I haven’t bought salad dressing in over six months. Store bought dressing doesn’t taste as fresh, flavorful and healthy as the homemade stuff. The shelf dressing is filled with preservatives and salts. Making it at home is much cheaper and allows you to customize it to your own tastebuds. I love using lemon, flavored balsamic, and different oils to create different flavors. Always try to make a homemade dressing that’ll go well with what’s in your salad. If there are a lot of fruits, I tend to go with lemon, poppyseed, strawberry balsamic, olive oil and poppy seeds.
My salad yesterday had roma tomatoes, avocados, and italian blend lettuce and so I used an organic all purpose seasoning, parmesan cheese, and light olive oil! It was the perfect combo for a basic salad! I didn’t measure it, so start light and then add more parmesan or seasoning depending on your preference.
Adding grilled chicken, steak, or shrimp would be an awesome addition to this salad! This dressing would also be a fantastic marinade.
Linda @ The Fitty says
I love simple recipes. Thanks, Tara.
Lean says
What kind of olive oil do you use?
Cassie says
I love using pepper jack jelly, lemon juice and Sriracha! Never fails!
Taralynn McNitt says
That’s one crazy combo!
Liz says
Check out Temecula Olive Oil Company. I absolutely LOVE their olive oils and vinegars. My favorites are the D’Luscious Lemon Olive Oil and California Balsamic Bianco with Honey. YUM!
https://www.temeculaoliveoil.com/balsamic-vinegar
Taralynn McNitt says
Yum! Thanks!
Kams says
Yummy, I must make this! I’m not a fan of store bought either.
Taralynn McNitt says
Glad you liked it!:)
Kelsey Meshias says
I’m just like you when it comes to store-bought dressing, it’s so icky. The all purpose spice is a great idea.
jenn says
One of my favorite dressings is the one my aunt makes. Although her secret ingredient is MSG mixed with oil, vinegar and black pepper. Don’t eat it that often since she lives far away though.
Taralynn McNitt says
lol sometimes the best kind is the worst kind but owell! 😉
Christina B says
This looks so good and so simple to make! Do you use real shreaded parmesean cheese or the powdered kind that comes in a container?
Taralynn McNitt says
You could use either! I use whatever I have in the house and in this post, I used the grated!
Kate says
I live in Oxford, MS, and we have a new store here called J. Olive, an oil and vinegar specialty shop. They have all sorts of flavors and you can create your own right there in the store or buy a few bottles to take home and mix yourself. I only buy my olive oils and vinegars from specialty shops like that now instead of a grocery store. You would love this place!
Taralynn McNitt says
That is awesome! I think we have a place like that here in Charlotte. 🙂
Ashton Jury says
I love making my own salad dressings. The first time I ever went to France I was in love with all the different vinaigrette’s they had on the salads and how simple they were! I used to be all about ranch, and I think I hardly touch it now unless I’m enjoying some buffalo wings! I have to say making my own does save money, and since I started the Whole 30 I’m shocked by the amount of sugar I find in store bought ones and just the other random junk they add to them. Keep up the good work!