Who needs store-bought salad dressing when home-made is way better? Here are 4 salad dressing recipes that you need to know by heart! Use them as dressing, or as a dip. Our home-made Italian dressing can even be used to marinade fish or chicken! Making your own home-made salad dressings are super simple and quick to make, even if you are short on time.

Easy Ranch Dressing

This dressing is best when made fresh, but it can sit for up to 3 days in the fridge. This recipe makes enough to dress 1 salad.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp buttermilk
• 1 tbsp mayonnaise
• salt and pepper
• 1/2 tsp rice vinegar (optional)
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder (optional)
• 1-3 tsp finely chopped fresh chives, mint, or parsley (optional)

Instructions

1. Whisk together buttermilk and mayonnaise. Season with salt and pepper.
2. If you like, whisk in rice vinegar, garlic powder, and herbs.
3. Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Blue Cheese Dressing

This dressing is perfect as a dip, or drizzling over iceberg lettuce topped with bacon bits. This recipe makes about 1 1/2 cups of dressing, and can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Ingredients

• 1 cup blue cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• salt and pepper

Instructions

1. In a bowl, use a fork to mash mash the cheese and sour cream together until a chunky paste is formed.
2. Mix in buttermilk, mayonnaise, and lemon juice. Taste and season with salt and pepper

Balsamic Vinaigrette

This balsamic vinaigrette is a salad staple that every cook should know. Really simple, this barely even needs a recipe. With only 4 simple ingredients, this dressing is simple to make but big on flavor. Makes about 1 cup of dressing. This dressing will keep on the counter for several weeks, but refrigerate if you add any fresh ingredients

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• salt and pepper
• Extras: mustard, shallots, garlic, fresh/dried herbs, honey or brown sugar.

Instructions

1. Mix olive oil and balsamic vinegar in a jar or other air-tight container.
2. Add a big pinch of salt and a little bit of black pepper to taste. Screw on lid and shake well.
3. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.

Italian Salad Dressing

Red and white wine vinegar add plenty of punch to this salad dressing. The mustard adds the perfect tanginess and also thickens the dressing, while the honey helps balance all the ingredients. This dressing is not only for salads, but can be used as a marinade for fish and chicken, too. You can also use it as a veggie dip. This recipe makes 1 1/2 cups of dressing, and can be stored in the fridge for several weeks.

Ingredients

• 1 cup canola oil
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 garlic clove, pressed
• 2 tbsp finely chopped shallots
• 2 tbsp finely chopped red bell pepper
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tsp salt (add more to taste)
• 1/4 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp dried marjoram
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes
• black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Combine all the ingredients in an air-tight jar or container.
2. Shake well until the mixture is well-combined and until it has thickened.
3. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.

Photos: The Kitchn.