The healthier salad dressing swap that takes 5 minutes

You can build a salad with great greens, vegetables, and protein, then undo some of that effort with the dressing.

Many bottled dressings are made with refined oils, added sugar, and ingredients you probably would not use at home.

The good news is that homemade dressing is easier than it sounds—and it usually tastes better too.

Why homemade dressing is worth it

Most store-bought dressings rely on refined oils, sweeteners, and stabilizers to keep them shelf-stable.

Homemade versions let you use ingredients you probably already have, like olive oil, lemon juice, tahini, vinegar, and herbs.

There is also a nutritional reason to include some fat in your dressing. Fat helps your body absorb nutrients like vitamins A, E, and K from vegetables.

That means an olive oil-based dressing is not just more flavorful. It can also help you get more out of the salad itself.

Four easy dressings to know by heart

These all take about five minutes and use pantry staples.

Classic lemon vinaigrette
3 tablespoons olive oil, 1½ tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.

Apple cider tahini
2 tablespoons tahini, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon maple syrup, 2 tablespoons water, and salt.

Simple balsamic
3 tablespoons olive oil, 1½ tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and salt.

Ginger sesame
2 tablespoons sesame oil, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari, 1 teaspoon grated ginger, and 1 teaspoon honey.

Store any of them in a jar in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Make a few and rotate them

One of the easiest ways to keep salads and grain bowls from getting boring is to change the dressing.

The same chicken and vegetable bowl can taste completely different with a lemon vinaigrette one day and a tahini dressing the next.

Pick two dressings to make at the start of the week and use them on salads, bowls, roasted vegetables, or grilled protein.

You do not need a dozen dressing recipes. You just need a few that you actually like.