Iemand schenkt een romige, huisgemaakte vinaigrette met kruiden over een kleurrijke salade met sla, komkommer, tomaat, avocado en verse kruiden.
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salade dressing

A good salad stands or falls with the dressing. With a few simple ingredients you can make in a few minutes a dressing that is much tastier than a ready-made variant from the supermarket. The nice thing is that you can vary endlessly with herbs, spices and different types of oil and vinegar.

In this guide you'll discover how to make a salad dressing yourself, which basic ratio works best and find 15 simple dressings for every salad. Of course we also show how to add extra flavor in no time with the herb mixes from Natural Spices.

 

Why make salad dressing yourself?

Making a salad dressing yourself is easier than you think. With a few basic ingredients you can have a dressing on the table in five minutes that perfectly matches your taste. Moreover, you decide exactly what goes into it.

Many ready-made dressings contain, besides oil and vinegar, also sugar, starch, thickeners or preservatives to improve flavor, texture and shelf life. By making your dressing yourself, you choose pure ingredients and add only what you like.

A homemade dressing also has more advantages:

  • Ready in 5 minutes
  • Full of flavor
  • You choose the ingredients yourself
  • No unnecessary additives
  • Control how much oil, salt or sweetness you use
  • Endless variation with herbs and spices

With a good herb mix, like Natural Spices Sirtaki Mix, Mamma Mia, Habibi Veggie or Hurry Curry, you can give your dressing extra flavor in no time. Often you don't need more than olive oil, a splash of lemon juice or vinegar and a bit of mustard or yogurt.

 

The basis of a good salad dressing

Almost every dressing starts with the same base.

Oil

Choose for example:

  • Extra virgin olive oil (Extra virgin olive oil is the best choice for most salads.)
  • Avocado oil
  • Rapeseed oil
  • Walnut oil

Acid

For freshness use for example:

  • Lemon juice
  • Lime juice
  • White wine vinegar
  • Red wine vinegar
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Balsamic vinegar

Flavorings

Finish your dressing with:

  • Herbs and spices
  • Mustard
  • Honey
  • Garlic
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Yogurt or mayonnaise (for a creamy dressing)

The ideal ratio

A classic vinaigrette consists of:

  • 3 parts oil
  • 1 part acid

For example:

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar

Then add herbs and possibly mustard or honey.

Tip: Find the dressing a bit too acidic? Then add an extra splash of olive oil. Want a fresher taste, use a bit more lemon juice or vinegar.

 

15 easy salad dressings

1. Classic vinaigrette

Perfect for almost any salad.

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Freshly ground black pepper

2. Greek dressing

Delicious with Greek salad, grilled vegetables or pasta.

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • Juice of ½ lemon
  • 2 tsp Natural Spices Sirtaki Mix (The Sirtaki Mix contains Mediterranean herbs that pair perfectly with feta, cucumber and tomato.)

3. Italian dressing

Ideal for pasta salads.

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tsp Natural Spices Mamma Mia (This herb mix immediately gives the taste of Italian herbs like oregano, basil and garlic.)

4. Middle Eastern yogurt dressing

Nice with couscous, falafel and grilled vegetables.

Ingredients

  • 150 g Greek yogurt
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tsp Natural Spices Habibi Veggie

5. Honey-mustard dressing

A delicious combination with chicken, bacon or goat cheese.

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

6. Creamy yogurt dressing

A fresh dressing for every day.

Ingredients

  • 150 g Greek yogurt
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1½ tsp Natural Spices Sirtaki Mix

7. Lemon dressing

Delicious with fish, shrimp and green salads.

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • Juice of ½ lemon
  • 2 tsp Natural Spices Sirtaki Mix

8. Curry dressing

Perfect with chicken, rice salad or cauliflower.

Ingredients

  • 150 g Greek yogurt
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tsp Natural Spices Hurry Curry

9. Balsamic dressing

A classic with arugula, mozzarella and tomato.

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tsp Natural Spices Mamma Mia

10. Garlic dressing

Delicious with grilled vegetables, potato salad or as a fresh dressing for a green salad.

Ingredients

  • 150 g Greek yogurt
  • 1 clove garlic, finely pressed
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp finely chopped parsley
  • ½ tsp finely chopped chives
  • Freshly ground black pepper

11. Avocado dressing

Creamy without mayonnaise.

Blend:

  • 1 ripe avocado
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Fresh cilantro

12. Mustard vinaigrette

A slightly spicier dressing for hearty salads.

Mix:

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard

13. Orange dressing

Delicious with spinach, walnuts, goat cheese or a salad with chicken.

Mix:

  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp honey (optional)
  • Freshly ground black pepper

14. Caesar dressing

A creamy classic that pairs perfectly with a Caesar salad with chicken, Parmesan cheese and croutons.

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp Greek yogurt
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 anchovy fillet, finely chopped (optional)

15. Spicy chili dressing

Delicious with taco, Mexican or bean salads and grilled vegetables.

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tsp honey
  • ½ tsp chipotle powder or chili flakes
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Tips for the tastiest dressing

  • Use a good extra virgin olive oil.
  • Let the dressing sit for 10 to 15 minutes so the herbs can release their flavor well.
  • Always taste before pouring the dressing over the salad.
  • Store homemade dressing in a sealed glass jar or bottle in the refrigerator.
  • Shake the dressing well before use.
  • Add fresh herbs only at the last moment for the freshest flavor.

Frequently asked questions

1. How long can you store homemade salad dressing?

A vinaigrette based on oil and vinegar will keep for about a week in the refrigerator. Dressings with yogurt or mayonnaise are best used within 2 to 3 days.

2. Why does my dressing separate?

That is completely normal. Oil and acid do not remain mixed. Shake or stir the dressing again just before use.

3. Which oil tastes best for a salad dressing?

Extra virgin olive oil is the most used oil because of its full, fruity flavor. For a milder dressing you can also use avocado or rapeseed oil.

4. Can I make a dressing without sugar?

Yes. Most vinaigrettes contain no added sugar at all. If you want a sweeter taste, use a little honey or leave it out.

5. Which herbs give the most flavor?

Mediterranean herbs like oregano, basil and thyme are ideal for Italian and Greek salads. For couscous or grilled vegetables, cumin, coriander and Middle Eastern herbs are a delicious choice. With an herb mix like Natural Spices Sirtaki Mix, Habibi Veggie, Mamma Mia or Hurry Curry you can easily give a dressing extra flavor.