Two-Minute Creamy Salad Dressing

Elizabeth Passarella
Elizabeth Passarella
Elizabeth Passarella is the author of the essay collection Good Apple and a contributing editor at Southern Living. A former editor at Real Simple and Vogue, she has spent more than 20 years writing about food, travel, home design, and parenting in outlets including The New York…read more
updated Nov 14, 2023
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Sometimes a basic vinaigrette just won’t do. Sometimes we need a velvety, creamy dressing drizzled on our greens. And yet ranch dressing can sometimes feel a little … salad-bar-at-the-steakhouse? Occasionally, yes, I love it. But this dressing, well, this has a little more ooh-la-la in its favor. And it’s so, so easy.

The key to this dressing is a generous dollop of mayonnaise, which gives it body and creaminess. But unlike ranch dressing, which usually calls for buttermilk and a host of herbs and spices, I keep this dressing simple — just add a little Dijon mustard and a nice, tangy Champagne vinegar.

Ways to Use Creamy Salad Dressing

This dressing is complex and lovely, perfect for dressing a simple plate of greens, like our favorite side salad, or for using as a dip for a party platter of veggies.

Two-Minute Creamy Salad Dressing

Makes enough for 2 salads

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon

    Dijon or grainy mustard

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons

    mayonnaise or whole-milk plain yogurt

  • Pinch

    salt

  • Pinch

    granulated sugar

  • Freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 tablespoon

    Champagne or white wine vinegar

Instructions

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  1. Whisk the mustard, mayonnaise or yogurt, salt, sugar, and pepper together in a small bowl until combined. Add the vinegar and whisk until smooth. Toss with salad greens and serve.

Recipe Notes

Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

This recipe was originally published April 2010.