5 Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes to Make Tonight

We all do it. There is that one salad dressing that is our go-to and we can very rarely deviate from that choice. I am definitely that person with my ranch dressing, but with fresh lettuce coming into the garden soon, I like to switch it up. Here are 5 homemade salad dressing recipes to change up your choice routine.

My Love of Ranch

Years ago, fast-food french fries were about the only snack I’d eat. We would get out of school, and because I had a car, we would all pile in and run to the golden arches. (Yes, I know. I hate fast food now, obviously, but hey… I was 16 and didn’t know better yet.)

This was when we could get a large order for only $1. This was super exciting for all of us broke teenagers. Who couldn’t scrape up enough change for an order?

It was during these trips that my friend Diane introduced me to the joy of dipping these golden beauties into a packet of ranch dressing. I absolutely fell in love. Granted, they charged you a quarter for that little packet, but hey! What’s another quarter dug out of a couch cushion? Hence my love of ranch dressing on all things was born.

Salad Love

Now that I have aged (a bit, don’t judge LOL), I’ve become more into making a great salad with the lettuce from my garden. Lettuce is one of the easiest things to grow. Even if you don’t have a lot of space for a huge garden, a simple raised garden bed can be your best friend when starting to grow your own food.

Over the years, I’ve changed up the types of toppings that I go to on salads. Dried cranberries, almonds, pecans… I’ve tried so many salads that I honestly can’t remember them all.

Having options for different types of salad toppings and dressings is a must for me. I’m not a big fan of leftovers, so even eating the same salad twice seems weird. I love variety.

Mom’s Spicy French Dressing

This dressing was a staple in my house growing up and is still my Dad’s favorite dressing. I make sure he gets lettuce from my garden and a quart of this during the summer months. Mom may not be around to make it for him anymore, but I try to help him eat as she fed him. Try Mom’s Spicy French Dressing on your salad.

Homemade 1000 Island Salad Dressing

This homemade 1000 Island is a great addition to a lot of salads. I even make a homemade Rueben salad that uses this dressing.

To Make:

1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup ketchup or chili sauce (add a pinch of horseradish when using ketchup)
3 Tbsp. sweet relish
1 boiled egg, chopped
1/2 cup shredded Italian cheese blend
olive juice (to taste)
Mix all and chill until ready to use.

Celery Seed Salad Dressing

To Make:

1/2 cup sugar
1 cup canola oil
1 tsp. dry mustard
1/3 cup vinegar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. celery seed
1/2 cup onion
Combine all ingredients in your blender. Blend until all onions are chopped and incorporated. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Simple Sweet and Sour Dressing

This dressing is amazing as a marinade. I use it for my coleslaw and over beet slaw. Alternately, slice onions, peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes and pour this Sweet and Sour Dressing over. Talk about an amazing side on a hot summer day!

To Make:

1 c. white vinegar
1 3/4 cup sugar
salt to taste
Place in a bowl or mason jar. Stir or shake until sugar is completely dissolved. Keeps up to 6 months in the refrigerator.

Poppy Seed Dressing

I love poppy seed dressing. It’s just the perfect blend to salads containing fruit. Homemade poppy seed dressing over a strawberry walnut salad is one of my favorites.

To Make:

1 1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp dry mustard
2 tsp. salt
2/3 cup vinegar
3 Tbsp. minced onion
2 cups canola oil
3 Tbsp. poppy seeds
Mix sugar, mustard, salt, and vinegar. All onions. Add oil slowly, beating constantly until thickened. Add poppy seeds and mix well.

Homemade Salad Dressing

Another wonderful thing about making homemade dressing? It’s simple to adjust the recipe to fit your own taste. Need more salt? Want more poppy seed? Just make it, try it and adjust the recipe to how you want it to taste.

I love making homemade dressings so that they are personalized to my family’s pallette.

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