We have salad almost every night with our dinner. Nothing fancy… I typically just put out the tub of organic mixed greens from Sam’s Club and the family dishes from that. My kids love salad, so if all else fails and they don’t want to eat whatever it is we are having for dinner, I feel good knowing that they at least got some greens in them.
The other night my son was the first one to get his salad, and as I looked over at him I noticed he had my favorite salad dressing and had taken the very last drop of it. I was so bummed and ended up eating a dry, tasteless salad that night. I don’t know why it never crosses my mind to make homemade salad dressing for just our weeknight dinners. I typically reserve that for a dolled up, fancy salad… not family mealtime. Realizing that was about as silly of a notion as one could get, I decided I would return to making our salad dressings from scratch, even if it is just for our nightly dinners.
First up, this delicious Poppy Seed Salad Dressing. It is very similar to the salad dressing featured in my absolute favorite Special Spinach Salad recipe I posted back in March, but just slightly different. With the perfect blend of sweet and tangy, this lovely Poppy Seed Salad Dressing will have you wondering why you weren’t making salad dressing your way a long time ago!
Poppy Seed Salad Dressing)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup cider vinegar
- 4 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped onion
- 3 teaspoons ground mustard which I forgot to put in, but I bet it is a great addition
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup canola oil
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the first six ingredients.
- Slowly add oil, while whisking briskly. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
Kristen, this looks gorgeous!!
I love salad, and usually make my own ranch. Except that I use ranch mix…with mayo and milk.
But still, it’s close to homemade, right?
I will most definitely be giving this dressing a try. It’s such a pretty color!!
My mom always made a salad with spinach and poppy seed dressing. I don’t think she ever made the dressing, though…I’m going to have to try it! Thanks, Kristen!
This is gorgeous, Kristen. Absolutely gorgeous.
Homemade salad dressing is so good, there are very few bottled brands that I will even eat anymore. Sounds delish!
What pretty pictures, Kristen! I think if more people realized how easy it is to make their own salad dressing, store-bought would become a thing of the past.
there’s really nothing like homemade salad dressing…the flavors are so rich and delicious!
I’m always looking for a good homemade salad dressing because I don’t love dressing. Gotta try this!
That makes me want salad and I haven’t even eaten breakfast yet. Tasty!
I think salad dressings is one of those things that people sometimes forget how easy it is to make… and I always have ingredients in the pantry. Though the other night, I didn’t actually bother with the dressing — I just tossed a small spoon of mustard, a drizzle of balsamic and a splash of olive oil into the salad bowl and mixed.
I have never tried to make a salad dressing. This one could be tasty.
Gorgeous photos! I never get sick of salad. Can’t wait to try this dressing!
I could always use more recipes for great salad dressings – thanks for sharing your favorite with us 🙂 xo
it has never dawned on my to make my own dressing…. maybe i should start 🙂
I love making my own dressings! It’s so simple and fast that I almost never buy bottled any more. This looks delicious!
I love fresh homemade dressings…simple & healthy ingredients (have you ever looked at the label on store bought dressing? what is all that stuff anyway?). Thanks, I’m saving this one!
Oh my gosh that is gorgeous!!! And it sounds absolutely delicious!
Wow! You have outdone yourself on these pictures. If this tastes as good as it looks, it will be super delicious. I love poppy seed dressing, but never buy it for some reason. Probably because I can’t eat seeds 🙁
Thank you, this sounds GREAT!!!! I will make this, I love poppy seed dressing! XO, Pinky
Oooh, I was just looking for inspiration for a dressing for a winter salad of greens and seasonal fruit. I think this will fit the bill. Thanks.
I always make homemade dressings since they taste so much better than the bottled stuff. I have used one recipe for poppy seed dressing for many years, but this is a bit different, so I will give it a try! The pictures are great.
This dressing looks wonderful! I hardly ever make dressings but I so should, thanks!
Once you make your salad dressings at home, you’ll never go back to the store bought kind. Don’t forget the easiest Italian dressing on the planet. Fresh greens tossed only with extra virgin olive oil and salt. Whenever I’m in Italy at my relatives’ homes, that’s the only way they dress their salads.
honestly? i never buy dressing in a bottle – it’s so easy to make at home and i almost always have what i need in my pantry. the color on this dressing is gorgeous!!
for whatever reason, organic watercress with the roots attached has been on sale around here. nice change to the bag of lettuce, and because it’s still alive (sort of, I guess), it lasts forever.
got some great ideas from the Spilled Milk salad dressing episode.
Best to you and yours this holiday. Cheers!
Kristen, did I inadvertently send you a comment a couple of minutes ago – don’t want to send another even if that wasn’t ready?
Kristen, made the poppy seed salad dressing using the powdered mustard – it really is delicious – we had spinach, clementines, pomegranate seeds and toasted almonds – great salad which my husband loved and said I could make it anytime – and I guess I will be.
Thanks much for your blog which I find delightful and informative and all good wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy, Successful New Year to you and yours from an 88-year old admirer.
Kristen, Thanks for this article. You bet but decorative Salad definitely make you really feel hungry. More than you are. Nice work.