Recipes Salads Salad Dressing 21 Salad Dressing Recipes for Greens, Vegetables, and More By Food & Wine Editors Updated on February 18, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Eric Wolfinger When you're making a salad, the dressing is essential—it adds that final pop of flavor and lusciousness, and helps bring everything together, too. So we've rounded up some of our favorite salad dressing recipes, from barbecue sauce-inspired dressings (Alabama-style white barbecue sauce dressing, anyone?) to super-simple basic vinaigrettes. With these in your back pocket, you'll have plenty of dressings to try for months to come. 01 of 21 Basic Vinaigrette © John Kernick A good, puckery vinaigrette has a ratio behind it: three parts oil to one part acid. Acid can take the form of vinegar or citrus juice. "Once you understand that, you got this," says chef Hugh Acheson. "Add whatever you want. Go flavor-crazy. Shake that jar. Work those forearms." If you make too much, it will keep in the fridge for seven to 10 days in a sealed container. Get the Recipe 02 of 21 Citrus-Poppy Seed Vinaigrette © Kana Okada Bobby Flay combines lime, orange and grapefruit juices for a dressing that's great on greens or fruit, especially honeydew. Get the Recipe 03 of 21 Basil Vinaigrette © Tina Rupp This simple five-minute dressing is great with an heirloom tomato salad, pasta salad, panzanella salad and grilled fish, chicken or lamb. Get the Recipe 04 of 21 Smoky Orange Vinaigrette © Kana Okada This marmalade-sweetened dressing is quintessential Bobby Flay, with bold flavors that taste best with grain salads or grilled meat. Get the Recipe 05 of 21 Carrot-Miso Dressing © Wendell T. Webber You'll need fresh carrot juice and one medium carrot for this beloved dressing, as well as miso paste, soy sauce, and more. Get the Recipe 06 of 21 Sherry-Shallot Vinaigrette Soaking shallot slices in vinegar makes them deliciously pickle-like. For a more tart flavor, let the shallots soak for up to two hours. Get the Recipe 07 of 21 Citrus Vinaigrette © John Kernick White balsamic vinegar is the magic ingredient in this tasty citrus vinaigrette from cookbook author Joanne Weir. Get the Recipe 08 of 21 Cranberry-Nut Dressing © John Kernick To highlight cranberries in season, Kay Chun uses them in a clever (and very delicious) salad dressing, along with honey, chopped marcona almonds and grapefruit juice. It's delightful on avocado and fennel but could also be used on sturdy greens like chicory and frisée. Get the Recipe 09 of 21 Avocado-Tarragon Dressing © Jonathan Lovekin This multi-purpose dressing makes a perfect dip for crudités and pairs well with grilled steak. Or, swap it for the mayonnaise in chicken salad. Get the Recipe 10 of 21 Alabama-Style White Barbecue Sauce Dressing Eric Wolfinger Inspired by Alabama's claim to saucy fame, this easy mayonnaise-based dressing comes together in just minutes. Apple cider vinegar gives this dressing a nice bite, while garlic and onion powders lend flavor that's reminiscent of classic ranch, but with a tangy twist. Get the Recipe 11 of 21 Caesar-Style Dressing © Tina Rupp Instead of egg yolk, Melissa Rubel Jacobson's Caesar-style dressing calls for mayonnaise. Get the Recipe 12 of 21 Miso, Ginger and Sesame Dressing © Jonathan Lovekin Shiro miso is the base for this dressing, combined with finely grated peeled fresh ginger, distilled white vinegar, canola oil, and toasted sesame seeds. Get the Recipe 13 of 21 Zesty Chile-Lime Vinaigrette Greg DuPree This dressing straddles East and West, just like Vietnamese cooking. Its zippy, fresh flavor is great for a wide range of salads, from mixed lettuces to grated beets and carrots. Get the Recipe 14 of 21 Tomato-Shallot Dressing © Jonathan Lovekin This easy dressing for salads, pasta, fish or grilled chicken steals a technique from Spanish kitchens: grating a whole tomato for perfect skin-free pulp. Get the Recipe 15 of 21 Coriander Vinaigrette © Nicole Franzen Chef Susan Feniger amps up her super-simple vinaigrette with toasted coriander seeds and fresh cilantro. Get the Recipe 16 of 21 Red Wine–Dijon Vinaigrette © Nicole Franzen Chef Ethan Stowell adds intense flavor to his vinaigrette by adding red wine he's reduced on the stove. Get the Recipe 17 of 21 Passion Fruit Vinaigrette Victor Protasio Justin Chapple's fruity vinaigrette is the perfect complement to a salad served alongside grilled meat like chicken or steak. Get the Recipe 18 of 21 Texas Barbecue Sauce Vinaigrette Eric Wolfinger In the Lone Star State, thin and vinegary barbecue sauce is mopped onto meats as they smoke to keep them moist and flavorful. For ease, this recipe calls for prepared barbecue sauce, which gives the dressing outstanding long-simmered flavor. Get the Recipe 19 of 21 Creamy Sesame-Garlic Tofu Dressing © Eva Kolenko This versatile dressing from Kay Chun is delicious on anything from salad to grilled meat and fish. Get the Recipe 20 of 21 Upland's Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Greg DuPree This creamy dressing from chef Justin Smillie calls for fresh herbs, hot sauce, shallot, and more. Get the Recipe 21 of 21 Sweet and Tangy Mustard Dressing Eric Wolfinger Mustard sauce—South Carolina's go-to sauce for 'cue—gets its signature flavor from a surprisingly humble ingredient—plain yellow mustard. Bolstered by honey, cider vinegar, and a dash of chile powder, this dressing's sharp flavor will wake up any salad. Get the Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit