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Home Side Salads

5 Healthier, Creamy Yogurt Salad Dressings

By:Nagi
Published:19 Nov '18Updated:13 Nov '20
141 Comments
Recipe v Video v Dozer v

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.

Close up of jar with Healthy Caesar salad Dressing (no mayo)

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.

Overhead photo of Healthy Caesar with Yogurt Dressing (no mayo)

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.

Farmers Union Greek Style Yogurt

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.

Coleslaw with Creamy Yogurt Lemon Dressing

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!

Close up of Healthy creamy no mayo Potato Salad being poured over potato

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!

Oil Free Honey Mustard Dressing being poured over lettuce

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!!

Yogurt Ranch Dressing being poured over SouthWest Chicken Salad

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.

Spoon drizzling Healthy Caesar salad Yogurt Dressing on salad

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

Photo of 5 Healthier Yogurt Salad Dressings

WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT

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Close up of jar with Healthy Caesar salad Dressing (no mayo yoghurt dressing)

Healthier Creamy Yogurt Salad Dressings

Author: Nagi
Prep: 10 mins
Total: 10 mins
Salad Dressing
5 from 36 votes
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Recipe video above. Here's 5 very, very good creamy dressings made with yogurt instead of mayonnaise. All the flavour of their traditional mayo-based counterparts, but less fat and better for you! You might ditch that jar of mayo for good!

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:

Suggestions for Use:
1. Creamy Lemon Dressing: Great all rounder, use for leafy greens, garden salads, Coleslaw, Macaroni Salad.
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.
Recipe Notes:
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.
Keywords: Yogurt Salad Dressings
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @RecipeTinEats.

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. 😂

Dozer rolling around on shaggy rug with toy bird

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!!

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I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative!

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141 Comments

  1. TerryF says

    February 4, 2023 at 2:55 pm

    5 stars
    The Ranch Dressing is very good! Thank you! (I found half the recipe made enough for 4 side salad servings.)

    Reply
  2. Lauren says

    January 30, 2023 at 11:53 am

    5 stars
    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

    Reply
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I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

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