Summer is the ideal time to relish fresh, zesty and healthy salads. They are light on the stomach, high in fibre and don't leave one feeling bloated. Salad can be a healthy and nutritious addition to a balanced diet. But there is one condition. Unfortunately, most store-bought dressings are brimming with added sugar, preservatives, and artificial flavourings that can diminish the potential health benefits of your salad. Making your own salad dressing home is an easy and cost-effective alternative to store-bought varieties.
Here are the 10 best summer salad dressings to make your salads more appetising.
Caesar Dressing
Nothing can beat this classic dressing for light salads for any season. When the temperature rises outside, a salad with Caesar dressing made with anchovy paste, garlic, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese is all that you need. It's perfect for salads with romaine lettuce and croutons.
Lemon Vinaigrette
Summer makes us crave something tart and tangy. A salad feels refreshing with a lemon vinaigrette dressing. This is made with lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, and honey. It's tangy and sweet, perfect for fruit or grilled chicken salads.
Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Who doesn't know the health benefits of apple cider vinegar? Apart from sipping it as a morning detox drink, one can make a refreshing salad dressing with apple cider vinaigrette. Light and tart, apple cider vinaigrette may cut through the sharpness of leafy greens. You'll need honey, olive oil, mustard sauce, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar.
Balsamic Vinaigrette
It has a sweet yet savoury flavour that works well in just about any salad, making it one of the most versatile options. Balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, garlic, pepper and honey make this dressing a classic. It's perfect for salads with tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil.
Ranch Dressing'
Buttermilk, mayonnaise, and herbs come together to make this luscious dressing. Toss it with grilled chicken or shrimp for a delicious salad.
Honey Mustard
This dressing has honey, Dijon mustard, olive oil, and apple cider vinegar. It's sweet and tangy, perfect for bacon or grilled chicken salads. This creamy dressing has a slightly sweet flavour for adding depth and rounding out your favourite savoury salads.
Greek Dressing
This dressing is made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, and oregano. It's perfect for salads with feta cheese, olives, and cucumbers.
Salad with sesame seeds dressing, Image Source: Pexels
Sesame Ginger Dressing
If you want some healthy crunch to your salad, you have come to the right place. This dressing is made with sesame oil, rice vinegar, ginger, and soy sauce. It's perfect for salads with grilled shrimp or chicken.
Avocado Lime Dressing
Avocados are abundant in monounsaturated fats, which are beneficial for your heart and may increase your levels of good cholesterol. An avocado lime dressing is fantastic as a dip for raw vegetables. You may also employ it as a topping for salads. This dressing's main ingredients are avocado, lime juice, garlic, and cilantro. Toss it with grilled corn and black bean salad for a delicious meal.
Tahini Dressing
If you like something light and lemony for your salad, tahini dressing is meant for you. The subtle lemon flavour in tahini makes it an excellent choice for a summer salad dressing. On roasted vegetables and salads, it works wonders.