Dressing for Success: A Collection of Popular American Salad Dressing Recipes

By John Mitzewich

Updated 11/09/17

Making you own salad dressing is not only easy, you'll get a better tasting and more nutritious product than you can buy at the store. Here is a collection of America's most popular salad dressing recipes.
  • 01 of 08
    Caesar Salad Dressing
    Photo (c) John Mitzewich

    As the story goes, America's most popular restaurant salad dressing was invented by Caesar Cardini in Tijuana, Mexico. This Caesar salad dressing recipe can also be used as a vegetable dip or sandwich spread.

  • 02 of 08
    Classic Ranch Salad Dressing
    Photo © Flickr user {*ferris!
    Ranch dressing is not only one of America's most popular salad dressings, it's probably its most popular dip. Ranch dressing is delicious served with everything from raw vegetables to fried chicken wings.
  • 03 of 08
    Balsamic Salad Dressing
    Photo © Flickr user catsper
    Balsamic salad dressings are very popular on restaurant menus because of their sweet, mild flavor. So delicious and easy to whisk together, this balsamic salad dressing should be a regular in your dressing recipe repertoire.
  • 04 of 08
    French Salad Dressing
    Photo (c) Flickr user jasonlam
    The term "French dressing" was originally used to describe a simple oil and vinegar salad dressing recipe. Today, American cooks know French dressing as a tangy, sweet, tomato-based mixture, perfect for dressing salads, dipping vegetables, or even as a sandwich spread.
    Continue to 5 of 8 below.
  • 05 of 08
    "Shake & Serve" Red Wine Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
    Photo (c) Flickr user Markyboy81
    This red wine vinaigrette salad dressing recipe uses the easiest method ever invented for getting perfectly emulsified vinaigrette!
  • 06 of 08
    Creamy Blue Cheese Salad Dressing
    Photo (c) Flickr User Halima Ahkdar
    It's so easy to make your own blue cheese dressing, and not only is it much cheaper, you can also choose which great blue cheeses to use, such as Gorgonzola or Roquefort. Whether for a green salad, or a plate of Buffalo chicken wings, this blue cheese dressing is a winner.
  • 07 of 08
    Italian "Oil & Vinegar" Salad Dressing
    Photo © Flickr user VirtualErn
    This simple Italian dressing recipe uses a very easy method for achieving a perfectly emulsified vinaigrette. The tiny dash of Dijon, when shaken, keeps the oil and vinegar mixed together for a restaurant-quality salad dressing.
  • 08 of 08
    Honey Dijon Salad Dressing
    Photo © Flickr user DanPhiffer
    This popular honey Dijon salad dressing recipe is great for all types of salads, but especially good with the more bitter greens, as the sweetness in the dressing works well with those more pronounced flavors. This honey Dijon salad dressing recipe is also a great basting sauce for grilled meats.