We all know that salads are healthy and hat we should try to eat more veggies every day. But eating the same tomatoes, cucumbers and arugula can become boring. How can you spice up a simple salad? Easy: try these ten delicious salad dressings.
1. Asian Ginger Dressing
Ingredients:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger root
- 3/4 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 cup water
Directions:
In a 1 pint glass jar or larger, combine the garlic, ginger, olive oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, and water. Cover the jar with a tight fitting lid, and shake well. Remove lid, and heat jar in the microwave for 1 minute just to dissolve the honey. Let cool, and shake well before serving. Store covered in the refrigerator.
2. Vegan Ranch Dressing
Ingredients:
- 1 cup vegan mayonnaise
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup unsweetened soy milk
Directions:
Whisk all ingredients together and chill before serving. Add a little more soy milk if you need to thin dressing.
3. Texas Ranch Dressing
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon minced parsley
- 2 teaspoons minced onions
- 1 -2 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse-ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 dash white vinegar (optional)
Directions:
Combine all the ingredients in a large lidded jar and shake well. Chill at least 30 minutes. The dressing keeps, refrigerated, at least five days. Variation: Add one or two minced fresh or pickled jalapeños.
4. Blue Cheese Dressing
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 1 1/3 cups mayonnaise
- 4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/3 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Directions:
In a large bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, blue cheese, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours before serving.
5. Creamy Italian Dressing
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 small onion
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
Directions:
In a blender or food processor, combine mayonnaise, onion, vinegar, and sugar. Season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth.
6. Mustard Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon prepared Dijon-style mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 4 drops hot sauce
Directions:
In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, honey, mustard, pepper, salt, garlic, oil and hot sauce until thoroughly combined. Chill until serving.
7. Cilantro-Lime Dressing
Ingredients:
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped
- 1 clove garlic
- 3/4 teaspoon minced fresh ginger root
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 cup packed cilantro leaves
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Directions:
Place the jalapeno pepper, garlic clove, and ginger into a food processor or blender; pulse until the jalapeno and garlic are finely chopped. Pour in the lime juice, honey, balsamic vinegar, and salt, add the cilantro leaves; pulse a few times to blend. Turn the food processor or blender on, and slowly drizzle in the olive oil until incorporated into the dressing. Season to taste with salt before serving.
8. Hot Bacon Dressing
Ingredients:
- 8 slices bacon
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 3 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
Directions:
Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch and salt, and slowly pour in water and vinegar, whisking constantly. In a medium skillet, add the crumbled bacon and pour the vinegar mixture over it. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens.
9. Cucumber and avocado salad dressing
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 avocados, peeled, seeded and cubed
- 1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded and cut into chunks
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Puree the olive oil and garlic in a blender until smooth. Add the cilantro, avocado, cucumber, and lemon juice. Puree again until smooth, then season to taste with salt and pepper.
10. Russian Salad Dressing
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup sugar (or honey)
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 -3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons celery seeds
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup grated onion (or 1/2 tbsp onion powder)
Directions:
In a sauce pan cook sugar and water until thick. Cool syrup. Combine the remaining ingredients. Add syrup and whisk to blend well.
Recipes courtesy of Food, All Recipes and BBC Food.
