Article Summary:
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Homemade organic dressings are healthier and taste fresher.
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Use quality oils, vinegars, and seasonings for the best flavour.
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These 10 recipes cover creamy, tangy, sweet, and savoury options.
Dressings make the salad
A good salad dressing isn’t just a finishing touch—it’s the key to making greens irresistible. Store-bought options are often loaded with refined oils, sugar, and preservatives. When you make them yourself, especially with organic ingredients, you get bold, clean flavours and complete control over what goes into your body. Here are 10 fresh ideas to keep your salads exciting and healthy all year long.
1. Classic lemon-olive oil vinaigrette
Whisk together 3 tablespoons cold-pressed organic olive oil, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, a pinch of sea salt, and cracked black pepper. Ideal for green salads and roasted vegetables.
2. Creamy tahini dressing
Blend 2 tablespoons organic tahini, juice of half a lemon, 1 small clove organic garlic (minced), 1 tablespoon olive oil, and a splash of water until smooth. Great on quinoa bowls or kale salads.
3. Honey-mustard dressing
Mix 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon organic honey, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, and 3 tablespoons olive oil. Works beautifully on spinach, pear, and walnut salads.
4. Balsamic vinaigrette
Combine 3 tablespoons organic balsamic vinegar, 5 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and a touch of maple syrup or honey. Perfect for berry and goat cheese salads.
5. Creamy avocado dressing
Blend 1 ripe organic avocado, juice of 1 lime, a handful of fresh coriander, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and a splash of water. Delicious on taco salads or as a veggie dip.
6. Yogurt-herb dressing
Stir together ½ cup organic plain yogurt, juice of half a lemon, chopped parsley, chives, and dill. Season with salt and pepper. Great for cucumber salads and potato salads.
7. Asian-inspired sesame dressing
Whisk 2 tablespoons organic toasted sesame oil, 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari), 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon honey, and a pinch of fresh grated ginger. Perfect for slaws and noodle salads.
8. Citrus-ginger dressing
Mix juice of 1 orange, 1 tablespoon grated organic ginger, 3 tablespoons olive oil, and a dash of apple cider vinegar. Adds brightness to mixed greens and beetroot salads.
9. Garlic-cashew cream dressing
Blend ½ cup soaked organic cashews, 1 clove garlic, juice of 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and water to desired consistency. Works on grain bowls and roasted veggie salads.
10. Spicy chili-lime dressing
Whisk 3 tablespoons olive oil, juice of 1 lime, 1 teaspoon organic chili flakes, and a small minced clove of garlic. Great for adding heat to avocado or corn salads.
Fresh flavour, clean ingredients
Once you start making your own organic dressings, it’s hard to go back to store-bought. They’re fresher, healthier, and infinitely customisable. At Orchard Food, we stock everything you need—from cold-pressed oils and vinegars to fresh organic herbs—so you can shake up a jar of pure flavour anytime. Try one this week, and let your salads become the meal you look forward to.
