My Favorite Homemade Dressings and Marinades

Making your own dressings and marinades at home is usually better than buying store-bought versions. Here’s why:

✅ Healthier Ingredients – You control the ingredients, avoiding unhealthy additives, preservatives, and excess sugar or sodium.

✅ Better Quality Oils – Many store-bought dressings use low-quality vegetable oils (e.g., soybean or canola). You can use extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, or other healthier options.

✅ Customizable – You can adjust flavors, sweetness, acidity, and spice levels to your liking.

✅ Fresher Taste – Fresh ingredients like garlic, lemon juice, and herbs make a noticeable difference in flavor.

✅ Cost-Effective – Homemade versions are often cheaper per serving than store-bought options.

Here are my favorite recipes"

Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing

Good for: all salads, marinating chicken

Ingredients:

·      1/4 cup red wine vinegar

·      2 tbsp dijon mustard

·      1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

·      Zest and juice of 1 lemon (about 4 tbsp juice and 3 tsp zest)

·      1 clove garlic, finely minced

·      1 tbsp honey

·      1 tsp salt

·      1/4 tsp black pepper

·      2 tbsp dried oregano

Instructions:

1.    Combine all ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid, shake until well combined.

2.    Refrigerate and let flavours blend for at least 30 minutes, preferably 2 hours, before serving.

Sesame Ginger Dressing

Good for: Marinating meat, Asian slaws and salads

Ingredients:

·      1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

·      2 tbsp toasted sesame oil

·      1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar

·      1 clove garlic, finely minced

·      2 tbsp soy sauce (use Tamari soy sauce for a gluten free option)

·      1 tbsp honey

·      2 tbsp peel and grated fresh ginger OR 2 tsp ground ginger

Instructions:

1.    Combine all ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid, shake until well combined.

2.    Refrigerate and let flavours blend for at least 30 minutes, preferably 2 hours, before serving.

Avocado Vinaigrette Dressing

Ingredients:

·      1 ripe avocado

·      1/4 cup white wine vinegar

·      Juice of one lemon

·      Salt and pepper, to taste

·      3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Instructions:

1.    In a food processor, combine avocado, vinegar, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Run processor until very smooth and creamy.

2.    With processor running on low, stream in olive oil through the shoot until just combined.

Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing

Good for: All salads, drizzling on fresh tomatoes, drizzling on watermelon, marinating meat.

Ingredients:

·      1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

·      1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

·      2 tsp dijon mustard

·      1 clove garlic, finely minced

·      1 tbsp honey

·      1 tsp salt

·      1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1.    Combine all ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid, shake until well combined.

2.    Refrigerate and let flavours blend for at least 30 minutes, preferably 2 hours, before serving.

Chili-Lime Salad Dressing

Good for: Taco salads, marinating chicken, bean salads

Ingredients:

·      Zest and juice of 2 limes (about 4 tbsp juice and 3 tsp zest)

·      1/4 cup red wine vinegar

·      1 tbsp soy sauce

·      1 tbsp honey

·      1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

·      1 clove garlic, finely minced

·      1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

·      1 tsp ground cumin

·      1/2 tsp salt

Instructions:

1.    Combine all ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid, shake until well combined.

2.    Refrigerate and let flavours blend for at least 30 minutes, preferably 2 hours, before serving.