13 Easy Salad Dressing Recipes (2024)

There is nothing I love better in spring than a garden fresh salad topped with a homemade salad dressing. This collection of 13 Easy Salad Dressing Recipes has been curated for maximum flavor impact. These recipes come together quickly, don’t require any special equipment, and the ingredients can be found in most grocery stores.

Why use homemade salad dressings?

If I’m given the option I will choose a homemade salad dressing over store-bought dressing any day. Not only are the flavors fresher, but they can be adapted to suit my flavor palate and the ingredients in my pantry. Without the required preservatives to extend shelf-life, they can be healthier too. Sure you can whip up a simple vinaigrette by combining a little apple cider vinegar and that extra virgin olive oil you refuse to cook with, but this list is designed to inspire you to take it farther by adding herbs, spices, and other ingredients that are probably already lingering in your fridge or pantry.

How “easy” are these easy dressings?

The first requirement for the dressings on this list is that they cannot require any special equipment. They can all be made without dirtying your blender or food processor, with minimal effort on your part. You can use a basic shaker jar, mason jar, or a simple bowl and whisk.

They must come together quickly, meaning that in a pinch you can toss it together and have it on the table in 5 – 10 minutes. However, read the posts! Many homemade dressings taste better if made in advance to give time for the flavors to meld together.

Lastly, the ingredients must be easy to find, whether that is in your pantry or at your local grocery store. No trips to the ends of the earth for specialty ingredients in this list!

How long do homemade dressings last?

This is arguably the one drawback to homemade dressings: they have a shorter shelf-life than their preservative laden store-bought counterparts. While sugars and vinegars do act as preservatives, there aren’t going to be strong enough to keep your dressing from spoiling or the flavor from falling flat.

On the other hand, with salad dressings that are this easy to make you can make just as much as you need and have fresh dressing for every salad you make.