Cool down with 3 refreshing homemade summer salad dressings—healthy, easy to make, and perfect for light meals on hot days!
Summer is here and this weather has me craving crisp, fresh salads! When the temps rise, I find myself wanting meals that are light, refreshing, and easy to get on the table. A great salad with a delicious dressing is key to pulling it all together!
Today I’m sharing three of my go-to dressings that I love making on repeat this time of year. These are the ones I reach for when I want something bright and flavorful without spending a ton of time in the kitchen. We’ve got a Champagne Vinaigrette that’s light and elegant, a Cilantro Lime dressing that adds a zesty punch, and a creamy, dairy-free Cashew Dressing that’s as versatile as it is delicious.
If you're looking for simple ways to level up your summer salads, you’re going to love these!
Champagne Vinaigrette
This Champagne Vinaigrette is a delicious, elevated take on a classic vinaigrette. This recipe comes together in just a few minutes, and is sure to leave you wanting more! If you make a lot of your own salad dressings, it's worth investing in a few different kinds of vinegar. Something as simple as using a Champagne vinegar instead of a balsamic can really help change things up!
Champagne Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup Champagne vinegar
- 1-2 tsp honey (optional)
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Whisk together (or blend in a blender or food processor):– 1/2 c olive oil– 1/4 c Champagne vinaigrette– 1-2 tsp honey (optional)– S&P to taste
- Shake well and drizzle over salad when ready to use.
Cilantro Lime Dressing
This versatile dressing is perfect to serve with “matchstick” salads like broccoli, carrot, jicama, and bell pepper or tossed with a cabbage slaw. instead of using a mayo-based dressing. I also like to serve it over a steak salad with romaine. This dressing is perfect for adding to your summer salad rotation!
Cilantro Lime Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, loosely packed
- 1 shallot
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Roughly chop 1 shallot.
- In a blender add 1/4 cup lime juice, 1 cup cilantro leaves, 1 roughly chopped shallot.
- Blend until ingredients are liquefied.
- With blender still running on low, slowly drizzle in 1/2 cup olive oil.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper
Creamy Cashew Dressing
Looking for an alternative to mayo-based salad dressings? This recipe is rich and creamy without using any dairy! This is a heavier dressing and needs greens like kale or chard that will hold their shape well. Sliced heirloom tomatoes, green onions, chives, and basil make excellent compliments. Such a good, homemade option for a summer salad dressing!
Creamy Cashew Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp distilled white vinegar
- 1 tsp smooth Dijon mustard
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 F
- Place cashews in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Roast for 5-10 minutes.
- Bring 1c water to a boil. Place roasted cashews in a large bowl and just cover with boiling water. Allow to stand for 30 minutes.
- In a blender add:– soaked cashews– 1 small garlic clove– 1 tsp lemon juice– 1 T apple cider vinegar– 1 tsp white distilled vinegar– 1 tsp smooth Dijon mustard
- Blend until ingredients are liquefied adding additional soaking water as needed forcreamy consistency. Season w/ S&P. (Note: this can take up to 3-4 minutes of blending.You want a very smooth texture.)
Are these homemade summer salad dressings good for meal prep?
Yes! These salad dressings are perfect for throwing together and then using through out the week. Each salad dressing will last around one week in a closed container in the fridge. Even better—try doubling up the recipe to use on veggies and greens for lunches during busy weeks!
What's the nutrition like for these homemade summer salad dressings?
I love that these salad dressings are tasty AND nourishing. Using whole ingredients helps keep the flavors fresh, light, and satisfying. Here are some of the details for ingredients in these dressings:
Olive Oil (Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Monounsaturated Fats, Antioxidants)
Due to the type of fat it contains, olive oil may reduce inflammation. It also reduces the risk of Alzheimer's, stroke and heart disease. Make sure to get high quality extra virgin olive oil, as it retains more antioxidants and nutrients.
Honey
Honey has antibacterial and antioxidant properties, which are strongest in darker honey. Buy raw local honey when possible as filtering the honey can diminish its nutrients.
Lime (Vitamin C, Iron, Calcium, Vitamin B6)
The combination of vitamin C and antioxidants make limes great for your immune system. Vitamin C is also highly beneficial for your skin, with anti-aging effects. Limes are also good for your heart, beneficial for preventing kidney stones and may even help prevent certain types of cancer.
Cilantro
The combination of vitamin C and antioxidants make limes great for your immune system. Vitamin C is also highly beneficial for your skin, with anti-aging effects. Limes are also good for your heart, beneficial for preventing kidney stones and may even help prevent certain types of cancer.
Shallot
With more fiber than other onion varieties, shallots also provide iron, potassium, folate and zinc. They're also high in antioxidants and other beneficial plant compounds.
Garlic (Beneficial Sulfur Compounds, Manganese, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Selenium)
Garlic has been used in homeopathic remedies for thousands of years and is thought to reduce the risk of heart disease, high cholesterol and some types of cancer. Eating garlic may also help prevent colds and other minor illnesses.
Scientists believe these substantial health benefits may stem primarily from garlic's sulfur compounds such as allicin, diallyl disulfide and sallyl cysteine.
Lemon (Vitamin C, Citric Acid)
Just one lemon provides 51% of the daily recommended vitamin C. This is important not only to fight colds, but for long term health as studies show consuming produce with vitamin C helps prevent heart disease and stroke. Consuming lemons may also help protect against anemia and kidney stones, likely due to their citric acid content.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is anecdotally believed to have all sorts of benefits. One of those benefits best supported by science is its ability to help stabilize blood sugar. Apple cider vinegar also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.
I want more healthy, homemade summer salad dressings!
Healthy Honey Mustard Dressing
This honey mustard recipe is the perfect combo of sweet and tangy. This dressing is perfect over mixed greens with chicken, fruit, and nuts!
Middle Eastern Salad Recipe with Homemade Tahini Sauce
This creamy and delicious dressing is great drizzled over romaine, chickpeas, and veggies. A fresh, delicious, pairing for summery evenings!
Easy Paleo Ranch Dressing Recipe
Looking for a ranch recipe that is tasty, but avoids all the processed ingredients of store-bought dressing? This recipe is nostalgic, delicious, and paleo!
Lemon Herb Vinaigrette
This vinaigrette is the perfect, light pairing for a bright summer salad. Even better—it does double duty as a delicious marinade for chicken!
Superfood Salad with Lemon-Balsamic Vinaigrette
This quick, healthy recipe comes from my friend, Toby Amidor. With it's easy prep and fresh flavors, its perfect for life on-the-go.
Strawberry Vinaigrette Recipe w/ Lemon & Poppyseeds
This salad recipe is perfectly sweet and tangy. Boost the protein by adding some salmon or chicken, and you've got a refreshing, filling meal!
Greek Salad with Chicken and Greek Vinaigrette Recipe
With only 5 ingredients, this salad dressing combines bright flavors with easy prep. Such a good option for anything, from a picnic to a dinner party!
Southwestern Steak Salad with Paleo Salsa Ranch Dressing
This salad recipe combines lots of crisp veggies with a nice creamy “ranch” dressing. This ranch uses cocnut milk instead of dairy, making it the perfect, paleo recipe!
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