The ABC's of plant-based salad dressing

I’m really enjoying fresh, homemade salad dressing these days. I used to be intimidated at the thought of making my own, but once I started experimenting, I found out it’s actually not that hard! It just takes a little educating, the right ingredients on hand, a high-speed blender and few extra minutes.

Why homemade salad dressings?

I know that buying store bought dressings is easier and if that is the best you can do, then hey! I applaud you for eating more veggies and more salad either way. Homemade dressings assure you of quality ingredients and have a short shelf life. This means you're getting more nutrients, more fiber, more minerals, more good stuff essentially.

How do I start making homemade salad dressings?

Like I mentioned above, having a high-speed blender is an essential part of the process. It breaks down all the ingredients and mixes them to the right consistency. To start, it’s good to have these things on hand: 

• Apple cider vinegar
• Tahini, almond butter, peanut butter
• Balsamic Vinegar
• A good quality olive oil
• Fresh herbs (basil chives, cilantro, etc)
• Coconut sugar or maple syrup
• Citrus (lemons or oranges, preferable freshly juiced
• Spices for kick (cayenne or red chili pepper flakes
• A high quality salt
• Liquid aminos as a soy sauce alternative
• Fresh garlic cloves
• Raw cashews

Start here and it’ll make homemade dressing making that much easier. You’ll want to eat up the dressing that make between at least a week (if you haven’t already devoured it) after you make it, if not sooner!

For a full recipe, check out my citrus cashew dressing recipe!

Happy dressing making! 

Hailey Gowan is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. She has a passion for seeing people find optimal health through whole foods, plant-based nutrition and a balanced lifestyle. Hailey is also a plant based chef in training and hopes to make eating a plant based diet more attainable. To follow Hailey's journey or to set up a free consultation, visit www.theheirloomcarrot.com.