Five creamy Yogurt Salad Dressings made with NO MAYONNAISE! These healthier creamy salad dressings taste so good, you might ditch that jar of mayo for good.
Choose from an all purpose Lemon Yogurt Dressing, a No Mayo Potato Salad Dressing, a flavour packed healthier Yogurt Caesar Salad Dressing, Yogurt Ranch Dressing AND a wickedly creamy oil-free Honey Mustard Dressing! Brought to you in partnership with Farmers Union Greek-style Yogurt.
Today, I’m sharing my favourite Yogurt Salad Dressing recipes that I use in place of popular mayo based salad dressings.
There will always be occasions that call for a grand classic Potato Salad or everyone’s favourite Coleslaw, in all it’s mayo-loaded glory! But in these parts, especially with my group of friends, non-mayo salad options are in high demand.
So over the years, I’ve built up an arsenal of creamy yogurt based salad dressings and it’s high time I shared. Here’s my top 5:
1. Creamy Lemon Yogurt Salad Dressing – all purpose beauty!
2. Yogurt Potato Salad Dressing – I love the little pops of mustard seeds in this.
3. Oil Free Honey Mustard Dressing – take my favourite Honey Mustard Dressing and switch all the oil with yogurt = same creamy lusciousness with less guilt!
4. Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing – another all purpose beauty (because I use this on everything).
5. Healthier Yogurt Caesar Dressing – this packs a serious flavour punch, just like the classic Caesar Salad Dressing.
The essential base ingredient for all these dressings is THIS – a good thick Greek yogurt. My choice: Farmers Union Greek-Style Yogurt. Always has been, for as long as I can remember.
Here’s a rundown on each of the dressings and what to use them for.
1. Creamy Lemon Yogurt Salad Dressing (The All Rounder)
This is my all purpose yogurt dressing, the one I use for any salad whether it’s a simple garden salad, a full loaded chicken salad, a pasta salad (like classic Macaroni Salad), Creamy Broccoli Salad or Coleslaw. It’s made with Greek yogurt, olive oil, garlic, and a nice hit of freshness from lemon.
2. Healthier Yogurt Potato Salad Dressing
A fabulously creamy, flavour loaded potato salad dressing made without mayonnaise IS possible! Made with Greek yogurt, a good dose of both Dijon and wholegrain mustard, plus a nice hit of fresh herbs, any potato salad tossed with this Yogurt Potato Salad Dressing is terrific on the day but is even BETTER the next day…. Just use this Potato Salad recipe and switch the dressing for this one!
3. Oil-Free Honey Mustard Dressing
The classic Honey Mustard Dressing is made with equal parts honey, mustard, vinegar and oil. When you give it a big shake, the oil emulsifies with the other ingredients so you end up with a beautiful creamy dressing.
In this healthier version, the oil is switched for yogurt. It’s just as creamy and luscious and indulgent tasting, with far lower calories. It’s a winner!
4. Healthier Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing
A healthier version of America’s most popular salad dressing! Usually made with mayonnaise and buttermilk, this healthier Ranch Dressing is made with Greek Yogurt and olive oil, plus a good dose of Ranch Dressing seasonings.
Ranch Dressing is so good, I use it as an all purpose dressing for anything that usually calls for a creamy dressing, from garden salads to pasta salads and corn salad.
But my favourite is to use it for what I call a SouthWest Salad, pictured below. Lettuce, cherry tomatoes, corn, black beans, red onion, optional chicken and bacon, drizzled with this Yogurt Ranch Dressing. It’s so good!!
5. Healthier Yogurt Caesar Dressing
If you have it in your head that yogurt dressings are bland, try this healthier Yogurt Caesar Salad Dressing. It will knock your socks off! It’s SO GOOD it really makes me question why I should ever make the mayo version again! Use this classic Caesar Salad recipe (optional chicken) with this healthier Yogurt Caesar Dressing.
THESE ARE VERY, VERY GOOD
“Healthy” has a bad reputation for meaning “bland”. There’s no denying that when you strip fat out of salad dressings, you lose a certain element of creaminess on your palette as you munch through a pile of crunchy greens.
But by using a good, thick yogurt in place of mayonnaise and adjusting seasonings to compensate for the loss of fat in the dressings, you can still make very, very good creamy dressings that you can use generously on your salads. I use these dressings far more frequently in day to day life than I do mayonnaise based ones.
I’d really love to know what you think if you try any of them! – Nagi x
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
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Healthier Creamy Yogurt Salad Dressings
Ingredients
Creamy Lemon Yogurt Salad Dressing:
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt , preferably Greek
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp garlic , minced
- 1 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
Yogurt Ranch Dressing:
- 1 cup plain yogurt , preferably Greek
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small garlic clove , minced
- 1/4 tsp EACH dried dill, parsley, chives, garlic powder, black pepper
- 1/2 tsp EACH onion powder, mustard powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp white sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
Yogurt Potato Salad Dressing:
- 1 cup plain yogurt , preferably Greek
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp milk
- 2 tbsp wholegrain mustard
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 2 tsp white sugar
- 1/4 cup fresh chives , finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder, onion powder
Oil-Free Honey Mustard Dressing:
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt , preferably Greek
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 1/2 tbsp cider vinegar
- 1/4 tsp EACH garlic powder, salt and pepper
Yogurt Caesar Salad Dressing:
- 1 cup plain yogurt , preferably Greek
- 1/2 garlic clove , minced
- 2 anchovy fillets or 3/4 tsp Anchovy paste (Note 2)
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp white sugar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 - 4 tbsp milk (adjust consistency)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
All Dressings except Caesar:
- Mix ingredients in a bowl. Set aside for 30 minutes+ to allow flavours to develop.
- Use milk to adjust to desired consistency.
Caesar Salad Dressing:
- Blitz in a food processor until smooth. Use milk to adjust consistency.
Recipe Notes:
2. Ranch: Great all rounder, use for leafy greens, garden salads, SouthWest Salad (Note 3), Creamy Broccoli Salad, Macaroni Salad, drizzle over iceberg wedges.
3. Potato Salad Dressing: For potato salad.
4. Honey Mustard Dressing: Use for leafy greens, garden salads, a chicken saladlike this one, would also be great with this Roast Sweet Potato Salad.
5. Caesar Salad: For Caesar salad - chicken is optional. Also terrific to dipping in crisp lettuce leaves and vegetable sticks. Would also be terrific on this Mexican Corn Salad.
1. Yogurt - I use Farmers Union Greek-style Yogurt (available widely in Australia). Plain yogurt will work fine too. Just ensure it's a good thick one. Low fat will also work but cut back on the sour (vinegar) in the dressings (as low fat yogurt is more sour than full fat) 2. Anchovy fillets are key to achieve a true restaurant quality flavour for Caesar Salad. You can't taste it, it's the salt for the dressing. Use the dark brown anchovy fillets in oil , not the white anchovy fillets that are brined in vinegar, not oil. Substitutions: If you really prefer not to use anchovies, 1 tsp of fish sauce will be an adequate substitute. If you're allergic to fish, use 1 tsp light or all purpose soy sauce. 3. Storage - These dressings keep for 3 days in the fridge, best to take them out 30 minutes prior to using.
LIFE OF DOZER
He spends a lot of time doing this.
I spend a lot of time vacuuming that darn rug. It fills my entire Dyson, every time!!
PS Yes, his Modesty Daisy will always be present when he’s splaying it all out like that. 😂
Today’s recipe is brought to you courtesy of Farmers Union. I’ve used their Greek style natural yogurt for as long as I can remember. So it was a no brainer when they asked if I’d create a recipe for them!!
I have made the ranch and caeser dressings. Both are wonderful.
I genuinely enjoyed the ranch dressing, very good thank you!
I’ve made the yogurt ranch dressing many times. I won’t be buying off the shelf dressings again. Thank you Nagi 😀
The Ranch Dressing is very good! Thank you! (I found half the recipe made enough for 4 side salad servings.)
I made the ranch dressing to go with Buffalo wings and even though I had no dried parsley… Omg! It was amazing!!! Definitely a go to for me from now on. Looking forward to trying the others too
I made the honey mustard dressing…OUTSTANDING! I look forward to making dishes from your website. Thank you!
Nagi these dressings are just awesome and I’m ready to try the others bah the Lemon Yogurt one which I have already tried and it’s JUST delicious with the chicken pasta salad. My husband isn’t a pasta person but he couldn’t get enough of this salad. Thank you Nagi (and Dozer) for trying it out aww
OMG!!! The Caesar dressing is fantastic!!! I used full fat Greek yogurt but will try the light version next time (half batch in case it’s not as good). I can’t wait to try the lemon and ranch!!!!
I need to know how many calories and carbs are in a serving of salad dressings (creamy lemon yogurt)
I made the Caesar dressing today & it tastes great, but it is very runny, does anyone know how to thicken it.
I’ve made the Lemon yoghurt dressing twice this fortnight – it’s delicious! So easy and goes a long way on the coleslaw…
It’s a great one to have with a summer slaw – I’m happy you liked it Nicola! N x
The lemon yogurt dressing is amazing! Every bit as good as the homemade blue cheese dressing we’ve been making, but so much healthier and less expensive. Thank you!
Woohoo!! Love a healthy alternative Eddie!! N x
Hi how long does the lemon dressing keep in the fridge?
See Note 3 under the recipe, Sarah! N x
Can this go in the freezer and if so how long would it last?
Hi Lauren – not recommended for freezing, sorry! N x
Hi Nagi can you freeze the Caesar salad dressing ?
Freezing will affect the dressing too much – the yogurt will split. You can make it three days ahead no problem though. N x
All the dressings are soooo gooood
Of course you can make adjustments but if you follow the recipes they are perfect
Why would anyone buy dressings from the store
Hi Nagi, I live in an Indian family, and my mom makes yogurt or dahi everyday at home. Dahi is thinner than Greek yogurt and has more water. Will it be okay if I use dahi to make the creamy lemon dressing? And are there any recommendations on how to not make the pasta salad soggy?
Thanks for the great recipes! I always know they will work out and completely trust them!
Hi Nagi, could I make the dressings above like the ranch or caesar without any oil? How will that affect the taste or texture?
Hi Tanja, it won’t be quite the same texture that sticks to salads, but you could always thin them down with half the amount of oil called for with milk or water. N x
Cesar salad dressing: I’m all for adding a dash of cream, mayo, butter or sour cream to my cooking, but I can’t get my head around making a meal as calorie dense as cesar salad without a large offset of nutrients. However the ‘lighter’ dressing is a fabulous alternative. It delivers a full depth of flavour without leaving you feeling heavy from the traditional dressing. My partner had no idea it was a lower fat version, and I doubt I would have known either!
Thanks for another wonderful recipe Nagi!
Counting calories makes you stupid though, sorry to say, it’s pointless, just avoid simple carbs instead, then you rarely would have to count calories, as fat is more than twice the energy as carbs, and will make you feel full faster, as well as healthy! Carbs is your enemy, not fat! We need fat, but we do NOT need carbs 🙂
As someone with 1 degree in dietetics and soon to be 2, please do not give out inaccurate information. We needs carbs just as much as fat. Carbs are the bodies preferred source of energy. You really only need to worry if you have pre diabetes or diabetes.
Made the ranch for a salad. Amazing!