When Alex and I first started getting interested in healthy eating, it started with learning to make our own homemade salad dressings.
Not only are they so much more delicious than store bought, they’re free from additives and preservatives.
Fast forward to today, and we now have a full website with thousands of recipes and two cookbooks. (You could say we got into it! (
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Here are our top salad dressings and salad recipes so that you can enjoy them, too!
My top 5 salad dressing recipes
1. Balsamic vinaigrette
I can’t tell you how many times we’ve made this! It’s simple and comes out perfectly creamy every time (thanks to Dijon mustard).
2. Italian dressing
This is probably the most popular dressing recipe on our website! It’s zingy and perfect on our favorite chopped salad.
3. Honey mustard dressing
This one is the perfect balance of sweet and savory, and it has a formula that’s easy to memorize!
4. Caesar dressing
It’s classic for a reason! My favorite is the Greek yogurt spin listed in the recipe. You can also try our Vegan Caesar Dressing.
5. Green goddess dressing
I don’t often like to dirty my blender, but this one is absolutely worth it! The flavor is so fresh and creamy.
More easy salad dressing recipes
There are so many more to try. Here are our top 30 salad dressing recipes to make at home, from vinaigrettes to creamy dressings, sweet, fruity, spicy, and more.
My top 10 salad recipes
1. Strawberry salad
I could literally eat this every day! If you saw me make this on Instagram, I used pickled red onions for a tangy crunch and some chopped cucumbers.
2. Chopped salad
This is our most popular salad on this website, and it’s been made and loved by thousands of readers! It’s especially great with added protein to make it it a main dish, try it with:
3. Arugula salad
This really is the simplest salad you’ll ever make—you don’t even need a dressing! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made this one. You can also dress it up with other ingredients, like an Apple Arugula Salad or Arugula Beet Salad.
4. Caesar salad
Caesar salad is one thing, but a homemade Caesar salad is next level good! Often I like to add protein to make it a meal—here are my favorite variations:
- Kale Caesar Salad
- Chicken Caesar Salad
- Salmon Caesar Salad
- Shrimp Caesar Salad
- Vegan Caesar Salad with Baked Tofu
5. Romaine lettuce salad with Green goddess
This one is so simple and pretty! I love the bright colors and it’s fun to add breadcrumbs for a crunch (a nice alternative to croutons).
6. Lemony kale salad
You will go crazy for this zingy garlicky dressing! Another option is this Kale Caesar Salad, which I also love.
7. Mediterranean salad
This salad recipe is so refreshing and vibrant, and packed with flavors! This goes well with our Mediterranean diet recipes. It’s great for adding protein to make it a meal—see the Chopped Salad notes above.
8. Mexican chopped salad
This is such a fun salad recipe—I love the crunchy tortilla strips! It pairs well with tacos or enchiladas. Try it with our Enchilada Casserole, Chicken Enchiladas, Vegetarian Enchiladas, Shrimp Tacos, or Black Bean Tacos.
9. Apple salad (or pear salad)
This is the salad I’ve served the most to guests! Anything with pomegranate seeds is a win in my book. Also try this Pear Salad or Pomegranate Salad for a similar concept.
10. Sweet potato salad
If you have time to make roasted sweet potatoes, this salad is absolutely worth it! It has that sweet and savory combination that makes me crave it (really).
More salad recipes
There are so many more to try! Here are my top 60 salad recipes—including bean and lentil salads, pasta salads, potato salads, and more.
