5 Quick & Simple Salad Dressings
15
Apr
5 Quick & Simple Salad Dressings

From a main course packed with leafy greens and fruits and veggies to a light side dish topped with a tangy vinaigrette, the best thing about salad is you can make it whatever you want it to be and dress it however you like!

Vinaigrettes, the easiest salad dressing to whip up, typically consist of an acid (vinegar or citrus juice) and an oil (olive oil, avocado oil, or sunflower oil) whisked together and seasoned with sea salt and pepper. Make it a creamy dressing with a yogurt, sour cream, or mayo base.

Read on for a few simple salad dressings to dress up your next salad — ready in just a few minutes!
 

Easy Caesar Dressing

 
Although its origin story varies, this creamy classic has made an appearance on menus across North America for nearly a hundred years. In this version, we skip the anchovies and the eggs for a quick, easy-to-make take on classic Caesar dressing.

Chef’s Tip: When preparing garlic, use the flat edge of your knife to crush the outer shell and release the clove. You can fine-mince your garlic, or better yet, use a zester and grate the clove for a more integrated flavour.

 

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup of mayo
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp Tabasco
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper

 
Steps:

  • Prepare your mise en place by mincing the garlic and juicing the lemon (you can also use bottled lemon juice).
  • In a bowl, combine the mayo, garlic, Worcestershire, Tabasco, and parmesan cheese.
  • Slowly fold in the extra virgin olive oil until well combined.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.

 

 

Find it on your selection page:

Goodfood extra virgin olive oil and sea salt

 

Classic Dijon Vinaigrette

 
Smooth and tangy, this classic dijon vinaigrette comes together in just a few whisks and a handful of ingredients! This simple salad dressing pairs well with just about any type of lettuce and veggie, especially flavourful leafy greens like arugula.

Chef’s Tip: For an even blend, slowly whisk in your oil. This also helps control how much oil ends up in your dressing, as you might not want as much as a recipe calls for (depending on your tastes).

 

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 3 tsp red wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil
  • Salt and pepper

 
Steps:

  • In a bowl, combine the Dijon mustard and red wine vinegar.
  • Slowly whisk in avocado oil until well combined.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.

 

 

Find it on your selection page:

Goodfood Dijon mustard and gourmet avocado oil

 

Toasted Sesame Vinaigrette

 
A little bit of sesame oil goes a long way and brings a simple salad to a whole new level. This easy mix features flavours popular in Asian cuisine, like sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, and ginger.

Chef’s Tip: To round out the acid in your dressing, try adding something sweet. Most recipes call for sugar or honey, but you can experiment with molasses, agave nectar, or maple syrup!

 

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

  • 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp maple syrup
  • Salt and pepper
  • (Optional) Fresh ginger to taste

 
Steps:

  • In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, and toasted sesame oil.
  • Slowly whisk in the extra virgin olive oil until thoroughly combined.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • (Optional) Grate in fresh ginger to taste.

 

 

Find it on your selection page:

Goodfood toasted sesame oil and pure maple syrup

 

Creamy Jalapeño Dressing

 
Looking to spice things up? Add a hint of heat to your side salad or main dish with a creamy, homemade jalapeño dressing that packs a punch while still delivering layers of flavour.

Chef’s Tip: The key to flavourful salad dressings is thoughtful, balanced seasoning. Add a dash of flakey sea salt and ground pepper and taste, taste, taste!

 

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp jalapeño aioli
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil
  • 3 tsp white wine vinegar
  • 1 garlic clove
  • Salt and pepper

 
Steps:

  • Prepare your mise en place by mincing the garlic.
  • In a bowl, combine the aioli, vinegar, and garlic (to taste).
  • Slowly whisk in avocado oil until thoroughly combined.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.

 

 

Find it on your selection page:

Goodfood jalapeno aioli and gourmet avocado oil

 

Citrus Vinaigrette

 
This one is for the sweet and sour lovers! We suggest pairing this light, tangy citrus vinaigrette with a balanced, earthy green like spinach and topping with orange or grapefruit segments for a fresh burst of flavour.

Chef’s Tip: No matter what you use to build your salad dressing, add each ingredient slowly and keep tasting as you do. Everyone’s taste buds are different and what might be the perfect amount for some might be too much (or not enough!) for others. Unlike baking, you can play around with ingredient levels in dressings and make them your own.

 

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp orange juice
  • 3 tsp sherry vinegar
  • 2 tsp honey
  • 3 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper

 
Steps:

  • In a bowl, combine the orange juice, vinegar, and honey.
  • Slowly whisk in the extra virgin olive oil until thoroughly combined.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.

 

 

Find it on your selection page:

Goodfood Morning Sun juice and orange supremes

 
What goes into your perfect simple salad dressing? Show us your salad making skills on social media and tag us @goodfoodca!

 
Image Credits

Feature Image, Image 1-10: via Goodfood

Posted by Cassy Trussell 0 Comments

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