It may not seem like it, but drizzling dressing on your leafy greens can sabotage your salad. Think of it this way…you wouldn’t spray paint your house, would you? Then why would you derail your dinner by pouring sugar-filled dressing on a first-class salad? If you take a peek at the ingredients, store-bought salad dressing is often filled with sneaky sugars and artificial additives.

You don’t need to settle for these hidden chemical emulsifiers and artificial colors to spice up your salad. Instead, dress up your salad with one of the three DIY dressings below! Even if you’ve never made a DIY dressing, these recipes are for you.

 

Vinaigrette Dressing

(2 servings)

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon finely chopped shallot or chives (optional)

2 Tablespoons olive oil

freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions: Whisk the vinegar and mustard in a bowl along with the shallot, if using.  Slowly whisk in the olive oil until well incorporated.  Let rest for a few minutes to let the flavors blend.

Creamy Buttermilk Dressing

(4 servings)

4 tablespoons non fat buttermilk

1/3 cup part-skim ricotta cheese

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

¼ teaspoon minced garlic (1/2 a small clove)

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon chopped chives

freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions: Whisk all ingredients in a bowl until well combined.  Use half to dress a salad and store the remainder in the refrigerator.

Thai Salad Dressing

Juice of 1 lime

5 tbsp sesame oil

1/2 Thai chili (also known as birds eye chili)

¾ tbsp low sodium soy sauce

1 tbsp fish sauce

1 tbsp freshly ground ginger

Directions: In a bowl, mix all ingredients.

Miso Dressing

(serves 1)

1 Tablespoon minced ginger

1 teaspoon miso

1-3 teaspoons of lemon juice or water

Directions: In a small bowl, mix the ginger and miso together. Add a teaspoon of lemon juice (or water), and whisk. Add more lemon juice (or water) in teaspoonfuls until desired consistency.

Chinese Chicken Salad Dressing

1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce

1/4 cup white wine vinegar

3 Tbs finely minced ginger

3 Tbs olive oil

2 Tbs Hoisin sauce

1 Tbs Toasted Sesame Oil

1 tsp Spicy Chili Oil

1 tsp Sriracha

1/2 tsp sea salt

5 chopped green onions (both green and white parts)

Directions: In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, vinegar, minced ginger, olive oil, hoisin sauce, toasted sesame oil, chili oil, Sriracha, sea salt and chopped green onions.

Caesar Salad Dressing

(1 serving)

1 tablespoon low fat mayonnaise (Best Foods Light)

1 teaspoon freshly grated Parmesan

Dash of Worcestershire sauce

½ teaspoon Dijon mustard

Freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

½ teaspoon capers, drained (optional)

Directions: Mix all ingredients in a bowl