Basic Salad dressing

• 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar, (or other vinegar)

• 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard (or yellow, brown, spicy)

• 1 Tbsp Date nectar, (or other sweeteners)

Orange dressing

• 1/4 cup orange juice (juice from 2 oranges)

• 1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar

• 2 tsp yellow or white miso

• 1 Tbsp maple syrup

• 1 tsp minced garlic

• 1 tsp ginger (grated, minced, or dry ground)

Peanut Sauce

• 2 Tbsp Bragg's liquid aminos, or soy sauce

• 1 Tbsp rice vinegar, or red wine vinegar

• 1 tsp minced garlic, (I use the kind in jar)

• 3 Tbsp natural peanut butter, or 6 Tbsp PB2 + 3 Tbsp water

• 1/4 cup almond milk, more if needed to thin

• 1/2 Tbsp maple syrup (optional)

• 1 tsp Thai chili paste, or 1/4 tsp Sriracha

Raspberry Salad Dressing

• 2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries

• 2 tsp Dijon mustard

• 1-2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

• 1 Tbsp fresh herbs, such as thyme or rosemary, freshly chopped (optional)

• 1-2 tsp maple syrup, or to taste

• 1/4 tsp salt, or to taste

• 1/4 tsp black pepper, or to taste

Vegan Ranch Dressing

• 1 cup low-fat mayo

• 1/4 cup almond milk, or other plant-based milk

• 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar

• 1/2 tsp sweetener, I used monk fruit

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp parsley flakes

• 1/2 tsp dill

• 1/2 tsp basil

• 1 tsp chives

• 1/4 tsp black pepper

• 1/2 tsp black salt (gives unique flavor), regular salt will work too

Instructions

1. Place all dressing ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk together well.

2. Note: I really like to use the jar minced garlic in this recipe because it is milder. Fresh works well too.

3. Serve on a green salad, pasta, wraps, slaw, or anything else you can think of.

Veggies

Some of my favorite things to put in a salad are greens like spinach, romaine, kale, and arugula.

Other great veggie options include tomatoes, shredded carrots, diced celery, cucumber slices, broccoli florets, cauliflower, and so much more!

Grains, beans, & fruit

A great salad can be piled high with grains like brown rice, millet, or bulgur. Other great additions are protein-packed beans and energizing and refreshing fruit.

Some of the fruits that I love to add to my salad are canteloupe, honeydew melon, strawberries, mango, and mandarin orange slices.

Choosing the right salad dressing

The downfall of many seeking these healthy benefits is what’s on top of their salad.

Unfortunately, most salad dressings are loaded with lots of sugar and artery-clogging saturated fat.

Luckily, oil-free and dairy-free salad dressing options can provide a power-punch of flavor for these culinary masterpieces without all the processed artery-clogging junk.

The deliciously easy dressings listed below also happen to be gluten-free. They will keep your salad and waistline healthy and happy!