Store-bought vs homemade: Elevating your salad with simple dressings

It can transform even the simplest salad, but the ingredient list in store-bought dressings often leaves much to be desired. These products typically contain high amounts of salt, sugar, preservatives, and artificial additives. Fortunately, there are interesting alternatives that we can easily prepare ourselves. Here are a few ideas.

One of the simplest and most versatile salad dressings, especially for salads made of leaves, vegetables, and cheeses. How to prepare it? Combine olive oil (3 tablespoons), red or white wine vinegar (1 tablespoon), Dijon mustard (1 teaspoon), and salt and pepper to taste in a bowl. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly until a uniform emulsion is formed.

Natural yogurt is an excellent base for sauces because it is light and low in calories. This garlic sauce, based on yogurt, pairs well with vegetable salads. Mix thick yogurt (1 cup), 2 cloves of garlic pressed through a garlic press, lemon juice (1 teaspoon), chopped fresh herbs (such as dill and parsley), and salt and pepper thoroughly. Then chill in the fridge for at least half an hour.

Avocado is a source of healthy fats, vitamins, and other valuable nutrients. This creamy and flavorful avocado sauce is perfect for salads with chicken or shrimp. Peel a ripe avocado, remove the pit, and blend it until smooth with olive oil (2 tablespoons), juice from half a lime, 1 clove of garlic, salt, and pepper. If needed, add a bit of water to achieve the desired consistency.

The perfect combination of sweet and spicy flavors. Great for salads with chicken and as a dressing for vegetable dishes. To prepare, mix honey (2 tablespoons), Dijon mustard (2 tablespoons), olive oil (2 tablespoons), freshly squeezed lemon juice (1 tablespoon), salt, and pepper thoroughly until smooth.

A great choice for fans of oriental flavors. This sauce pairs well with salads featuring rice noodles, shrimp, or tofu. In a bowl, mix sesame tahini paste (2 tablespoons), soy sauce (1 tablespoon), rice vinegar (1 tablespoon), honey (1 teaspoon), 1 clove of garlic pressed through a garlic press, and water (2 tablespoons). If the sauce is too thick, add more water to reach the desired consistency.

An American favorite, suitable for any salad, especially potato salad. How to prepare it? Mix mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk (1/2 cup each) until smooth. Then add finely chopped parsley (3 tablespoons), dill and chives (1.5 tablespoons each), powdered garlic (1/2 teaspoon), onion powder (1/4 teaspoon), apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce (1/2 teaspoon each). Mix all the ingredients thoroughly, then season with fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. You may also add a bit of freshly squeezed lemon juice. The prepared ranch dressing should chill in the fridge for at least four hours or preferably overnight to allow the flavors to blend properly.

Maple syrup, made by the long evaporation of maple sap, can be used to prepare a delicious salad dressing. This dressing is great with cooked fava beans, tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, and green pepper. Mix maple syrup (1 tablespoon) with high-quality olive oil (2 tablespoons), apple cider vinegar (1 tablespoon), spicy mustard (1 tablespoon), and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

On warm days, we eagerly reach for refreshing fruit salads. How to enhance their taste? By preparing a very simple yet delicious sauce that pairs well with various ingredients. Just blend freshly squeezed orange juice (1 cup) with cold-pressed flaxseed oil (3 tablespoons) and ground sesame seeds (3 tablespoons).