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Creamy Garlic Dill Dressing for Salad, Chicken, or Fish

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I’ve been on a big-time salad kick the last few weeks.

The holidays tend to bog me down with heavy winter foods and starting in January I always crave salad. Not just a weak little side salad — I want a real, meal-sized salad. Salad dressing is one condiment I never buy. It’s easy to make from scratch and the possibilities are endless.

Creamy garlic dill dressing in a jar with text overlay.

Sometimes I want a vinaigrette, other times I want a creamy dressing, and sometimes I want a creamy emulsified vinaigrette. Salad dressings are an easy gateway into homemade staples, so be prepared to be making mayonnaise and fermented ketchup next! I rarely write down my salad dressing recipes but since I started blogging, I am going to try to keep notes on my favorite concoctions. Often times my salad dressing ingredients are just items I already have on hand.

Creamy garlic dill dressing in a jar with lettuce leaves and garlic.

Essential Pantry and Fresh Items To Have on Hand for Great Homemade Dressings:

  1. Lemons
  2. Apple cider vinegar
  3. Balsamic vinegar
  4. Sherry vinegar
  5. Fresh and dried herbs
  6. Garlic
  7. Capers
  8. Green olives
  9. Anchovies
  10. Sour cream
  11. Plain yogurt
  12. Homemade mayonnaise
  13. Whole grain mustard
  14. Salt, pepper, and spices
  15. Extra-virgin olive oil
  16. Avocado oil
  17. Pumpkin seed oil

Salad Dressings Are So Simple To Make, Especially if You Have the Right Tools!

I almost always make my emulsified dressings with a handheld stick blender. Some come with a useful measuring cup that you can also blend in like this one:

This creamy garlic dill dressing is not only great on salad but can be used as a dipping sauce for veggies, or as a sauce for chicken and fish (especially salmon). I’m sure it has many other uses as well. Tell me what you used it for in the comments below!

If you enjoyed this recipe please help me out by sharing it below! And don’t forget to subscribe to my blog via email for fresh recipes right in your inbox!

Creamy Garlic Dill Dressing

Creamy Garlic Dill Dressing for Salad, Chicken, or Fish

Yield: 12 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Great on salad but can be used as a dipping sauce for veggies, or as a sauce for chicken and fish (especially salmon)!

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Add all the ingredients to your blender cup and purée on low speed until fully combined! Yep, that's it!!! Use the dressing right away or refrigerate it in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid for up to one week. A stronger garlic flavor develops over time.

Notes

Recipe yields 1 1/2 cups of dressing.

Kimberly

Sunday 8th of May 2022

What a fantastic recipe! I take salads to work 4 days a week, & this dressing is one I alternate with a copycat Zoe's Kitchen recipe for Greek dressing. Thanks so much! My hubby loves it, and it's so much better for him than store bought!

Butter For All

Monday 9th of May 2022

Hey Kimberly!

I'm so happy you like it! Thank you for the great feedback :)

Tim Miller

Sunday 24th of January 2021

Hey ya"all, every once in a while I get an urge for a Gyro from Arby's the only problem is the tzaztiki (cucumber) sauce just tears my stomach I think this will make a great alternate sauce for that,........yum,yum

Butter For All

Monday 25th of January 2021

Hi Tim!

That sounds like a great plan!

PS. I'm totally craving a Gyro now :)-

Janet Cook

Sunday 31st of May 2020

Perfect flavorful dressing and so easy to make! Love the combo of garlic and fresh dill. I used on my salad last night and my boyfriend who’s a foodie loved it. Thank you for sharing this.

Butter For All

Tuesday 2nd of June 2020

That's great to hear, Janet! Thank you for the positive feedback, it makes my day!

Emily

Thursday 20th of February 2020

This recipe is a staple in my home. This is “Ranch” as we know it. It’s really good on anything, especially baked potatoes! My 4 children don’t even recognize a store bought version! I use plain organic Greek yogurt since we like it a bit thicker, more like a dip, plus the added protein, and it’s what I usually have in hand.

Butter For All

Friday 21st of February 2020

Hi Emily!

Awesome feedback, thank you! It makes me really happy to know your whole family enjoys this recipe! Yay!

Best, Courtney

Mary Dee

Tuesday 4th of September 2018

Can this dressing be made thinner with something? I like the thin types. Thanks

Butter For All

Tuesday 4th of September 2018

Hi Mary Dee, You can add some buttermilk, milk or whey from yogurt to get to your desired consistency. Depending on your yogurt it may be thin enough for your liking so I suggest making it as the recipe states and then adding a little extra liquid as needed. Whey from your yogurt will probably be the most economical since you already need yogurt for the recipe. I recommend either homemade plain yogurt or an organic, whole milk, plain yogurt. You can look at these recipes to get an idea of how to drain whey from your yogurt, Raw Milk Yogurt and How To Make Labneh Cheese. Hope this helps! - Courtney

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