Simple DIY Salad Dressings

Last week, we shared ideas for creative salad toppings — and this week, we’re taking it one step further with homemade dressings.

A good dressing can completely transform a salad. It ties everything together, adds flavour and texture, and can turn a simple bowl of vegetables into something genuinely satisfying.

At Living Simply Kitchen, we make litres upon litres of dressings every week for salads, bowls, and meal prep dishes. The best part? Most truly delicious dressings are built from just a few simple ingredients.

A basic homemade dressing often starts with:

• Olive oil or another healthy fat

• Vinegar or citrus juice

• A touch of sweetness

• Herbs and spices

• Something to help emulsify or create creaminess

  
  

That’s it.

Ingredients like Dijon mustard, maple syrup, honey, tahini, nut butters, yogurt, or blended nuts can all help create flavourful dressings without relying on heavily processed ingredients.

Why Make Your Own?

Store-bought dressings may be convenient, but many contain preservatives, stabilizers, artificial flavours, colourings, and additives designed to extend shelf life.

Making your own dressing at home gives you full control over the ingredients while creating flavours that taste fresher, brighter, and more vibrant.

And honestly? Homemade dressings are often much easier than people expect.

Keep It Small & Fresh

One important thing to remember: homemade dressings made with fresh ingredients typically last about four days in the fridge.

Because they don’t contain the preservatives found in shelf-stable products, it’s best to make smaller batches to keep them fresh and reduce food waste.

Start with a Simple Base

Many vinaigrettes begin with a classic oil-to-vinegar ratio:

• 3:1 for a milder dressing

• 2:1 for a brighter, more tangy flavour

  
  

Cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil is the most common base, but hemp oil and flax oil can also add wonderful flavour and nutrition.

For acids, try experimenting beyond plain white vinegar:

• Raw apple cider vinegar

• Balsamic vinegar, classic or white

• Rice vinegar

• Red or white wine vinegar

• Fresh lemon, lime, orange, or grapefruit juice

  
  

And if you have access to a local shop that carries infused oils and vinegars, the possibilities become endless. It’s such a fun way to experiment with flavour combinations while supporting local businesses at the same time.

Creamy Dressing Options

If you prefer creamy dressings, blended nuts can create a rich and satisfying base.

A simple starting point is:

• 1 part nuts

• 1 part water

Blend until smooth, adding extra water a teaspoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.

Soaking nuts overnight helps create a creamier texture and is easier on your blender. Cashews are especially popular because they blend beautifully and have a fairly neutral flavour.

You can also use:

• Tahini

• Hummus

• Yogurt

• Nut or seed butters thinned with water

Build Better Flavour

One of the easiest ways to experiment with homemade dressings is to combine elements from a few flavour categories.

Sweet

A touch of sweetness helps balance acidity.

Try:

• Maple syrup

• Honey

• Agave

• Fresh fruit or berries

• Dried fruit

Salty

Salt enhances every other flavour.

Try:

• Sea salt

• Pink Himalayan salt

• Capers

• Olives

• Tamari or coconut aminos

• Soy sauce

(Tamari and coconut aminos are great gluten-free options.)

Acid

Acidity brightens and lifts a dressing.

Try:

• Vinegars

• Citrus juice

• Pickle brine

• Apple cider vinegar

• Balsamic

Heat

Optional — but delicious.

Try:

• Black pepper

• Chili flakes

• Cayenne

• Jalapeño

• Chili powder

Herbs & Extras

Fresh herbs and spices can completely shift the flavour profile of a dressing.

Try:

• Basil

• Dill

• Cilantro

• Parsley

• Oregano

• Garlic

• Ginger

• Turmeric

• Curry powder

• Cumin

• Dijon or whole grain mustard

• Sun-dried tomatoes

Experiment & Make It Your Own

Homemade dressing doesn’t need to follow strict rules.

Start with a simple base, add a little sweetness, a little acidity, and season to taste. Once you start experimenting, you’ll quickly discover combinations you love.

The beauty of homemade dressings is that they can evolve with the seasons, your meals, and whatever ingredients you happen to have on hand.

And if you’d like a few easy recipes to get started, our DIY Salad Dressings Recipe Collection includes five simple dressing recipes to try at home.

Recipe Collection - Free

Any questions? Please reach out — I’m always happy to chat.

Warmly,

Instagram/Facebook @livingsimplykitchen