is a healthy choice, with a low-calorie, low-fat, and relatively low-carb count (5.1 grams per serving).
Lemon Vinaigrette
For those who prefer a tangier vinaigrette, this recipe is a must-try. Its intense yellow hue mirrors its bold and zesty flavor profile, which is sure to tantalize your taste buds. This dressing shines brightest on salads, but its versatility doesn’t stop there – it’s equally impressive when drizzled over roasted vegetables or used as a marinade for meat (it’s particularly stunning on fish).
Creamy Greek Yogurt Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
This zesty dressing is deceptively quick to prepare, requiring a mere 2-3 minutes of actual hands-on time – significantly faster than the advertised 5-minute prep time. The result is a rich, velvety sauce that expertly balances sweet and tangy notes. While it’s a natural fit for salads, its versatility knows no bounds; feel free to experiment with it as a marinade, dip, or even a topping for your favorite dishes.
Blue Cheese Vinaigrette
Blue cheese vinaigrette’s understated appearance belies its bold and complex flavor profile. The pungency of blue cheese is expertly balanced by a trifecta of savory elements: garlic, Tabasco, and pepper. While the latter primarily contributes a rich depth rather than intense heat, a subtle kick is still present. Though not visually striking, this vinaigrette more than makes up for its aesthetic shortcomings with its delectable taste.
Chili Lime Vinaigrette
While you may be seeking something with intense heat, I’ve got a solution that still packs a punch without setting your mouth ablaze. This chili lime vinaigrette has just the right amount of spice from the cayenne pepper – only one-fourth teaspoon is needed to add a noticeable kick. Feel free to adjust the heat level to suit your taste buds.
The robust flavors from the other herbs and seasonings take this vinaigrette to the next level, making it suitable for use not just as a condiment, but also as a marinade for meats or even a tangy topping similar to salsa.
Italian Vinaigrette
If you’re a fan of Olive Garden’s signature creamy and tangy salad dressing, you’ll likely find this recipe to your taste. The creator claims their version is an improvement over the original, but honestly, I couldn’t detect any significant differences. If you’re craving that zesty flavor, give this one a try and see if it satisfies your cravings – perhaps even better than Olive Garden’s own offering.
Lemon Garlic Dijon Vinaigrette
This citrusy vinaigrette’s name is a dead giveaway about its flavor profile – it’s a burst of bright, zesty goodness with a hint of rich Dijon mustard depth lurking beneath. What’s more, this 6-ingredient marvel can be whipped up in just 5 minutes flat, making it the perfect condiment for any salad you fancy. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic green salad or something more adventurous, this versatile vinaigrette is sure to please.
Orange Vinaigrette
Another delightful addition to your salad repertoire is this citrusy dressing that combines the zestiness of orange and lemon with a hint of tanginess from red wine vinegar. While it may initially seem overwhelmingly tart, the shallots, garlic, and Dijon mustard work together to balance out the flavors, resulting in a harmonious taste experience that pairs exquisitely with all-veggie salads or fruit and veggie combinations.
Garlic & Herb Vinaigrette Dressing
While not my personal preference when it comes to consistency, the undeniable flavor profile of this dressing makes its slightly oily texture a forgivable flaw. The earthy and herbaceous notes are a masterclass in balance, with a medley of seasonings and herbs that I’ve grown to love over time. Garlic, basil, oregano, parsley, black pepper, and more all come together to create a rich tapestry of flavors that truly elevates this dressing.
Citrus-Lime Vinaigrette
This zesty Mexican-inspired vinaigrette combines bold flavors with a tangy twist. The spicy kick from jalapenos is expertly balanced by the brightness of lime and the freshness of cilantro. A squeeze of orange juice adds a hint of warmth without overpowering the other ingredients. While its name suggests a strong citrus presence, the dressing ultimately has a savory profile with a subtle orange undertone, making it perfect for adding a dash of heat to your salad.
Red Wine Vinaigrette
While red wine vinaigrette is a classic favorite among many, this light and zesty version offers a fresher twist. With its bright, citrusy flavors, it’s a cinch to create at home using simple ingredients. For those familiar with store-bought varieties, you’ll find that the homemade version shares a similar taste profile. Yet, by substituting fresh components for processed ones, this recipe delivers a crisper, more revitalizing flavor experience.
If you prefer a milder vinaigrette, feel free to adjust the tartness by adding honey in small increments until it reaches your desired level of sweetness.
Cilantro Lime Dressing
One more mouthwatering option to consider is a citrusy salsa that will transport you straight to the heart of Mexico. Its vibrant green hue and zesty flavor profile are simply irresistible, offering a sweet, tangy, and zestful experience in every bite. While it may not be suitable for every salad creation, this flavorful condiment truly shines when paired with a taco salad or other Mexican-inspired dishes.
Raspberry Vinaigrette
While the store-bought version is hard to beat, this homemade alternative comes remarkably close in terms of taste. The perfect harmony of sweetness and tartness makes it an excellent choice for fruit-filled summer salads, where its vibrant red hue adds a pop of color. It’s also delicious on garden-fresh mixes, particularly when paired with crunchy walnuts that add a satisfying texture.
I’m Louise Cutler, a food lover who enjoys creating simple, flavorful recipes that anyone can make and share at home.
