A Condiment Cost-Cutting Guide, Part III

 If you enjoyed the condiment recipes in our Condiment Cost-Cutting Guide, Part I or Part II, then you’ll love this follow-up containing salad dressing recipes.

Most popular dressings can easily be made at home. Whether you prefer Thousand Island (Russian), Ranch, Italian, Honey Mustard or my favorite “Whatever is Left” dressing, all you have to do is combine the ingredients listed. Let the mixtures sit in the fridge for a day to give the flavors a chance to meld. Oil and vinegar mixtures should go in the blender for about 40 seconds to mix properly.

Thousand Island Dressing

• 1/4 Cup chili sauce
• 2 Tbsp chopped gherkins or pickle relish
• 1 chopped shallot or green onion
• 1 tsp grated horseradish

Ranch Dressing (See Part 1 for garlic and onion powder recipes)

•  1 ½ Cups sour cream
• 1 1/2Cups mayonnaise 
• ¾ Cup milk (adjust for consistency) 
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder or freshly chopped green onions
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp parsley dried flakes
• 1/2 tsp dried dill 

Ranch Dressing (See Part 1 for onion and garlic salt recipes)

• 1 Cup mayonnaise
• 1 Cup buttermilk (adjust for consistency)
• 15 saltine crackers
• 2 Cups minced parsley flakes
• 1/2 Cup dry minced onion
• 2 Tbsp dry dill
• 1/4 Cup onion salt
• 1/4 Cup garlic salt
• 1/4 Cup onion powder
• 1/4 Cup garlic powder 

Italian Dressing

• 1½ Cups vegetable oil 
• ½ Cup white wine vinegar  
• 2 tsp oregano 
• 2 tsp basil
• 2 Tbsp garlic powder
• 1 ½ Tbsp salt
• 2 tsp onion powder 
• 2 tsp paprika
• 6 Tbsp sugar 
• 1 ½ Tbsp ground black pepper 

 

Honey Mustard Dressing

•  1 Cup mayonnaise
• 5 Tbsp honey
• 5 Tbsp mustard
• 1 tsp paprika

Whatever is Left Dressing, Oil & Vinegar or Creamy

You can make your own unique blends for creamy salad dressing simply by combining 2 parts buttermilk to 1 part mayonnaise and adding 1 or 2 tsp of your favorite herbs or spices. Two of my favorites are parsley chive and garlic curry.

Make a vinegar and oil based dressing simply by blending 3 parts vegetable or olive oil to 1 part of your favorite vinegar on high for 40 seconds or until well blended. Add 1 or 2 tsp of your favorite spices to taste, add a little sugar to balance the vinegar, chill overnight and enjoy. My favorite is honey garlic.

Cheese Dressings, Blue Gorgonzola or Roquefort

It may seem like an expensive luxury, but blue cheese dressing is a basic food that’s easy to make. The recipe can be altered for Gorgonzola or Roquefort by simply substituting for equal amounts of cheese. Make it just like other creamy dressings, but withhold the cheese until the remainder is blended, then add the cheese crumbles.

• 1 Cup sour cream
• 1 Cup mayonnaise 
• 2/3 Cup buttermilk
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp dry mustard
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt or sea salt
• 4 ounces blue cheese, finely crumbled

Bonus – Make Your Own Sea Salt

If you live near the ocean, you can make your own sea salt. The waters along the Atlantic are best for this, but any clean ocean water will do. Simply run sea water through fabric to filter impurities, then pour into large shallow trays and leave in the sun to dry. When the water evaporates, just sea salt will remain.