Homemade Dressing Formula
While store-bought dressing makes getting a healthy dinner on the table easier some nights, they are not always that healthy for us. With hidden sugar and additives to keep them shelf stable, some store-bought dressing is best left in the store. But the good news is that it is very simple (and quick) to make dressing at home using our simple formula.
To make a delicious and balanced salad dressing you need to have oil, acid (typically vinegar or citrus juice), flavorful add-ins, and seasonings. The best formula to follow is a 3-to-1 ratio of oil to vinegar/acid to make your base, with your flavors and seasoning added to taste. This can be done using just about any combination of oil to vinegar or acid, the possibilities are endless.
Here are three basic recipes for quick and easy salad dressings:
Balsamic Vinaigrette
9 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons whole grain mustard
salt and pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients in a jar or bottle with a lid that seals well. Place lid on the container, shake well until ingredients are well combined. Taste your dressing for seasoning (this is best done on a piece of lettuce to see what it will taste like when your salad is together), adjust seasonings as needed.
You can also add fresh herbs, minced shallots or some sweetener to customize your dressing.
Makes about ½ a cup.
Lemon Vinaigrette
9 tablespoons olive oil
juice of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
1-2 teaspoons maple syrup
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons finely grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients in a jar or bottle with a lid that seals well. Place lid on the container, shake well until the ingredients are well combined. Taste for seasoning, adjust accordingly.
Makes about ½ a cup of dressing
Orange Miso Dressing
4 tablespoons miso paste
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
1 tablespoon unseasoned rice vinegar
1 tablespoon tamari soy sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
1" piece of ginger, finely grated
¼ cup grapeseed or other neutral oil
Combine all ingredients in a jar or bottle with a lid that seals well. Place lid on the container, shake well until the ingredients are well combined. Taste for seasoning, adjust accordingly.
Makes about ¾ cup of dressing
With our easy dressing formula and a few recipes to get you started, you’ll be making delicious dressings for salads and vegetable dipping in no time. The great thing is that you can adjust these dressing recipes to your taste, if you like your dressing a little more or less sweet it is completely up to you. You can easily adapt any of these recipes to go with the flavor profile or your meal, or use the simple formula to create your own, the possibilities are endless. You will never have to buy another bottle of prepared dressing, only to find it buried in the back of your refrigerator 6 months later.
