Promises to eat healthy in 2025? These dressings will help you keep them

A salad without a good dressing is like a movie without a soundtrack—it’s just missing something. The right dressing doesn’t just complement your greens; it transforms them. These recipes aren’t your average store-bought blends. They’re fresh, vibrant, and packed with personality, just like your meals should be. Get mixing.

Sunshine salad dressing

Ingredients: ½ cup plain Greek yoghurt, ¼ cup olive oil, ¼ cup Dijon mustard, 3–4 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or more lemon juice), 1 garlic clove (minced), ½ tsp sea salt, freshly ground black pepper (to taste).

Method: Combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk until smooth. Taste and adjust sweetness with more honey if needed. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Salad ingredient recommendations: Spinach, avocado, berries, pear slices, almonds, carrots, grilled zucchini

Creamy avocado dressing

Ingredients: 2 cups fresh cilantro, 1 garlic clove, ¼ cup lime juice, 2 tsp maple syrup or honey, ½ tsp ground coriander, ½ tsp sea salt, ½ cup olive oil. For creaminess: 1 avocado or ½ cup plain Greek yoghurt.

Method: In a food processor, combine cilantro, garlic, lime juice, maple syrup, coriander, and salt. With the blade running, drizzle in olive oil until smooth. For a creamy version, blend in avocado or Greek yoghurt.

Salad ingredient recommendations: Baby kale, cucumber, celery, tomato, grilled sweet potato, cilantro

Chipotle ranch dressing

Ingredients: ½ cup Greek yoghurt, ¼ cup mayonnaise, 1 chipotle pepper in adobo, 1 tsp apple cider vinegar, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp dried dill, ¼ tsp sea salt.

Method: In a food processor, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. Adjust spice levels by adding more chipotle if desired.

Salad ingredient recommendations: Black beans, jalapeños, red belle pepper, aragula, grilled corn

ACV dressing

Ingredients: ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp maple syrup or honey, 1 garlic clove (grated), ¼ tsp Dijon mustard, ¼ tsp sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, ¼ cup olive oil.

Method: Whisk apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, garlic, mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking until emulsified. Alternatively, shake all ingredients in a jar with a lid until combined.

Salad ingredient recommendations: Romaine lettuce, apple slices, dried cranberries, grilled squash, goat’s cheese

Lead image: Instagram / Malaika Arora

Other images: Pexels

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