Salad is always in season. It doesn’t matter if it’s lunch or dinner, salad is a win. That being said, though, lettuce can be bland. Salad dressings are what give them flavor and that “kick” we all know and love. Salad dressing isn’t just for salads, either. Multiple foods can benefit from their tasty ingredients. Meats, veggies, and even creations like burgers increase their worth with these yummy additions. With that said, let’s delve into the yummiest salad dressings around.
Ranch
Ranch is a classic favorite among Americans. Its blend of mayo, buttermilk, sour cream, and herbs creates a tasty, thick addition to your food choice. It’s a zesty option for your salads, buffalo wings, pizza, and fries. Don’t forget that it’s also the yummy flavoring for multiple brands of chips.
It was thought to have been invented by Steve Henson in the 1950s at his farm, which was called “Hidden Valley.” Clorox purchased his company in 1972, adjusting his formula from buttermilk to dried butter, so it would have a longer shelf life. That’s the rumor, anyway.
Thousand Island
This combination of mayo, ketchup, and seasonings have been popularized by burgers everywhere. Despite its use for juicy meats, Thousand Island is also great on salads and sandwiches. Each recipe varies on the types of seasonings used, but nonetheless, when you taste it…you know what it is.
The history is unclear about this salad dressing. There are two people who claim to have created it, but while they share a mutual friend, it’s more likely that it was both of them. Keep your recipes a secret, right?
Blue Cheese
This is a pungent choice of dressing, to be sure. Its combination of blue cheese, mayo, yogurt, and parsley make a great addition to your salad. However, it’s reserved for those with a unique palate. If you’re trying to dissuade your friend from stealing off your dinner plate, blue cheese dressing just might do it.
We’re unsure of its history, though its first appearance was in a cookbook from 1918. There are many different variations to “blue cheese dressing.” French Roquefort and Italian Gorgonzola are just a couple of the options you can try with your salad.
Vinaigrette
If you want a guaranteed win at your dinner party, vinaigrette is a great choice. Its combination of oil and vinegar are the perfect addition to cooked veggies and salads. You can include other herbs, such as garlic and Dijon mustard in the mixture. It’s a simple choice with big results.
The ancient world was using vinaigrette way before your favorite restaurant was. They used it to flavor breads, which some say are the first pizzas. If you want to make your own, it’s very simple—3 to 1 ratio with oil and vinegar.
French
French dressing has adapted quite a bit since its origins. Paprika and tomato paste are just a couple examples of the additions they made to the recipe over the years. It’s not just for your salad, either. It’s great on chicken and seafood. So, grab that sauce and get to devouring your favorite dish.
The original French recipe was simply a mix of oil, herbs, and vinegar. The classic vinaigrette recipe was adapted when American diners wanted more “color” in their food. This happened around the turn of the century. Once the ingredients were added, no one looked back.
Honey Mustard
The sweet-tangy flavor of honey mustard is something worth trying. It is great on salads and for dipping your chicken fingers and French fries in. It’s very easy to make at home, with a 3 to 1 ratio of honey to mustard. You can include a little apple cider vinegar, too.
Honey mustard was seen in a variety of ancient Roman recipes. They were even added to dishes in Egypt while the two peoples were…collaborating. And, as you can see, the dressing is still going strong in cultures everywhere today.
If you were searching for the perfect salad dressing for your dinner party, then we hope you found it on this list. It’s important to intake those leafy greens, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little flavor reward for your efforts. These dressings can be found at most local grocery stores, as well as easily recreated in your own home. So grab the ingredients and get cooking! We’re excited to see the results.
