If you’ve been focusing on a low carb diet to lose those unwanted pounds, you may be sabotaging your efforts with store bought salad dressing. The unfortunate truth is, salad dressings you find stocked on the shelf of your local grocery store are often full of chemicals, preservatives and sugar. Improve the taste and quality by making your own! Here are three healthy, delicious and nutritious salad dressings you’ve raved about.
Italian Dressing
Italian dressing is so versatile! It can be used for salads (topped with grilled salmon, yum!), dressed on chicken, or even as a marinade to put on roasted veggies like cauliflower. The only problem is, the store-bought version is loaded with preservatives to extend its shelf life. This homemade recipe is healthier and tastier than anything you’ll find in the store! Here’s what you’ll need:
• 2/3 cup olive oil
• 3 Tbsp. fresh parmesan, grated finely
• ¼ cup red wine vinegar
• 2 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. dried parsley
• 1 Tbsp. freshly minced basil
• Juice of ½ medium sized lemon
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. honey
• ¼ tsp. black pepper
Mix by shaking vigorously, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Enjoy!
Ranch Dressing (We’re Saving You Serious Calories Here!)
Ranch dressing is very simple to make, and takes about five minutes to execute! Stop buying the store-bought version, and save time and money in the long run. Here’s what you’ll need:
• 2 cups of sour cream
• 2 cups of mayo
• ½-1 cup of milk (or buttermilk if you prefer)
• ½ tsp. onion powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp. dried parsley
• 1 tsp. diced up dill
• ½ tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. pepper
Mix everything together well, and refrigerator for an hour before serving. If you have home grown herbs, this is the perfect recipe to use a variety of them, including dill, oregano, parsley—you name it.
Lemon Vinaigrette
Lemon vinaigrette dressing is another highly versatile dressing to keep on hand, year-round. Marinate chicken or chicken before it hits the grill, or pour it on top of gyros. You can’t lose—just as long as you like the lemon flavor (it’s got a bold, delicious kick to it!) Here’s what you’ll need:
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
• ¼ cup red wine vinegar
• Zest and juice of one large lemon
• 1 Tbsp. honey
• 1 tsp. salt
• ¼ tsp. pepper
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 Tbsp. ground oregano
Mix everything together well (shake vigorously!), refrigerate for 30 minutes or more, and enjoy!
