Food and Recipes Recipes 12 Easy Salad Dressing Recipes That Will Make You Skip Store-Bought By Southern Living Editors Southern Living Editors Since 1966, the editors of Southern Living have been carrying out the mission of the brand: to bring enjoyment, fulfillment, and inspiration to our readers by celebrating life in the South. We inspire creativity in their homes, their kitchens, their gardens, and their personal style. We are a friend they can trust, a guide to the seasons, a helping hand during the holidays, and a relentless champion of the Southern way of life. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on April 4, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke Southerners love their condiments. Though there are heated arguments over which regions' barbecue sauce is best and whether or not ranch belongs on pizza, we can all agree on one thing: When it comes to salad dressing, homemade is the way to go. If you think, "I don't have time for that!" let these easy salad dressing recipes speak for themselves. Tossing together a homemade vinaigrette before dinner makes such a big impact with only a few minutes of hands-on time. Whether you're craving a classic buttermilk ranch dressing or want to spice up your salad game with a jalapeño-lime vinaigrette, these unique salad dressing recipes will fit the bill for anything on the menu. Toss your favorite pasta salad with a bright lemon dressing or top grilled veggies with our summery basil vinaigrette. With these simple and flavorful homemade salad dressings, you'll pass right on by the condiment aisle at the grocery store. 01 of 12 Herbed Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Alison Miksch Recipe: Herbed Buttermilk Ranch Dressing This is our go-to homemade ranch dressing for any and all uses. 02 of 12 Green Goddess Dressing Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Katelyn Hardwick Recipe: Green Goddess Dressing We love this classic dressing atop salads or as a dip for veggies or wraps. 03 of 12 Lemon-Shallot Vinaigrette Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller Recipe: Lemon-Shallot Vinaigrette Our Test Kitchen says this is one of their most versatile dressing recipes of all time. 04 of 12 Honey Vinaigrette Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele Recipe: Honey Vinaigrette This subtle dressing is a great all-purpose vinaigrette to always have in your fridge. 05 of 12 Strawberry Vinaigrette Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Strawberry Vinaigrette This spring vinaigrette is another delicious way to use fresh strawberries. 06 of 12 Lime Vinaigrette Alison Miksch Recipe: Lime Vinaigrette This citrus vinaigrette tops one of our all-time favorite pasta salad recipes. 07 of 12 Buttermilk Dressing Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Buttermilk Dressing We love this cool buttermilk dressing over our Quick Chopped Salad, but it's a great staple to have in the fridge for anything. 08 of 12 Cucumber-Basil Dressing Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Stylist: Buffy Hargett Recipe: Cucumber-Basil Dressing This refreshing dressing is at its best served over a simple summer tomato salad. 09 of 12 Grandmama's Homemade Vinaigrette I_rinka/Getty Images Recipe: Grandmama's Homemade Vinaigrette You only need four ingredients for this goes-with-anything dressing. 10 of 12 Buttermilk-Parmesan Ranch Dressing Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipe: Buttermilk-Parmesan Ranch Dressing This homemade ranch dressing is just as delicious on a salad as it is with chicken wings. 11 of 12 Herb Vinaigrette Hector Sanchez Recipe: Herb Vinaigrette This light dressing is delicious paired with our Pasta with Heirloom Tomatoes, Goat Cheese, and Basil for a meatless summer dinner. 12 of 12 Summer Sauce Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele Recipe: Summer Sauce There are so many ways to use this Test Kitchen-favorite dressing. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit