Salad dressing can be as simple as a drizzle of olive oil.
Without salad dressing, a salad is just a side of lettuce or greens on a plate. It isn't the same without at least a little oil-, cream- or citrus-based sauce to coat the greens. Salad dressing complements the greens and other ingredients in the salad. For delicate greens, lighter oil-based dressings should be used and, for stronger flavored greens, a cream-based dressing is appropriate.
Vinaigrette Dressings
One of the most common types of salad dressings available, vinaigrettes combine vinegar and oil in its most simple form, with herbs and spices added for flavor. For example; adding garlic, oregano, parsley, basil and lemon juice turns it into an Italian dressing. Other vinaigrettes use different types of vinegar such as balsamic, a dark vinegar made from grape juice. Likewise, a red wine vinaigrette combines red wine vinegar with olive oil and optional herbs and spices. Other common vinaigrettes include Greek dressing and raspberry vinaigrette.
Creamy Dressings
Mayonnaise is the base for the most-known creamy dressings, such as Caesar, blue cheese and ranch dressings. According to Slate Magazine, ranch dressing has been the best-selling salad dressing in the United States since 1992. This creamy dressing, invented by the owners of a California dude ranch, combines mayonnaise with buttermilk, lemon juice, salt, pepper, paprika, mustard powder and fresh chives and dill. Although traditional Caesar salad is prepared with slightly coddled eggs, the oil and egg whisked together essentially make a mayonnaise, so prepared mayonnaise is often used in place of the egg. Other cream-based dressings use sour cream, creme fraiche or even yogurt as the main base.
Citrus Dressings
For citrus dressings, lemon, lime, grapefruit or orange juice is combined with herbs, spices and olive oil. For a basic citrus dressing, combine lemon juice with olive oil, and seasonings of your choice. Citrus juice is often combined with sweet ingredients such as honey or fruit. One such dressing combines orange juice, lime juice, honey, grated orange peel and olive oil, perfect for a salad that includes fruits such as strawberries, blueberries and tangerines.
Cooked Salad Dressings
While most salad dressings simply combine raw ingredients, others include ingredients that need to be cooked. For a southern-boiled salad dressing, raw egg is whisked into seasoned flour, along with mustard and evaporated milk. Cream and vinegar is added until the mixture thickens. Finally, butter is stirred in before placing the whole mixture in the fridge to chill. Caesar salad is also considered a cooked salad when you use the coddled eggs, which have been simmered briefly in hot water.
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