With the sweet and tangy balsamic, the rich extra virgin olive oil, the pungent garlic and mustard, and the subtle creaminess of coconut milk or cream, this dairy-free salad dressing is a healthy and delicious way to enjoy your greens.
I’m the queen of simple salad dressings because I like to keep my cooking uncomplicated. But if you have a little extra coconut milk, cream or unsweetened coconut yogurt, it’s no trouble at all to add a couple tablespoons to your salad dressing – making it a lovely creamy texture with some added health benefits from the coconut milk too. I’m not really sure why it took me so long to think of it!
As part of our 21 steps to a nourishing diet, I wanted to take the opportunity to share a new dressing and point out how simple and better for you homemade salad dressing is! It’s very hard to find store-bought salad dressing that uses nourishing ingredients, and when you do, they often are pretty expensive. Thankfully salad dressings are one of the easiest things you can make, and they are so delicious.
The other day I sat in front of a green salad with vibrant, nutrient rich baby greens, walnuts, avocado and other delicious additions, all tossed with this dressing. I smiled when I thought of all of the lackluster salads I’ve been served at restaurants. This was so much better. You know you are doing something right when you prefer your own food at home.
When making your own salad dressings, you are trading out cheap oils for traditional ones, artificial flavors and MSG for the real flavors of herbs, spices, and garlic. You are trading highly processed foods, for gently processed, whole foods. It’s a good trade to make. Here is a list of some other lovely, nourishing salad dressings to choose from.
Other Healthy Salad Dressings:
Sweet Onion Poppyseed Dressing: This salad dressing is amazing with green salads topped with chicken and fruit. It’s sweetened with honey, and so flavorful!
This PDF is a sample of my cookbook, Fresh: Nourishing Salads for all Seasons. It has my recipe for Leon Salad (a favorite from the book) and two salad dressings, including my Simple Balsamic Dressing (that the below is a creamy version of), and my Everyday Salad Dressing using raw apple cider vinegar.
Kombucha Vinaigrette: Learn how to make kombucha vinegar and then a simple salad dressing out of it.
Orange Balsamic Dressing: This dressing is perfect for this time of year. I pair it with roasted beets, oranges, greens, and nuts for a lovely light lunch.
Spicy Asian Inspired Dressing: I love the dressing that goes along with this Thai Salad. So good!
Strawberry Salad Dressing: I share a video of my TV segment sharing two salad recipes, with links to my yummy strawberry balsamic dressing.
Because I love salad dressings so much, and wanted to make it as easy as possible for you all to enjoy making them yourself, I created a printout of 7 homemade salad dressings (some of the same ones above, plus others!). Get it above!
(By the way, my affiliate Vitacost is a great place to pick up organic balsamic vinegar and raw apple cider vinegar.)
- ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
- ⅔ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons dijon style mustard
- ¾ teaspoon unrefined salt
- 1-3 garlic cloves, peeled, and finely minced or put through a garlic press
- 2 tablespoons coconut milk (full fat), cream, or unsweetened, homemade coconut yogurt
- Mix all of the ingredients together by either whisking in a small bowl, or putting in a 2 cup jar, placing the lid on, and shaking. Shake before each use.
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Kim! I am a salad freak and I can honestly say this Creamy Balsamic is one of the best dressings I’ve tasted. Thank you so much for sharing with all of us!!
Gina,
I’m so glad you liked it! It’s one of my new favorites. 🙂
Wouldn’t it keep for longer than 3 days in the fridge? Seems like a large recipe to only last 3 days.
If it is better for the flavor to leave out o f the fridge maybe this is a good time to get cute containers and share with family and friends. Some of my fondest memories are when I would come home after work,my phone would start ringing and it would be a neighbor to tell me my supper was ready.
What Olive Oil do you recommend? And does the dressing taste like coconuts, with the coconut milk and yougrt? Thanks!
Thanks for the delish recipe!
I know this is for non dairy but i replaced the ” 2 tablespoons coconut milk (full fat), cream, or unsweetened, homemade coconut yogurt” with 2 tbs of low fat mayo and it tasted great
For a quick creamy salad dressing I “smash” in some avocado into any vinaigrette. The avocado is added nutrients and good fats, plus creates a very delicate, creamy consistency.
I made this dressing tonight because I needed something quick to make and had been wanting to try it. So delicious. Even better than I expected.
For anyone on the internet-ether looking for a more nourishing replacement for Brianna’s creamy balsamic http://www.briannassaladdressing.com/products/the-new-american/, a couple tweaks to this recipe were very close.
The same: 1/3 cup balsamic, 2 tsp dijon mustard, 1 grated garlic clove, s+p, 2 full Tblsp. sour cream into a measuring cup. Plus 1 Tblsp. maple syrup into a measuring cup, and then I added just enough olive oil to bring it up to a full 1 cup.
Very tasty Kimi!