How to Make Salad Dressing

This homemade salad dressing recipe offers two flavorful options: a broken dressing and a creamy emulsified dressing. Made with healthy ingredients like olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, and balsamic vinegar, this easy-to-make dressing is perfect for green salads, grilled vegetables, or even as a dip. The broken dressing is a tangy, light vinaigrette, while the emulsified dressing is rich and velvety, providing a smooth texture.

Ingredients
For Broken Dressing:

• ½ cup oil (grapeseed, vegetable, or canola)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
• ¼ shallot, minced
• ½ teaspoon mustard (stone-ground preferred)
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of black pepper

For Emulsified Dressing:

• ½ cup lemon juice
• ½ shallot, roughly chopped
• 1 ½ teaspoons mustard (stone-ground preferred)
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 clove garlic
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup oil (grapeseed, vegetable, or canola)
• ½ cup olive oil

Instructions

For Broken Dressing:

1. In a mason jar, combine the grapeseed (or vegetable/canola) oil, olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, minced shallot, mustard, salt, and black pepper.
2. Seal the jar tightly and shake well to mix the ingredients before use.

For Emulsified Dressing:

1. Combine the lemon juice, shallot, mustard, honey, garlic, and salt in a food processor or blender.
2. Blend the ingredients until smooth, about 30 seconds.
3. Slowly stream in both oils while blending continuously to emulsify the dressing.
4. Once fully combined, pour the dressing into a mason jar or a dressing container and use as desired.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This versatile salad dressing recipe offers two delicious options: a broken dressing that’s quick and easy, and a smooth emulsified dressing for a creamier texture. The broken dressing is perfect for a light, tangy vinaigrette, while the emulsified version brings a rich, velvety finish to your salads. Both options are flavor-packed, with the right balance of tart lemon, sweet honey, and sharp mustard. The dressings are incredibly customizable to suit your personal taste and are made from simple, healthy ingredients like olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and shallots.

Tips

• Shake well: For the broken dressing, be sure to shake the mason jar vigorously to combine the ingredients well before each use.
• Control the consistency: For a thicker emulsified dressing, add a little more mustard or honey. For a thinner dressing, reduce the amount of oil slightly.
• Taste as you go: Always taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning (salt, pepper, vinegar, or honey) based on your preference.

Variations and Substitutions

• Different oils: You can experiment with other oils like avocado oil, walnut oil, or flaxseed oil for a different flavor profile.
• Vinegar alternatives: Swap balsamic vinegar for red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or white wine vinegar for a different tanginess.
• Herb-infused: Add fresh or dried herbs like oregano, thyme, or basil to either dressing for a herby twist.
• Dairy-free: Both dressings are naturally dairy-free, but you can also add a splash of non-dairy milk (such as almond or oat) to the emulsified version for a creamier texture.

FAQs

• Can I make this salad dressing in advance?
  Yes, both the broken and emulsified dressings can be made ahead of time. Store them in a sealed mason jar or dressing container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
• How can I thicken the emulsified dressing?
  If the emulsified dressing is too thin, add more mustard or a bit of Greek yogurt for extra creaminess.
• What is the difference between broken and emulsified dressing?
  A broken dressing separates after mixing (like a vinaigrette), while an emulsified dressing stays smooth and combined due to the slow incorporation of oils and blending.

Serving

These salad dressings are perfect for topping your favorite green salads, but they also work well as a drizzle over grilled vegetables, grain bowls, or roasted meats. The emulsified dressing can even be used as a dip for veggies or fruits like apple slices.

Suggestions

• Boost flavor: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to either dressing for some added heat.
• Sweeten it up: For a sweeter touch, try adding maple syrup or agave nectar in place of the honey.
• Pair with nuts: Pair your salad with toasted nuts like almonds or walnuts for added texture and flavor.