10 salad dressings you can make in minutes (2024)

Enhance your salads effortlessly with our guide to basic salad dressing. It's the last thing you think of when you're putting together a no-fuss summer salad: the dressing. With this in mind, we've created 10 simple salad dressings you can throw together for any occasion, to suit every possible leafy combination. All of these easy recipes take minutes to make and need just a handful of ingredients to create something full of flavour, taking your salad to the next level.

Learn how to make salad dressing in minutes using our recipes below. Also check out our ultimate collection of salad dressing recipes for more inspiration, and browse our best ever salad recipes for pairing ideas.

Homemade salad dressing recipes

Jump to section:

• • • 1. French dressing
    • 5. Parsley dressing
    • 8. Tahini dressing
    • 9. Sweet chilli dressing
    • 10. Mint yogurt dressing

1. French dressing

A classic recipe that everyone enjoys, made with oil and vinegar. This is the solid foundation of the salad dressing world. To make, whisk 1 tsp Dijon mustard with 2 tbsp white wine vinegar, 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of sugar and salt and pepper in a small bowl or shake together in a jam jar.

Try this French dressing with our simple green salad with avocado.

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2.

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Sweet with a little bit of heat, this is another popular combination. Just five storecupboard ingredients stand between you and salad perfection. To make, stir together 2 tsp wholegrain mustard with 2 tsp honey and the juice of 1 lemon in a small bowl. Gradually stir in 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper. You can also add a splash of flavour to your salad with simple and tasty olive oil salad dressing.

Try this honey and mustard dressing on our chicken breast with avocado salad.

3.

If you're looking for a subtly nutty, savoury flavour then this Asian-style dressing is ideal. Just add 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil, 2 tbsp groundnut oil, juice of 1 lime, ¼ tsp chilli flakes and 1 tsp honey to a small bowl and stir together.

Try it with Asian pulled chicken salad.

4.

Plump, juicy sultanas and subtly sweet vinegar go nicely together in this orangey dressing. Whisk together the zest and juice of 1 orange, 4 tbsp sherry vinegar and 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a small bowl. Season to taste then stir in 2 tbsp sultanas.

Try drizzling this over our smoky maple duck salad.

5. Parsley dressing

Whisk up wellness with our healthy salad dressing recipe. This light, herby dressing with a hint of garlic goes well with fish, pasta salad or a nutrient-packed tabbouleh. It's not overwhelming and it's just a shake away. To make, chop ½ small pack of parsley then add to a small bowl with 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp sherry vinegar, ½ clove grated garlic and 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil.

Try it on our .

6.

Garlic and anchovy is the ultimate savoury and salty combination. Finish with a drizzle of red wine vinegar and a handful of versatile capers. To make, crush 1 clove garlic with a pinch of salt and 2 anchovy fillets in oil in a pestle and mortar. Whisk in 2 tbsp red wine vinegar followed by 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and 2 tbsp capers.

Try this dressing on our .

7.

Add a little heat to your standard salad with this zingy ginger dressing. To make, grate a thumb-sized piece of ginger into a small bowl. Stir in 2 tsp wasabi paste, 6 tbsp rapeseed oil and 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar.

Try a spoonful over our Oriental duck salad.

8. Sweet chilli dressing

With a slight kick that won't blow your head off, this sweet and sticky chilli dressing adds a little something extra to any simple side salad. We'd also recommend trying it as a dipping sauce or sweet marinade. To make, mix together 2 tbsp sweet chilli dressing with the zest of 2 limes and 6 tbsp rice wine vinegar in a small bowl.

Try this dressing on our .

9. Tahini dressing

This cool, delicate, sesame-based dressing goes well with Middle Eastern style salads or drizzled over griddled halloumi. To make, stir together 2 tbsp tahini with the juice of 1 lemon, salt, pepper and 6 tbsp water in a small bowl.

Try it with our grilled aubergine tabbouleh.

10. Minty yogurt dressing

Looking for healthy salad dressing? What could be better than crunchy cucumber chunks and a light, minty sauce? To make, roughly chop ½ small pack of mint and a ¼ cucumber. Combine into a bowl with 150g natural yogurt, 1 tbsp white wine vinegar, zest of ½ lemon then season with salt and pepper.

Serve a dollop with Greek salad.

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What's your favourite homemade salad dressing? Leave a comment below...