4 Fresh and Healthy Salad Dressing Recipes to Try This Summer

Contents

1. Creamy Cracked Pink Pepper Dressing 2. Zesty Cranberry and Lemon Herb Dressing 3. Sweet and Spicy Curried Caper Dressing 4. Simple “Honey” Mustard Dressing Salad Recipes

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If you’re looking to keep your calorie count low when enjoying salads, the easiest way to do it is to keep the fatty oils out of your dressing and just opt for whole foods that provide a good source of nutrients along with their fats. For example, olives, avocados, coconut, and nuts and seeds are all awesome options to use in whole food format versus just their oil. Why not get all the benefits of the food besides just the fat, right?

For example, you can simply add a tablespoon of your favorite nuts or seeds, or a quarter of an avocado to your salad, and then drizzle on some naturally fat-free salad dressings like those below. You then have yourself a nutritious and delicious salad that isn’t dripping with oil or dairy-based creamy sauces.

Give these a try for an incredible flavor that’s also healthy for you!

1. Creamy Cracked Pink Pepper Dressing

Pink pepper offers a striking color to this dressing, which makes any salad stand out from the crowd. The cucumber is loaded with minerals and provides a refreshing undertone, and the nutritional yeast thickens things up and gives the dressing more body. To make a batch, you’ll need:

1 tsp pink cracked peppercorns

See also Vegan quiches and frittatas, a match made in heaven? We think so! Here are 15 mouth-watering plant-based recipes to start your day off right.Discover the magic of flaky crusts, oozing with creamy filling, and packed with nutrients. Whether you're a busy morning person or a cozy brunch enthusiast, these quiches and frittatas are sure to become a staple in your kitchen.From savory to sweet, and from classic to creative, our collection has got you covered. So go ahead, get cracking (pun intended), and treat yourself to a world of plant-based possibilities!1. Spinach and Mushroom Quiche – A match made in heaven2. Roasted Veggie Frittata – The perfect way to use up last night's leftovers3. Smoky Black Bean and Sweet Potato Quiche – Add some heat to your morning4. Butternut Squash and Sage Frittata – Fall flavors in the making5. Green Chili and Corn Frittata – A Southwestern twist for a flavorful start6. Mushroom, Spinach, and Tofu Quiche – For all you tofu lovers out there7. Broccoli and Cheddar Frittata – The ultimate comfort food8. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Quiche – A fiesta in your mouth9. Zucchini and Goat Cheese Frittata – A light and refreshing start10. Tomato and Basil Quiche – A taste of summer all year round11. Kale and Mushroom Frittata – For all you green juice enthusiasts out there12. Sun-dried Tomato and Spinach Frittata – The perfect combination of flavors13. Carrot and Ginger Frittata – A sweet and spicy start to the day14. Asparagus and Lemon Quiche – Brighten up your morning with this zesty delight15. Caprese Frittata – Fresh mozzarella, anyone?Get ready to rise and shine (pun intended) with these incredible vegan quiches and frittatas!

Place everything but the peppercorns in your blender and mix on high until well combined. Pour the dressing into a reusable container, add the peppercorns, and give the dressing a little shake. Add some extra flavor and texture to your mushrooms by marinating them in this dressing.

2. Zesty Cranberry and Lemon Herb Dressing

Why wait until a special holiday like Thanksgiving to enjoy the zesty flavor and health benefits of cranberries? Dried cranberries are available for use year-round, and they are a natural thickener that comes in handy when making homemade dressings. Not to mention, cranberries just so happen to help cleanse the liver and protect the heart. Gather the following ingredients to make this elegant salad topping:

1 peeled zucchini (optional, for texture)

The fresh juice of one lemon

3 sprigs each of basil, parsley, and thyme or a mix of your favorites

1 tbsp sweetener of choice, or 1-2 dates

Just blend everything on high until it’s nice and creamy! This makes a great base for vegetable soup and stir-fry too.

3. Sweet and Spicy Curried Caper Dressing

Take your taste buds to India with the help of this rich and decadent dressing. The turmeric in curry powder acts as an anti-inflammatory and may even relieve headaches. The capers in this dressing provide a rich and salty flavor that will make your salad completely satisfying as a meal in itself. Get busy in the kitchen with these ingredients:

1 peeled zucchini (optional, for texture)

Blend all of the ingredients to create a sweet curry dressing with a serious spicy kick. If you find the dressing too spicy for your liking, add a date or two to the mix to sweeten things up a little more. Drizzle this dressing on steamed veggies or rice to spice up your dinner plate.

See also Are you tired of wondering whether your favorite products are harming animals? Do you want to make a positive impact on the environment and animal welfare? We've got you covered. Here's a list of 20 common animal-derived ingredients and their plant-based alternatives.1. Gelatin: Derived from animal bones and connective tissue, gelatin is often used in food, photography, and cosmetics. The alternative is agar or carrageenan.2. Honey: While some bees are happy to help with pollination, honey production can be detrimental to bee colonies. Coconut nectar or maple syrup make excellent substitutes.3. Lanolin: Obtained from sheep's wool, lanolin is used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Its plant-based alternative is coconut oil or olive oil.4. Collagen: A protein derived from animal bones and skin, collagen is often used in skincare products. Look for alternatives like aloe vera, green tea extract, or vitamin E oil.5. Casein: A milk-derived ingredient used in food and cosmetics, casein can be replaced with pea protein or potato starch.6. L-Carnitine: Found in animal-based supplements, L-carnitine is also synthetically produced. Consider taking a synthetic version instead.7. Whey: The liquid part of milk after cheese production, whey is used in food and supplements. Its plant-based alternative is pea protein or potato starch.8. Pepsin: An enzyme derived from animal stomachs, pepsin helps digest proteins. Try fungal-based pepsin alternatives like Aspergillus or Mucor.9. Caseinate: A milk-derived ingredient used in food and cosmetics, caseinate can be replaced with pea protein or potato starch.10. Chitin: A polysaccharide found in crustacean shells, chitin is used in various industries. Its plant-based alternative is beta-glucans from mushrooms or algae.11. Keratin: A protein derived from animal horns and hair, keratin is used in cosmetics and skincare products. Look for alternatives like aloe vera, green tea extract, or vitamin E oil.12. Gel Spa: Many spa products contain gelatin, which can be replaced with agar or carrageenan.13. Silk: Used in clothing and textiles, silk is often produced through animal-based sericulture. Consider vegan-friendly alternatives like Tencel or bamboo fibers.14. Collagen Peptides: A protein supplement derived from animal bones and skin, collagen peptides are also synthetically produced. Opt for synthetic versions instead.15. Gelatin Gummies: Many gummy products contain gelatin. Look for plant-based alternatives like agar or carrageenan.16. Lecithin: A phospholipid derived from animal eggs or soybeans, lecithin is used in food and supplements. Choose a soy-derived or synthetic version instead.17. Shellac: A resin derived from the secretions of female lac bugs, shellac is used as a food coating and adhesive. Its plant-based alternative is carnauba wax or beeswax.18. Carmine: A red food coloring derived from crushed beetles, carmine is often used in cosmetics and food products. Consider using natural alternatives like beet juice or turmeric.19. Tannins: Plant-derived compounds that can be found in various products, tannins are also synthetically produced. Opt for synthetic versions instead.20. Squalane: A moisturizing ingredient derived from animal liver oil, squalane is used in cosmetics and skincare products. Look for plant-based alternatives like olive oil or sweet potato starch.

4. Simple “Honey” Mustard Dressing

Honeybees have enough problems to face, and there is no need to add to them by exploiting their honey. Luckily, you don’t have to stress out the bees to enjoy foods that traditionally have honey in them. Here’s a vegan take on the ever-popular honey mustard dressing that you have known and loved growing up:

Either blend the mixture until well combined, or mince the garlic by hand and replace the dates with agave nectar or maple syrup and mix the dressing by hand. This dressing also makes a great topping for wraps and sandwiches.

Make a couple of batches of any of these dressings at a time so you always have something tasty and healthy to turn to when you’re in need of some extra flavor. Also check out some other oil-free, dairy-free salad dressing options for more naturally fresh ideas for all your salad recipes.

Salad Recipes

Learn How to Cook Plant-Based Meals at Home

Reducing your meat intake and incorporating more plant-based foods into your diet is known to Support various health benefits, including reducing chronic inflammation, improving heart health, enhancing mental well-being, achieving fitness goals, meeting nutritional needs, managing allergies, and promoting gut health, among others. Dairy consumption also has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer, prostate cancer, and has many side effects.

For those of you interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend grabbing our favorite plant-based cookbooks and downloading the Food Monster App — with over 20,000 delicious recipes, it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals, and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

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Here are some great resources to get you started:

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