Homemade Salad Dressing: compare the 6 variations
Time, effort, key ingredients, diets, nutrition and cleanup side by side, so you can pick the one that fits tonight.
Which should I make?
- Lightest Buttermilk HerbAbout 90 calories a serving, against 150 calories or more for the others (an estimate).
- Kid helper Balsamic VinaigretteA child can do 5 of the 5 steps: no knife, no heat.
- Make it ahead Buttermilk HerbIt tastes best after a few hours in the fridge, so it is a great make-ahead.
- Vegan Balsamic VinaigretteThe only one that fits vegan, going by the ingredient lines.
Side by side
| Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette | Sesame Ginger | Balsamic Vinaigrette | Greek Red Wine Vinaigrette | Buttermilk Herb | Chunky Blue Cheese | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total time | 5 min | 5 min | 5 min | 15 min | 40 min | 40 min |
| Prep | 5 min | 5 min | 5 min | 5 min | 10 min | 10 min |
| Level | Easy | Easy | Easy | Easy | Easy | Easy |
| Steps | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 4 |
| Serves | about 3/4 cup | about 3/4 cup | about 3/4 cup | about 3/4 cup | about 1 1/2 cups | about 1 1/2 cups |
| Key ingredients | lemon juice, Dijon mustard and honey | rice vinegar, soy sauce and honey | balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard and maple syrup | red wine vinegar, lemon juice and Dijon mustard | mayonnaise, sour cream and buttermilk | sour cream, buttermilk and blue cheese |
| Only in this one | lemon zest | rice vinegar, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil and fresh ginger | balsamic vinegar and maple syrup | dried oregano and red wine vinegar | chives, parsley, dill and onion powder | Worcestershire sauce and blue cheese |
| Dietary | ||||||
| Calories | 170 | 150 | 180 | 160 | 90 | 150 |
| Protein | 0 g | <1 g | 0 g | 0 g | <1 g | 4 g |
| Carbs | 2 g | 4 g | 4 g | 1 g | 1 g | 2 g |
| Fat | 18 g | 15 g | 18 g | 18 g | 9 g | 14 g |
| Cleanup | None | None | 5/5 1 thing to wash | None | 5/5 1 thing to wash | 5/5 1 thing to wash |
| Kid helper | Yes, 3 of 4 steps | Yes, 3 of 3 steps | Yes, 5 of 5 steps | Yes, 4 of 4 steps | Yes, 5 of 6 steps | Yes, 4 of 4 steps |
Nutrition is per serving. Estimate from USDA FoodData Central; not medical or dietary advice. Dietary: Based on the ingredient list and estimated nutrition; check labels; not medical advice. Cleanup score: 5 means one thing to wash, 1 means six or more. We count pots, pans, bowls and appliances, not the knife, board and spoons.
How we pick
- Fastest: the shortest total time, at least 10 minutes ahead of the next.
- Easiest: the lowest level (easy, medium, hard), then at least 2 fewer steps.
- Lightest: the fewest estimated calories a serving, at least 15% and 40 calories under the next (only when two or more have an estimate).
- Kid helper: the variation where a child can do the biggest share of the steps (no knife, no heat), when that's not all of them equally.
- Least cleanup: the best cleanup score, a point ahead of the next.
- Make it ahead: the only variation whose notes say how to make it ahead.
- Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free or dairy-free: the variation that fits a diet the others don't, from the ingredient lines.
A pick needs a clear winner; close calls are left out.