Oil-Free Salad Dressing

Are you searching for a salad dressing recipe that is both healthy and delicious, and also oil-free? You may have just found your new favorite salad dressing! If you're looking to incorporate more whole foods into your meals, this oil-free salad dressing recipe is a great way to start! With simple, wholesome ingredients like lemon juice and fresh herbs, it's a delicious and nutritious addition to any meal.

The dressing is easy to make and ready in a minute or less - leaving you enough time to prepare a next-level salad! It’s also perfect for tossing with your favorite greens, drizzling over buddha bowls and even for dipping your fresh veggies.

Why choose oil-free dressings for your salad?

An oil free salad dressing is a great option for those looking to reduce their intake of added fats and calories - whether it's down to personal choice or any chronic diseases that might require this lifestyle change.

Oil is a common ingredient in many salad dressings, but it's not always the healthiest choice, as it is the most calorie-dense food and often also highly processed and refined. Traditional salad dressings are often high in oil, which can contribute to specific health issues. Oil-free dressings, on the other hand, are made with ingredients such as like lemon juice, and mustard, which provide flavor without the added fat and are therefore also a main ingredient in this oil free recipe.

In addition, commercial salad dressings are often also full of preservatives and flavor enhancers, so making my own salad dressing at home is one of my favorite ways to live a little healthier.

🌱 Ingredients & Notes

Here is everything you need for this recipe:

• Lemon juice - for a tangy flavor and the perfect acidity in the dressing. You can use either store-bought or freshly squeezed lemon juice.
• Mustard - I use Dijon mustard to add a rich flavor. It also acts as an emulsifier to help the ingredients come together.
• Maple syrup - to add a hint of sweetness and balance the tartness of the lemon juice.
• Fresh herbs - these are optional but these add a wonderful freshness to the salad dressing. I use a mix of fresh dill, parsley and basil. You can use any herbs you like, or omit them altogether.

Jump to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for detailed quantities and measurements.

Tips for Ingredient Substitutions

In case you don't have everything to hand, here a few options for possible substitutions:

• Lemon juice - lime juice, white vinegar such as white wine vinegar, or apple cider vinegar
• Dijon mustard - whole grain mustard, spicy brown mustard
• Maple syrup - agave nectar, stevia or date syrup
• Fresh herbs - use dried herbs, such as oregano or thyme, or omit altogether

🔪 Equipment

For the recipe you only need a small jar, e.g. a mason jar with a lid, or a blender/food processor if you decide to add fresh herbs.

🧑‍🍳 Instructions (Step-by-Step)

If you are making the dressing without herbs, simply combine all ingredients in a jar and shake it to blend everything together. If you like to add fresh herbs, using a small blender or food processor is the best way:

Step 1 - Measure the lemon juice, mustard, maple syrup and herbs into a blender.

Step 2 - Pulse a few times until the herbs are broken down to your desired texture. You can also blend the dressing for 30 seconds to get a smooth dressing without pieces of herbs. Then season to taste with salt and black pepper, if desired.

🍽️ Serving

To serve the oil-free salad dressing, simply drizzle it over your favorite leafy greens - such as this ultra delicious Grilled Zucchini Salad - and toss to combine. It's also delicious with pasta salad!

This dressing is truly perfect for adding flavor to any salad or veggie dish, and it's a healthy and delicious alternative to traditional oil-based dressings!

❄️ Storage

To store the dressing, simply transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4-5 days. Give it a good shake before using it again, as the ingredients may separate over time.

If you preparing your salad ahead of time, it's best to store the salad and the dressing separately to ensure the salad will still be scrumptious when you're ready to enjoy it!

🔜 Related Recipes

Try mixing this dressing with a Grilled Zucchini Salad, Roasted Cabbage & Lentil Salad and serve it alongside Homemade Salad Croutons and Vegan Feta.

If you're after more oil-free salad dressing recipes, tweak the recipe with your favorite ingredients! You can easily add balsamic vinegar instead of lemon juice or add some nutritional yeast or onion powder to shake things up.

📝 Recipe

Here's a handy recipe card that you can print out and keep in your kitchen for easy reference:

📖 Recipe Card

Easy Oil-Free Salad Dressing (only 3 Ingredients and Vegan!)

Romy

This oil free dressing recipe features a zesty combination of lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and maple syrup, along with optional fresh herbs for added flavor. It's easy to make and perfect for tossing with your favorite greens!

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 1 minute min

Cook Time 0 minutes mins

Total Time 1 minute min

Course Salad

Cuisine American, British

Servings 2 servings

Calories 172 kcal

Equipment

• 1 mason jar with lid or small blender

Ingredients

  

• ¼ cup lemon juice (60 ml)
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (30 ml)
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup (30 ml)
• 1 handful fresh herbs (20g) e.g. dill, parsley, basil, optional
• salt and pepper to taste, optional

Instructions

 

• Combine lemon juice, Dijon mustard in maple syrup in a mason jar, close the lid and shake to combine.
• If you choose to add fresh herbs, combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor and process until the herbs are chopped up finely.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper, if desired, and drizzle over your salad!

Notes

• Nutritional information for reference only. The calorie count is an estimate for the full recipe and varies depending on serving size and specific brands of ingredients used. 
• The dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days, allowing you to enjoy it throughout the week.
• Feel free to adjust the quantities of the ingredients to your liking. If you prefer a sweeter dressing, add more maple syrup. If you like it tangier, add more lemon juice.
• To make the dressing creamier, you can add a small amount of silken tofu or cashews to the food processor.
• The dressing is not only great for salads, but can also be used as a dip for veggies or a sauce for grain bowls.
• If you're looking to reduce your sugar intake, you can substitute the maple syrup with a natural sweetener like agave or stevia.

Keyword dressing, oil free dressing, oil-free, salad dressing, vegan salad dressing

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