New Delhi: Eating salad regularly is one of the easiest ways to add more vegetables, fibre and freshness to your meals. But let’s be real — most people
don’t dislike salad itself, they dislike bland salads. The dressing is what makes the difference. A good dressing pulls everything together, adds comfort and flavour, and makes healthy food feel satisfying rather than forced. The good news? You don’t need fancy ingredients or complicated techniques to make that happen.
In fact, some of the tastiest and healthiest salad dressings are made from ingredients you already use every day. Things like oil, lemon, vinegar, yoghurt and simple seasonings can transform a bowl of leaves into something you actually look forward to eating. Below are easy, no-stress dressings that work with real life, real kitchens and real appetites.
Healthy salad dressings using everyday ingredients
1. Olive oil and lemon dressing
This is as simple as it gets, yet incredibly effective. The richness of olive oil balances the sharp freshness of lemon, enhancing vegetables without overpowering them. It works on almost any salad and never feels heavy.
Quick recipe: Mix 3 tablespoons olive oil with 1½ tablespoons lemon juice, salt and black pepper. Shake well.
2. Classic vinegar and oil dressing
This old-school dressing proves that simple combinations last for a reason. Vinegar adds tang and brightness, while oil softens raw vegetables and carries flavour evenly through the salad.
Quick recipe: Combine 3 tablespoons oil with 1 tablespoon white or apple cider vinegar, a pinch of salt and pepper.
3. Yoghurt and black pepper dressing
Creamy without being heavy, this dressing is filling, cooling and perfect for people who don’t enjoy sharp vinaigrettes. Yoghurt adds protein and body, making salads feel more like a proper meal.
Quick recipe: Stir 4 tablespoons plain yoghurt with a squeeze of lemon, black pepper and a pinch of salt.
4. Mustard and oil dressing
Mustard adds instant depth and a gentle kick using just a small amount. It helps emulsify the dressing, meaning it coats salad leaves evenly and doesn’t sink to the bottom of the bowl.
Quick recipe: Whisk 1 teaspoon mustard with 3 tablespoons oil, 1 tablespoon vinegar, salt and pepper.
5. Warm garlic oil dressing
Perfect for cooler weather or heartier salads, this dressing adds comfort and aroma. Warm oil softens garlic’s sharpness, creating a mellow flavour that pairs beautifully with greens and cooked vegetables.
Quick recipe: Gently heat 3 tablespoons oil with 1 crushed garlic clove, remove from heat, add salt and drizzle warm.
Healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With a few basic ingredients and simple techniques, everyday salad dressings can be both nourishing and genuinely enjoyable, making salads something you want to eat — not something you feel you should eat.
