17 Quick and Easy Recipes Homemade Salad Dressing From Scratch

Want to get more out of quick easy recipes homemade without the guesswork? Below we walk through the essentials in plain language, with practical steps you can use right away.

Key Takeaways

• With prices soaring to unprecedented levels, finding methods to enjoy delicious meals at home becomes not just a choice but a necessity.
• From classic Thousand Island to creamy poppy seed, these straightforward yet gourmet dressings will transform any salad into a culinary delight, all without breaking the bank.
• I was shocked to read the new menu at a small local hamburger joint in our town.
• Worth noting: the same classic hamburger that was $7.95 pre-virus, is now $15.25.

Is Quick Easy Recipes Homemade Worth It?

If you think eating well means eating out, which can mean home delivery, drive-thru, curbside pick-up, or dining-in, you may be feeling the effects on your wallet as the cost of restaurant meals continues to soar in unprecedented methods. Will prices ever settle down to where they were?

• I wouldn’t bet on it, at least not anytime soon.
• It’s time for us to change our thinking and begin digging in to find each realistic method that we can cut the cost of food without giving up quality and yummy deliciousness.
• More importantly, if I can make the leap from being a diner-in-debt to making irresistible meals at home that frequently taste even better than those from a restaurant, at a fraction of the cost of eating out, so can you.
• One method to do this is to learn how to make fabulous, straightforward gourmet salad dressings from scratch.

Where the Real Savings Hide

Following is my collection of tried-and-true homemade salad dressing recipes. Your family will not be able to resist fresh, healthy salads once you have these quick and super-straightforward homemade dressing recipes.

• Remember that yum!   Thousand Island Dressing 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup ketchup 1/3 cup chopped sweet pickles 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 1 or 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped finely (optional, but oh, so solid!) Place all ingredients in a bowl and stir until combined.
• See the print version for the full recipe.
• Serving Suggestion: Here’s my favorite no-brainer gourmet salad dressing: Cut a head of iceberg lettuce into wedges and arrange them on one plate or individual salad plates.
• Drizzle Thousand Island Dressing over the top, and you’re done.

A Closer Look at Quick Easy Recipes Homemade

As a rule, or if you wish to genuinely go all out, jazz it up with chopped tomatoes, julienne carrot, and bacon bits. I know of one high-end restaurant near us that charged $8 for this single lettuce wedge salad, but that was pre-virus.

• As I write, it is now (gulp!) $16!
• PRINT Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing 2/3 cup mayonnaise 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 1/2 cup granulated white sugar 1 tablespoon white vinegar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds Whisk together the mayonnaise, vegetable oil, sugar, vinegar, salt, and poppy seeds in a medium bowl; blend thoroughly.
• In short, see the print version for the full recipe.
• PRINT Blue Cheese Dressing 3/4 cup sour cream 1 1/3 cup mayonnaise 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled In a large bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, and Worcestershire sauce.

What to Know About Quick Easy Recipes Homemade

Season with mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir in blue cheese.

• Worth noting: cover and refrigerate for 24 hours before serving.
• See the print version for the full recipe.
• PRINT Yogurt Blue Cheese Dressing 8 ounces plain yogurt 4 ounces of crumbled blue cheese Place both ingredients in a bowl and mash together with a fork until well combined.
• Cover and refrigerate for 24 before serving.

How Quick Easy Recipes Homemade Really Works

More importantly, see print version for the full recipe. PRINT Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing 4 ounces cream cheese at room temperature 4 ounces crumbled blue cheese 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 3 drops Tabasco sauce 3 to 4 tablespoons cream or milk Place all ingredients in a bowl and mash together with a fork until well combined.

• Add enough cream or milk to achieve the desired consistency.
• See print version for the full recipe.
• Remember that pRINT French Salad Dressing 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon ketchup 1/3 cup water 1/4 white granulated sugar 1/4 cup white vinegar 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/4 teaspoon paprika 1/4 teaspoon coarse grind black pepper 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/8 teaspoon onion powder Pinch dried thyme Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat.
• Bring to a boil, whisking frequently, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes.

Getting the Most From Quick Easy Recipes Homemade

Cover the dressing until cool, then place it in the refrigerator to chill. Yield: About 1 cup of dressing.

• As a rule, see print version for the full recipe.
• PRINT Western French Dressing 2/3 cup organic ketchup 1/3 cup added virgin olive oil 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1 tablespoon honey 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1/4 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon salt Pour all ingredients into a jar.
• Whisk well until everything is incorporated.
• See print version for the full recipe.

Tips That Make a Difference

In short, pRINT Basic Vinaigrette 1/2 cup olive oil 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1/3 cup red wine vinegar 1 clove garlic, minced 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black ground pepper Place all the ingredients in a jar, cover tightly, and shake highly well. Shake again before applying.

• Variations: Add 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh (or 2 teaspoons dried) of any of the following herbs: tarragon, dill, thyme, oregano, chervil, sage, or parsley.
• See print version for full recipe.
• Worth noting: pRINT Buttermilk Ranch Dressing 1 cup mayonnaise 2/3 cup buttermilk, or equivalent substitute* 1/4 teaspoon white vinegar 1 teaspoon dried parsley 1/8 teaspoon dried dill 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon onion powder 
1 1/2 teaspoons dried chives 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt 1/8 teaspoon dry mustard Place mayonnaise and buttermilk in a bowl and whisk well until completely smooth and free of lumps.
• Add the rest of the ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I save money on quick easy recipes homemade?

Compare prices across a few retailers, look for active coupon codes, and time bigger buys around sales events. Will prices ever settle down to where they were?.

Is it worth shopping around for quick easy recipes homemade?

Usually yes. I wouldn’t bet on it, at least not anytime soon.

What should I check before buying?

Read the terms, confirm any code still works, and factor in shipping or returns. It’s time for us to change our thinking and begin digging in to find each realistic method that we can cut the cost of food without giving up quality and yummy deliciousness.

Smart Ways to Save More on Quick Easy Recipes Homemade

• Stack a coupon code with an existing sale whenever the store allows it.
• Sign up for the retailer newsletter to catch first time and seasonal discounts.
• Compare the final price including shipping, not just the headline number.
• Check for student, military, or first order offers you may qualify for.
• Time non urgent purchases around major sale events for the deepest cuts.

Final Thoughts

Before you check out, line up quick easy recipes homemade against current promotions and any codes you can stack. Small habits like these add up to real savings over a year.

Originally published at everydaycheapskate.com.