14 Salad Dressing Recipes to Amp Up Your Greens

Because salad is only as great as its dressing.

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istetiana/Getty Images

It’s not hard to make a great salad dressing; if you know the basics, there are endless variations to play with to make a salad that doesn’t feel like a chore to eat. A balanced, flavorful dressing is the secret to a delicious salad, and here we’ve gathered 14 of our best salad dressing recipes to inspire you and improve your greens game. 

01 of 14

Go-To Vinaigrette

Go-To-Vinaigrette
Greg DuPree

Salad dressing newbies: start here! This versatile dressing includes a shallot, honey, and lemon juice, and has a creamy, emulsified texture thanks to Dijon mustard.

02 of 14

Vegan Ranch Dressing

Vegan Ranch Dressing Recipe
Victor Protasio

You don’t need buttermilk, or any dairy product, for that matter, to whip up a great vegan ranch dressing. The secret ingredient in this recipe is silken tofu, which blends into a thick, creamy dressing.

03 of 14

Maple Vinaigrette

Maple Vinaigrette
Grace Elkus

Maple syrup isn’t just for pancakes; for example, we love it in this salty-sweet vinaigrette, which cuts through bitter lettuces like radicchio or kale. Shake the ingredients in a jar to emulsify them quickly and easily.

04 of 14

Orange-Shallot Vinaigrette

Every-Citrus Salad with Almonds and Manchego Recipe
Caitlin Bensel

As a variation on a mustard-based vinaigrette, add orange juice for sweetness and acidity, and shallots for bright, oniony flavor. Try it on a citrus salad when you’re craving some vitamin C.

05 of 14

Lemon-Oregano Dressing

Crispy Chicken Cutlets With A Crunchy Salad
Jennifer Causey

The combination of lemon and oregano gives this dressing a Mediterranean feel. We like to serve salads with this dressing alongside heavier dishes, like Crispy Chicken Cutlets and Smoky Beef Sliders.

06 of 14

Yogurt-Herb Dressing

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Greg DuPree

This tangy, herby dressing contains both yogurt and avocado for an extra creamy texture. Pair it with crunchy vegetables, like cucumbers and snap peas, that can stand up to this hearty salad dressing.

07 of 14

Anchovy-Garlic Dressing

Nicoise Inspired Summer Salad
Caitlin Bensel

Anchovies and garlic give this dressing a big, punchy flavor. Drizzle it generously over tomatoes, olives, chickpeas, and so on for a hearty salad you’ll want to make again and again.

08 of 14

Scallion Dressing

Superfood lentil salad served on a plate
Victor Protasio

This dressing includes roasted sunflower seeds for a rich nuttiness and thick texture that clings to hearty salads with beans or grains. Thinly sliced raw scallions freshen up the condiment.

09 of 14

Caesar Dressing

Baby Kale and Chicken Caesar Recipe
Caitlin Bensel

We had to include a classic Caesar dressing—an eternal fan favorite. This recipe uses the shortcut of mayonnaise instead of egg yolks, and of course contains the classic combination of Parmesan, Dijon, anchovies, and garlic.

10 of 14

Lemon-Miso Dressing

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Whenever we want to add a layer of umami to something, we look to miso, and this recipe is no exception. Here, miso takes a basic lemony dressing to the next level.

11 of 14

Brown Butter Vinaigrette

Warm Browned Butter Farro Salad

Victor Protasio

Browning butter releases a nutty flavor that elevates dishes both savory and sweet. Combined with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and Dijon, brown butter is the key ingredient in this irresistible dressing.

12 of 14

Lemon-Honey Vinaigrette

Lemony Chopped Salad
Victor Protasio

This vinaigrette couldn’t be simpler, and for good reason; sometimes, all you want to dress a salad with is lemon juice, honey, and olive oil, and there’s nothing wrong with that. If you’re dressing particularly fresh, tasty greens, go for a pure, simple vinaigrette like this one.

13 of 14

Cornichon Vinaigrette

Green Salad with Cornichon Vinaigrette
Victor Protasio

Don’t throw out your pickle brine! Instead, make this bright, acidic dressing to wake up your palate and give a simple green salad some pizzazz.

14 of 14

Bacon Vinaigrette

Green Beans With Bacon Vinaigrette
Gentl & Hyers

This rich bacon vinaigrette with shallots and mustard comes together quickly, and goes well with a whole range of vegetables and greens. Try it with earthy green beans, or bitter salad greens like frisée.

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