These homemade dressings and vinaigrettes are a freshly made and full-flavoured alternative to store-bought. Just a few on-hand pantry basics are all you need to get started, and in less than 5 minutes you’re ready enjoy on your preferred leafy greens, potato or other vegetable, pasta or grain-based salads.
Place ingredients in a tightly sealed container or bowl, then shake or whisk to combine. Each of these makes around 1 cup (250 mL) or enough for about 8 salads. Any extra dressing can be refrigerated and used within 2 weeks.
1) French Vinaigrette
2/3 cup (150 mL) olive oil + 1/3 cup (75 mL) red wine vinegar + 2 tsp (10 mL) French's® Dijon Mustard + 1/2 tsp (2 mL) McCormick® Gourmet Fines Herbes + pinch each salt and pepper.
Try it: Toss or drizzle on tomato salad or mixed baby greens and watercress.
2) Honey Cider Vinaigrette
2/3 cup (150 mL) olive oil + 1/4 cup (60 mL) cider vinegar + 1 tbsp (15 mL) Billy Bee® Liquid Honey + 2 tsp (10 mL) French's® Dijon Mustard + 1 tsp (5 mL) McCormick® Gourmet Freeze-Dried Chives + pinch each salt and pepper.
Try it: Toss or drizzle with romaine lettuce, chopped cooked chicken, apples or grapes and almonds.
3) Balsamic Vinaigrette
2/3 cup (150 mL) extra-virgin olive oil + 1/4 cup (60 mL) balsamic vinegar + 1 tsp (5 mL) French's® Dijon Mustard + 1/2 tsp (2 mL) McCormick® Gourmet Sweet Basil Leaves + pinch each salt and pepper.
Try it: Toss or drizzle on baby spinach or arugula with mushrooms and crumbled cooked bacon.
4) Italian Vinaigrette
2/3 cup (150 mL) extra-virgin olive oil + 1/3 cup (75 mL) red wine vinegar + 2 tsp (10 mL) French's® Dijon Mustard + 1/2 tsp (2 mL) McCormick® Gourmet Italian Seasoning + pinch each salt and pepper.
Try it: Stir into pasta salad made with cooked fusilli or farfalle, chopped Italian salami and celery, halved cherry tomatoes and grated Parmesan cheese.
5) Creamy Dill Dressing
1/3 cup (75 mL) each sour cream and mayonnaise + 2 tbsp (30 mL) each fresh lemon juice and olive oil + 2 tsp (10 mL) French's® Dijon Mustard + 1 tsp (5 mL) McCormick® Dried Dill Weed + pinch each salt and pepper.
Try it: Stir into potato salad made with cooked chopped potatoes, chopped celery and dill pickles. Or, serve on the side with fresh raw vegetables like carrot and celery sticks, sliced cucumber, and cauliflower or broccoli florets for dipping.
6) Creamy Caesar Dressing
1/2 cup (125 mL) olive oil + 1/3 cup (75 mL) mayonnaise + 2 tbsp (30 mL) white wine vinegar + 2 tsp (10 mL) French's® Worcestershire Sauce + 1 tsp (5 mL) Club House® Dehydrated Minced Garlic + pinch each salt and pepper.
Try it: Toss with chopped romaine lettuce with grated Parmesan cheese, croutons and crumbled cooked bacon. For a dinner-style Caesar salad, top with chopped, cooked chicken, grilled and sliced steak or cooked shrimp.
7) Turmeric Tahini Dressing
1/2 cup (125 mL) olive oil + 1/3 cup (75 mL) fresh lemon juice + 3 tbsp (45 mL) tahini + 2 tsp (10 mL) Billy Bee® Liquid Honey + 1/2 tsp (2 mL) Club House® Dehydrated Minced Garlic + 1/2 tsp (2 mL) McCormick® Ground Turmeric + pinch each salt and pepper.
Try it: Drizzle over cooked and cooled asparagus topped with sliced hard-cooked eggs or flaked hot-smoked salmon.
