5 Whole30 Salad Dressing Recipes
by 5 Whole30 Salad Dressing Recipes from carrot ginger, to sweet basil, creamy caper-dill, and more! These Whole30 dressings will add so much flavor to meal prep or any Whole30, Paleo, Keto, Vegan, and Gluten-Free salad dressing!
Whole30 Salad Dressing Recipes (Spring edition)
I have yet to share many salad dressings on my blog though every time when I share a salad dressing recipe they are always a hit!
Since spring is right around the corner and I absolutely adore fresh spring herbs so I thought why not use this opportunity to share some of my favorite spring herb salad dressings and made them Whole30.
How to choose the right salad dressing for different types of greens
Pairing greens and dressings is kind of like wine pairings. The right dressing and green can totally make a difference.
- Greens that are great for creamier texture dressings –
Iceberg, Romaine, Arugula, Bibb Lettuce, Radicchio, Watercress, Endive, Frisée, Shredded cabbage, Roasted/grilled cabbage wedges, Steamed or blanched broccoli - Greens that are great for lighter and more citrus based dressings –
Spinach, Spring greens, Bibb Lettuce, Kale, Grilled asparagus, Steamed or blanched broccoli
How to spice up your Whole30 salad with healthy ingredients
- Rinse and refresh the salad greens with cold water. Shake off excess water or use a salad spinner.
- Select a Whole30 Salad Dressing Recipe based on the type of leafy greens.
- Add avocados
- Toasted nuts or bacon crumbles
- Soft boiled eggs
- Fresh fruit such as berries, grapes, or apples
- Season with salt and pepper to taste
In general, delicate greens go well with citrus based light vinaigrette. Hearty or bitter taste greens go well with creamy and rich dressings.
Sometimes I’ll spice up the flavor even further with a dash of vinaigrette, salt, and good olive oil to help brighten the flavor even further. Leave this step in the end so you can taste test and make your own adjustments.
Is dairy-free yogurt Whole30? Can you have yogurt on Whole30?
In my cool mint yogurt salad dressing recipe I use unsweetened coconut yogurt as a salad dressing or dip. In this context, it’s compliant and here’s why.
In general, as long as the ingredients in your yogurt is compliant then it is Whole30 compliant yogurt.
However there are a few things you need to watch out for: no added sweeteners (read both the label and the ingredients), carrageenan, soy lecithin (sunflower lecithin is ok), and sulfites (sulfur dioxide, sodium bisulfate, potassium metabisulfite). Also please don’t turn it into a breakfast yogurt bowl. You can read more information and the official response from the Whole30 here.
Whole30 compliant yogurt brands
Lavva original, Anita’s coconut yogurt (NY based local brand), GT’s cocoyo pure, Kite hill almond milk yogurt – plain/unsweetened, Forager cashew milk yogurt – plain/unsweetened, and The coconut collaborative original flavor.
More Whole30 compliant salad dressings:
So my friends 5 of my Whole30 Salad Dressing recipes with fresh spring herbs made healthy, easy, low carb, Paleo, and vegan! If you give these Whole30 Salad dressing a try, be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe. Thanks so much in advance!
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5 Whole30 Salad Dressing Recipes (Paleo, Keto, Vegan)
Ingredients
Japanese Carrot Ginger Salad Dressing
- 4 oz. carrot
- 0.4 oz. fresh ginger root
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp coconut aminos
- 1.5 tsp toasted sesame oil
- ¼ tsp coarse sea salt or to taste
- 2 to 4 tbsp water
- ⅓ cup olive oil
Sweet Basil Citrus Salad Dressing
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- ½ cup orange juice
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1-2 tsp Dijon mustard
- ¼ tsp coarse sea salt
- ⅛ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ cup olive oil
Creamy Caper-Chive Salad Dressing
- 2.5 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp Whole30 mayo
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 oz. shallot, finely minced
- 2 tbsp chopped capers, drained
- 2 tbsp minced chives
- ¼ to ½ tsp coarse sea salt
- ½ cup olive oil
Herbed Tahini-Dill Salad Dressing
- 4-6 tbsp tahini
- 3-4 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 tsp Dijon mustard
- 3-4 tbsp apple juice
- ¼ + ⅛ tsp coarse sea salt
- Black pepper to taste
- 3 tbsp ice cold water, more as needed
- 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh dill
- ¼ cup olive oil
Cool Yogurt Mint Salad Dressing
- ¾ cup unsweetened coconut, almond, or cashew yogurt
- 3-4 tbsp lemon juice, or to taste
- 2 clove garlic, crushed
- ½ tsp coarse sea salt
- 1.5 tbsp finely chopped mint leaves
Instructions
Whole30 carrot-ginger salad dressing:
- Pulse carrot and ginger in a small work bowl a few times until very finely chopped. Add the rest of ingredients and pulse a few more times until the ingredients have almost been pureed. Store in a sealed jar in the fridge for 1-2 weeks. Shake before using.
Whole30 sweet basil citrus salad dressing:
- Pulse basil leaves in a small work bowl a few times until finely chopped. In a bowl combine chopped basil with the rest of ingredients except olive oil. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking at the same time to emulsify the dressing. Store in a sealed jar in the fridge for 1-2 weeks. Shake before using.
Whole30 creamy caper-chive salad dressing:
- Combine all ingredients except olive oil. Slow drizzle in the oil while whisking at the same time to emulsify the dressing. Store in a sealed jar in the fridge. Best use in 1 week.
Whole30 herbed tahini-dill salad dressing:
- Combine and whisk well all ingredients. The texture should be creamy and smooth. Store in a sealed jar in the fridge. Best use in 1 week. Add more ice cold water to thin the texture before serving.
Whole30 cool yogurt mint salad dressing/dip:
- Combine and whisk well all ingredients. The texture should be creamy and smooth. Different dairy-free yogurt has different acidity level. Taste and make seasoning adjustments. Store in a sealed jar in the fridge. Best use in 1 week.
Creamy Caper-Chive Salad Dressing!
I ran across your website wanting ideas to pair with a green salad & smoked king salmon and shrimp.
I split the dressing recipe for just the two of us, used
iceberg lettuce, sliced cherry tomatoes, Smoked king salmon, large shrimp and about
1/4 cup of cooked quinoa for added protein. HIGHLY recommend our salad to your readers!
Wonderful!
Thank you, Tom B
These dressings sound amazing! Sorry for a newbie question… What is a ‘small work bowl’. Are you talking about a food processor?
Hey Cathy! not at all. Yes a small work bowl food processor 🙂
Thanks, for the reply. I made the carrot ginger salad dressing as I’m doing the Whole 30. OMG, it’s sooooo good. Whole family loved it. I’ll be making this again, Whole 30 or not. YUM! Thanks for posting!
Thank you, Cathy! If you have time, give the caper chive and herbed tahini a try. People love those two as well! 😀
I have yet to find a recipe from I <3 Umami that I don't absolutely love and these dressings are no exception. I made the Creamy Caper Chive Dressing to go with the Keto Smoked Salmon Salad and had to stop myself from tasting spoonfuls of the dressing as I prepped the salad! Thank you CHIHYU for providing us with quick delicious healthy recipes.
Thanks so much, Laura!
We tried all of them and my family and I absolutely love all the variety in this post! The caper chive and tahini dill and carrot ginger are our favorites and they go well with so many things. The yogurt mint is great for dipping sauce. We serve it with sliced carrots, apples, and celery sticks. Easy and healthy snacks when you are on Whole30. Thank you, Chihyu!!
Thank you, Rebecca!
The carrot ginger came out perfect !!! I find a lot of recipes do not come out so great on Pinterest. This dressing came out AMAZING !!!!
Thank you so much, April!
I’m all about the dressing when it comes to salads! These are perfect and Whole30 as well, genius!
Thanks, Stacey!
I’m always on the look out for new salad dressings – these all look so good! Loving the sound of the carrot ginger dressing – I can’t wait to try it!
I use homemade dressing all of the time! Thanks for sharing all of these choices
These all sound wonderful! Whole30 is all about keeping it interesting for me, and these are great ideas for updating a boring salad I have eaten 10x in a month. I love the carrot/ginger – I would never thought of something like that 🙂
Thank you, Katie!
These all look amazing and I don’t even know which one to try first, but maybe the herbed tahini one since I’m really having a moment with tahini right now!
Wow, these are so beautiful and impressive. Salads are my favorite these days, so I can’t wait to try these dressings!
Dressings are the secret to healthy cooking! You can do anything with a great dressing like yours. Love the flavors!
I’m always looking for new paleo salad dressings. These all sound delicious! I can’t wait to try some of them out!
All of these are AMAZING!!! Thank you for sharing!
I am all for that sweet basil citrus! **heading to get some fresh basil now**
My mouth is just watering! I love all of these unique flavors – I am in need of a dressing flavor change up! I love the chive one – going to make that today!
Had the creamy caper…and the carrot ginger is so next. WOwzer, salads are INTERESTING and oh so delicious now!
Thanks, Tessa. So happy to hear that!
Amazing ways to dress a salad and make it presentable. Surely while hosting events I will apply this recipe and presentation.