Salad dressing happens to be another one of those things where once I started to make my own, I stopped buying it from the store. I realized how delicious Make Your Own Salad Dressing was! An added benefit to making your own salad dressing is that you can be sure there are no hidden sugars or additives in the recipe (as is the case with many store-bought dressings).
Also, these are really fun to make for kid chefs. What could be more delightful than putting something in a jar and shaking as hard as you can? It can also be a fun science lesson: what is an emulsion? Why don't oil and vinegar like each other? And since you can make them so quickly, even the littlest chefs have the patience for these recipes.
Here are 4 of my favorite salad dressings: honey dijon dressing, creamy dressing, Italian dressing, and honey balsamic dressing. Nom nom nom!
COLLECT INGREDIENTS
- 2 Tbsp dijon mustard
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground pepper
COLLECT TOOLS
- 1 Tablespoon
- 1 teaspoon
- ¼ teaspoon
- Jar with lid
RECIPE STEPS
- Measure out all ingredients.
- Combine all ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- Shake until thoroughly combined.
- Enjoy and refrigerate whatever you don’t use.
- Remember to clean up!
COLLECT INGREDIENTS
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 3 Tbsp mayonnaise or full fat yogurt
- 2 Tbsp champagne vinegar
- Pinch salt
- Pinch sugar
- Freshly ground pepper, to taste
COLLECT TOOLS
- 1 teaspoon
- 1 Tablespoon
- Jar with lid
RECIPE STEPS
- Measure out all ingredients.
- Combine all ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- Shake until thoroughly combined.
- Enjoy and refrigerate whatever you don’t use.
- Remember to clean up!
COLLECT INGREDIENTS
- ¼ cup + 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- ½ garlic clove or ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp dried oregano leaves
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground pepper
- (Optional) 1 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
COLLECT TOOLS
- ¼ cup
- 1 Tablespoon
- ½ teaspoon
- ¼ teaspoon
- Kid chef knife or butter knife
- Cutting board
RECIPE STEPS
- Peel garlic clove and press using the side of your knife.
- Using your kid chef knife and cutting board, cut garlic clove in half and set aside half for another time.
- Chop ½ garlic clove into small pieces and place into jar.
- Measure out all other ingredients.
- Combine all ingredients in the jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- Shake until thoroughly combined.
- Enjoy and refrigerate whatever you don’t use.
- Remember to clean up!
COLLECT INGREDIENTS
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbsp honey
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground pepper
COLLECT TOOLS
- ¼ cup
- 1 Tablespoon
- ¼ teaspoon
RECIPE STEPS
- Measure out all ingredients.
- Combine all ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- Shake until thoroughly combined.
- Enjoy and refrigerate whatever you don’t use.
- Remember to clean up!
Grown-up PRO-TIPS
- Vinaigrettes can last in the fridge for up to 2 weeks and dressings made with fresh ingredients can last up to 1 week in the fridge.
- If you don't have the specific vinegar that is called for in the recipe, try substituting another one. We used apple cider vinegar for most of these dressings and they turned out deliciously!
