Australia is a land of salads. Given our climate and lifestyle, salads are a year-round opportunity for meals and sides or as accompaniments to fish, poultry, meat, and other protein.
Having a bevy of dressing and vinaigrette options is a great way to go about a leafier lifestyle, as they’re flexible, innovative and interesting contrasts of ingredients. I like to make salad dressings with items found in the pantry, fridge, or herb garden, without needing a specialized trip to the grocery store.
Below, you’ll find five deliciously simple dressings examples, with some being part of 12 Tomatoes recipes that help bring flavor to life. The best thing about these choices is that they offer the perfect combination of simplicity and versatility to customize according to your desired taste.
1. Amazing Homemade Vinaigrette
Having a simple yet tangy homemade vinaigrette is arguably the most essential item for salad success. A go to vinaigrette is a delicious yet easy option available to you when warding against bland food.
Check out the 12 Tomatoes method for achieving a delightful Amazing Homemade Vinaigrette that offers verve to your salad set up.
2. Peanut Dressing
This uber tasty Peanut Dressing is one of the quality options in our 4-ingredient salad dressings list. Peanut dressing works as a great foil for accompanying light chicken dishes, satay skewers, and Asian-style salads. I like it because it’s not overbearing or too cloying, yet if I want to amp up the peanut component to make it taste stronger, it’s easy to do.
3. Classic Caesar Salad Dressing
A creamy dressing beloved by all ages, the classic Caesar salad is versatile enough for use with a range of base salads, it doesn’t have to be all about iceberg leaves, chicken, and bacon. Our delicious recipe for a Classic Caesar Salad Dressing provides you the tools to make a quality Caesar that can sub into a variety of situations.
4. Mojito Melon Salad Dressing
This Mojito Melon Salad Dressing can be as simple as utilizing the juice of two lemons, however, I love the way the freshness of mint creates an invigorating layer that helps lessen the bite of the lemon juice.
And if you don’t want to use the dressing solely for food purposes, that’s understandable. It’s a combination that makes your spring and summer cocktails pop with refreshingly zesty flavor!
5. Roasted Chickpea Salad with Curry Dressing
Our Roasted Chickpea Salad with Curry Dressing is a brilliant contrast of warm and sweet flavors with a distinctly Indian flair. The curry dressing is the key component and is beautifully versatile across different meats or base grains/veggies. You can add this curry dressing to nearly any Asian-style salad and it would fit in seamlessly.
Conclusion
If you’re not a salad lover, try one of these amazing salad dressings, they’re vibrant and enjoyable. I have no doubt that they will encourage you to give a bowlful of leafy greens another chance.