Everyday Cooking

Everyday Cooking

3-Ingredient Salad Dressing Combos That Will Save Your Lunch and Dinner

Posted on May 30, 2019 by Allison Day

Summer is prime time for meal-sized salad lunches and dinners. With the variety of produce and fresh-off-the-grill toppings, it’s easy to stay excited about having it for one, even two meals of the day – but the dressing can make or break the dish, and the classic oil and vinegar combination quickly becomes tiresome. What’s a salad lover to do? Enter these 15 genius 3-ingredient dressing combos. From creamy to bright to smoky and thick, this list has you covered!

  • Olive Oil + Sundried Tomatoes + Sherry Vinegar
     
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    Olive Oil + Sundried Tomatoes + Sherry Vinegar

    <p>A simple riff on bottled Italian salad dressing, this vinaigrette, with olive oil, diced sundried tomatoes and sherry vinegar was made for both caprese and panzanella salads. If you don’t have sherry vinegar, use balsamic instead.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/artichoke-and-tomato-panzanella/16793/" target="_blank"><strong>Giada de Laurentiis’ Artichoke and Tomato Panzanella</strong></a></p>
  • Coconut Milk + Sweet Chili Jam + Lime Juice
     
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    Coconut Milk + Sweet Chili Jam + Lime Juice

    <p>A creamy yet bright dressing (<a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/healthy-eating/photos/dairy-free-dinners" rel="noopener" target="_blank">hold the dairy</a>) can be made in a pinch using thick, canned coconut milk, sweet chili jam and fresh lime juice. Pair with a butter lettuce and avocado salad, or drizzle on top of <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/grilled-snapper-vera-cruz/16263/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">grilled fish</a>, steak or chicken.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/everything-green-salad-with-green-goddess-dressing/13900/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Lynn Crawford's Everything Green Salad with Green Goddess Dressing</a></strong></p>
  • Buttermilk + Mayonnaise + Lemon Zest
     
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    Buttermilk + Mayonnaise + Lemon Zest

    <p>Buttermilk, mayonnaise and lemon zest make a super-speedy and satisfying dressing for cabbage slaw, <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/caramelized-onion-sweet-potato-salad/20332/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">grilled sweet potato salad</a> or summertime corn and tomato salad.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/corn-and-avocado-salad/15332/" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><strong>Corn and Avocado Salad</strong></a></p>
  • Kombucha + Miso + Olive Oil
     
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    Kombucha + Miso + Olive Oil

    <p>Tart <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/how-to-batch-brew-kombucha/18284/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">kombucha</a> replaces vinegar in this probiotic-rich dressing made with any kombucha flavour, along with sweet white miso and olive oil. It’s a dream with hearty kale salads, but can be used in more delicate applications, too.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/heartland-chopped-salad/17585/" target="_blank"><strong>Bobby Flay's Heartland Chopped Salad</strong></a></p>
  • Roasted Red Peppers + Almond Butter + Smoked Paprika
     
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    Roasted Red Peppers + Almond Butter + Smoked Paprika

    <p>Take a page from Romesco, a roasted red pepper sauce, and make a salad dressing out of its core flavours. Blend marinated roasted red peppers, almond butter and smoked paprika for a stunning, Spanish-inspired <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/easy-potato-salad-recipes" rel="noopener" target="_blank">potato salad</a> partner.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/spanish-potato-salad/20309/" target="_blank"><strong>Bobby Flay’s Spanish Potato Salad</strong></a></p>
  • Avocado + Chives + Lime Juice
     
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    Avocado + Chives + Lime Juice

    <p>Blend up ripe avocado with fresh chives and lime juice for a silky-smooth, dairy-free green goddess dressing. Thin with as much water as needed until your desired consistency is reached. Pair this with sturdy grilled romaine for a fresh and fun <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/in-season/photos/best-summer-salads-barbecues-picnics" rel="noopener" target="_blank">summer salad</a>.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/food-network-canada-chef-school/recipe/grilled-caesar-salad-with-cheddar-crisp-s/21306/" target="_blank">Roger Mooking’s Grilled Caesar Salad with Cheddar Crisps</a></strong></p>
  • Hummus + Lemon Juice + Dukkah
     
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    Hummus + Lemon Juice + Dukkah

    <p><a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/best-hummus-dip-recipes/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Creamy hummus</a> thinned with water is a healthier salad dressing base and can be transformed in myriad ways. Lemon juice adds zip and dukkah, an Egyptian spice condiment, brings bold, toasty flavour. Double up and use it to dress chickpea salad.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/cumin-grilled-sea-scallops-with-chickpea-salad-and-red-pepper-tahini-vinaigrette/18253/" target="_blank"><strong>Bobby Flay’s Cumin Grilled Sea Scallops with Chickpea Salad</strong></a></p>
  • Cashew Butter + Apple Cider Vinegar + Nutritional Yeast
     
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    Cashew Butter + Apple Cider Vinegar + Nutritional Yeast

    <p>For a creamy, plant-based dressing that'll perk up any salad, simply combine a nut butter (like cashew or sunflower seed) with <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/healthy-eating/blog/nutritional-yeast-recipes/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">nutritional yeast</a> and apple cider vinegar. You can also add a few tablespoons of water, depending on how thick you prefer your dressings.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/rainbow-quinoa-taco-salad-with-vegan-dressing/16231/" target="_blank"><strong>Rainbow Quinoa Taco Salad with Vegan Dressing</strong></a></p>
  • Yogurt + Dill + Capers
     
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    Yogurt + Dill + Capers

    <p>Delicate yet flavourful, plain yogurt, chopped fresh dill and vinegary capers pair perfectly with a warm or chilled salmon salad. If you don’t have capers, use diced dill pickles.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/healthy-eating/recipe/pan-seared-salmon-with-kale-and-apple-salad/20895/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Pan-Seared Salmon with Kale and Apple Salad</strong></a></p>
  • Orange Juice + Rice Vinegar + Sesame Oil
     
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    Orange Juice + Rice Vinegar + Sesame Oil

    <p>Freshly squeezed or from the bottle, orange juice is a fantastic salad dressing base – here, paired with rice vinegar and sesame oil – for Asian-inspired slaws or <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/chilled-asparagus-snap-pea-and-soba-noodle-salad/13647/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">cold noodle salads</a>.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/chinese-chicken-salad-with-red-chile-peanut-dressing/15863/" target="_blank"><strong>Bobby Flay's Chinese Chicken Salad with Red Chile Peanut Dressing</strong></a></p>
  • Mayonnaise + Pesto + Lemon Juice
     
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    Mayonnaise + Pesto + Lemon Juice

    <p>Pair prepared or homemade green pesto with mayo and lemon juice for a dressing that feels just as at home in a <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/canada-day/photos/best-pasta-salad-recipes" rel="noopener" target="_blank">pasta salad</a> as it does tossed with white beans and tuna.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/artichoke-pasta-salad/16084/" target="_blank"><strong>Alton Brown's Artichoke Pasta Salad</strong></a></p>
  • Yogurt + Za’atar + Lemon Juice
     
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    Yogurt + Za’atar + Lemon Juice

    <p>Take full fat (Greek or regular) plain yogurt and pair it with za’atar, a Middle Eastern spice blend, and fresh lemon juice. This punchy mix works beautifully in grilled zucchini and eggplant salads topped with toasted pine nuts.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/toasted-israeli-couscous-salad-with-grilled-summer-vegetables/15979/" target="_blank">Bobby Flay's Toasted Israeli Couscous Salad with Grilled Summer Veggies</a></strong></p>
  • Maple + Miso + Sesame Oil
     
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    Maple + Miso + Sesame Oil

    <p>Add sweetness to white miso with maple syrup, and toastiness with sesame oil, for a dressing that is magic when tossed with a cold noodle and grated carrot salad. Thin with water until you get the consistency you’re after.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/buckwheat-noodle-salad/19498/" target="_blank"><strong>Bobby Flay's Buckwheat Noodle Salad</strong></a></p>
  • Lemon Juice + Olive Oil + Balsamic Vinegar
     
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    Lemon Juice + Olive Oil + Balsamic Vinegar

    <p>Elevate the standard olive oil and balsamic vinegar combo with a squeeze of lemon juice. It's the perfect trio when you're running low on pantry staples, and it will uplift lettuce-based and grain salads just the same.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/in-season/blog/the-ultimate-grain-salad-for-a-summer-picnic/" target="_blank">The Ultimate Grain Salad</a></strong></p>
  • Grainy Mustard + Honey + Olive Oil
     
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    Grainy Mustard + Honey + Olive Oil

    <p>Keep it simple with this super-smooth dressing made with grainy mustard, honey and olive oil. Lovely with <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/everyday-cooking/photos/lentil-recipes-we-love" rel="noopener" target="_blank">lentils</a> and bitter lettuces, like radicchio.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/italian-lentil-salad/16797/" target="_blank"><strong>Giada De Laurentiis' Italian Lentil Salad</strong></a></p>
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