When you’re trying to eat healthier, salads can be your best friend. But honestly salad isn’t complete without a good dressing.
The problem? Store-bought dressings are often loaded with added sugars, unhealthy fats, and preservatives.
So, what’s the solution? Make your own! You get to control the ingredients, and it’s way easier than you think.
If you’re on a low-calorie or clean-eating journey, the good news is that you don’t have to skip the dressing.
You can easily whip up delicious, flavorful dressings that are low in calories and packed with fresh, wholesome ingredients.
Not only will they make your salads taste incredible, but they won’t sabotage your diet.
12 Easy Salad Dressing Recipes That Are Low in Calories
Here are 12 easy salad dressing recipes that are low in calories but big on flavor. Let’s dive right in!
1. Classic Balsamic Vinaigrette
You can’t go wrong with a balsamic vinaigrette. It’s tangy, flavorful, and so easy to make. The best part? You don’t need a ton of ingredients to pull it off.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Whisk together balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, olive oil, salt, and pepper until fully combined.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Why It Works: Balsamic vinegar is low in calories and adds a deep, rich flavor. The mustard adds a nice kick without packing in extra calories.
You can easily make this dressing in 5 minutes, and it pairs perfectly with most greens.
2. Lemon Tahini Dressing
Tahini brings a creamy, nutty flavor to this zesty dressing. It’s rich in healthy fats, so you’ll feel satisfied after drizzling this over your salad.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, water, and sweetener (if using).
- Season with salt and pepper and mix well.
Why It Works: Tahini provides a creamy texture without the need for mayo or heavy cream.
The lemon juice gives it a fresh, zesty flavor, and the small amount of maple syrup adds just enough sweetness to balance it out.
3. Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing
Craving ranch but don’t want all the calories? Greek yogurt is your hero. This ranch dressing is creamy, tangy, and so much healthier than the store-bought version.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, and dill.
- Stir well and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Why It Works: Greek yogurt is high in protein and low in calories, making it the perfect base for a healthier ranch dressing. The herbs add that classic ranch flavor without any extra junk.
4. Avocado Lime Dressing
This creamy dressing uses avocado as the base, giving it a rich texture while keeping the calories in check. It’s fresh, zesty, and totally satisfying.
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe avocado
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup water (more if needed for desired consistency)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Blend the avocado, lime juice, olive oil, and water until smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Why It Works: Avocado provides healthy fats and fiber, making this dressing creamy and filling.
Lime juice adds a nice tang, while the olive oil gives it richness. It’s perfect for a Tex-Mex or Southwest-style salad.
5. Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette
If you’re craving something zesty and fresh, this cilantro lime vinaigrette is a winner. It’s light, full of flavor, and pairs wonderfully with any salad.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro (roughly chopped)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Whisk together lime juice, cilantro, olive oil, and honey (if using).
- Season with salt and pepper.
Why It Works: Cilantro gives this vinaigrette a fresh, herby flavor that pairs beautifully with lime juice.
The small amount of honey balances out the acidity, and it’s all kept light with just a splash of olive oil.
6. Mustard Vinaigrette
Looking for something tangy and a little spicy? This mustard vinaigrette is the perfect dressing to add some punch to your salad without overloading on calories.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Whisk together Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Why It Works: Mustard gives this vinaigrette its unique sharpness and tang, and the red wine vinegar adds depth. With just a small amount of olive oil, this dressing is light but packed with flavor.
7. Honey Balsamic Dressing
A touch of honey in this balsamic vinaigrette gives it the perfect balance of sweetness and tang. It’s simple, but the flavor is amazing.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Why It Works: Honey adds just the right amount of sweetness, making this dressing more flavorful than a plain balsamic vinaigrette but still low in calories. It’s great for drizzling over a hearty salad.
8. Raspberry Vinaigrette
If you like a fruit-based dressing, this raspberry vinaigrette is both sweet and tangy. It’s great for adding a little fruity twist to your greens.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup fresh raspberries (or 2 tablespoons raspberry jam)
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Mash the raspberries in a bowl, then whisk in balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Strain the dressing to remove seeds if desired.
Why It Works: Raspberries are naturally low in sugar and high in antioxidants. This vinaigrette brings a fruity flavor without a lot of sugar, making it a great low-calorie dressing for salads or roasted vegetables.
9. Poppy Seed Dressing
If you’re a fan of poppy seed dressing but want a lighter version, this one’s for you. It’s tangy with just a hint of sweetness.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Whisk together apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, and olive oil.
- Season with salt and pepper.
Why It Works: The honey adds sweetness without going overboard, and the apple cider vinegar provides that tangy kick.
The poppy seeds give it a unique texture, making this dressing both light and flavorful.
10. Lemon Herb Dressing
If you’re looking for a super light and fresh dressing, this lemon herb dressing is perfect. It’s bursting with flavor and works great on green salads, grains, and even roasted veggies.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, parsley, and garlic powder.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Why It Works: This dressing is as fresh as it gets! The lemon juice gives it a bright zing, and the parsley adds a touch of herbal flavor.
It’s light on the olive oil, making it a low-calorie option for anyone looking to keep things simple.
11. Chipotle Lime Dressing
Craving something smoky and spicy? This chipotle lime dressing will add a fiery kick to your salad, and it’s still low in calories.
Ingredients:
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce (minced)
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Whisk together minced chipotle pepper, lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Why It Works: Chipotle peppers give this dressing a smoky heat, while lime juice provides the refreshing citrus flavor. The olive oil is kept to a minimum, keeping this dressing flavorful but light.
12. Garlic Lemon Dressing
If you’re all about garlic, this garlic lemon dressing will be your new favorite. It’s bold, tangy, and easy to make!
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Whisk together lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Why It Works: Garlic adds a punch of flavor, and lemon juice keeps everything fresh and tangy. The olive oil gives it richness without making it heavy. It’s a simple yet delicious dressing.
Conclusion
Salad dressings don’t have to be loaded with calories to taste amazing.
These 12 easy recipes are packed with flavor, and they’re low in calories—making them perfect for anyone looking to eat healthier without sacrificing taste.
Whether you like tangy, sweet, or smoky dressings, you’ll find something here to suit your tastes. Try them out, and you might never go back to store-bought dressings again!