23 Flavorful Salad Dressings You Can Make at Home

Does this sound like you; You put a good deal of time and effort into creating a beautiful salad (washing delicate greens, chopping veggies, layering everything just so) only to finish your masterpiece with a store-bought bottle of dressing? We’ve all been there—and that’s why everyone needs these quick-and-delicious recipes. Whether you’re looking for a tangy vinaigrette to top peppery arugula, savory Caesar to go with crisp romaine or something creamier to dress hardy greens, you’ll find that homemade salad dressing is not only easy to whip up—it’s way more delicious than store-bought. Case in point? This bright and refreshing, made-from-scratch dressing that you know (and love!) from your favorite sushi restaurant. White, subtly sweet miso is the key to this well-balanced vinaigrette; it's mellower than other varieties and won’t affect the eye-catching color of the finished dressing.

This tangy dressing loaded with fresh herbs will bring any salad to life.

This tangy dressing, enriched with flavorful bacon drippings, is great over any hearty green but is especially tasty with sweet spinach. Add grilled chicken or salmon and call it a meal.

This buttermilk-and-blue cheese dressing is a happy partner to a wedge salad or a plate of spicy chicken wings.

This lemon-and-herb vinaigrette gets a touch of sweetness from honey and works beautifully with almost any salad.

This dressing is so thick and creamy, you won't miss the dairy. It's packed full of fresh herbs for that classic ranch flavor.

This popular salad dressing comes together fast (and with ingredients you’ll find in your pantry and refrigerator) so there’s no need to rely on the bottled stuff!

Ditch the bottled stuff and whisk up a batch of this workhorse vinaigrette. You'll use it on everything.

Hearty greens need a hearty dressing, and this tangy, creamy version does the trick. The acidity and salt help to tenderize the kale as it sits, while the anchovy and roasted garlic are a great match for the bitterness in the greens.

Find your new favorite dressing with this inventive blend of creme fraiche, honey and dill.

This bright and vibrant dressing has evolved since it originated in 1920s California. Earlier versions contained tarragon, anchovies, Worcestershire or avocados. Our reimagined classic is full of fresh, tender herbs, lemon and a balanced blend of yogurt and mayonnaise.

Asian pantry staples are whisked into mayo to create a creamy, versatile dressing that’s equally good on a simple green salad or a cold noodle dish.

Red wine vinegar and Italian herbs are the perfect way to dress up any tri-color salad.

Whisking together your own buttermilk dressing is easy and makes every salad (or any other dippable dish) just that much more delicious and special. You can use homemade mayonnaise or a high-quality prepared variety.

This fresh and tangy salad dressing is low in calories (just 60 per serving) and in fat (5 grams per serving). It also does double duty-it's great as a dip with vegetable crudites.

This classic Caesar dressing with just 5 ingredients will become your new go-to recipe.

This versatile dressing makes excellent use of pantry staples — the miso delivers umami, while sesame oil lends nuttiness. Use it on green salads, noodles or even as a dip for fresh veggies.

Greek yogurt gives this herby dressing a creamy texture and tangy flavor.

Easily brighten up this creamy dressing with chopped herbs and lemon juice.

This healthy version of a favorite dressing is low in calories and fat: Thick Greek yogurt takes the place of egg yolk, providing the same richness. The dressing is also super quick and easy-just throw all your ingredients together in a blender and puree.

Ranch is a year-round favorite, but every once in a while it’s great to mix it up with seasonal ingredients. The peppery, slightly garlicky nature of ramps lends itself perfectly to the herbaceous profile that gives ranch its signature taste. You could say that they “ramp up” the flavor.

A touch of oil and vinegar help the two namesake ingredients in this delicious dressing combine into a perfectly balanced, creamy-and-delicious topping for your greens.