5-Minute Creamy Garlic and Herb Salad Dressing Recipe

This is my favorite garlic and herb salad dressing recipe and its ready in just 5 minutes!  Perfect on salads, for dipping, or using it as a spread or marinade, my creamy garlic and herb salad dressing is packed with flavor and freshness.

Homemade Garlic and Herb Vinaigrette

Garlic and herbs provide the bulk of the flavors in this creamy garlic and herb vinaigrette dressing. With a simple ingredients list, it’s so much better than store-bought dressing!

I make this creamy garlic and herb salad dressing recipe several times throughout the summer, especially when locally-grown produce is available.

Besides being ready in just five minutes, this garlic and herb dressing mix goes with basically everything. Besides going beautifully with any salad, like from my shaved brussels sprouts salad or tomato burrata salad, you can drizzle it over your veggies, like brussel sprouts or roasted veggies. Its also on of my favorite marinades for pork and potatoes or chicken. 

This low-carb and sugar-free dressing goes so well with so many things that it might be my all-time favorite dressing!

This dressing is fabulous just as it is, but the beauty of scratch-made salad dressings is that you can customize them however you like! Add a bit of spice with some red pepper flakes or mustard, bump up the garlic if you’re a garlic lover, or add a Southwestern twist with chopped cilantro or dried parsley. 

Pantry Staples You’ll Need for this Salad Dressing

Most of the ingredients for this creamy garlic dressing are what I would consider pantry staples. I created this recipe using dried herbs and spices, because I knew they were things I would always have without a trip to the store. You can swap dried for fresh if you desire, but you will get great results straight using dried.

You’ll need mayonnaise, milk, golden balsamic vinegar (but apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar will do just as well), and kosher salt.  For the “herb” part of your garlic and herb dressing, you will need dried parsley, dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and freshly ground pepper.  I like using garlic powder and onion powder, because you get the same flavor without having big chunks of garlic or onion in your dressing. If you prefer using fresh garlic, I recommend tossing the mixture into a blender for a silky smooth texture. 

Possible Substitutes and Variations:

• You can use greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a low-fat options, or half sour cream and half mayonnaise for a tangier garlic salad dressing.
• If you want to use it as a veggie dip, I recommend omitting the milk entirely!
• If you want to turn it into a sandwich spread, reduce the milk to a 1/4 cup and it will be the perfect consistency to spread on a club sandwich or bacon avocado beef burger.

Storage

Homemade dressings should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. An added reason to make it in a shaker jar is that you can mix and store while only using one container.

Most homemade dressings will keep at least 3-5 days and up to the lifespan of their ingredients. If you use milk that will be bad in a day, so will your dressing. Using the freshest possible dairy will extend the life of your dressing.

The garlic flavor will intensify as this dressing sits. Once you’ve had it in the fridge for a few days, it’s going to taste much more garlicky than the first day you made it.

While that is great encouragement for garlic lovers to make it a day in advance, make sure you taste it before pouring it all over your salad.

Creamy Garlic Dressing

Creamy garlic dressing combines spicy garlic and refreshing herbs. Try it as a veggie dip, salad dressing, sandwich spread, or marinade.

4.3 stars (12 ratings)

prep: 5 minutes minutes

total: 5 minutes minutes

servings: 8 servings

author: Renee N Gardner

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Ingredients

• 2/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup milk*
• 1/2 teaspoon golden balsamic vinegar*
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon dried dill
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/8 teaspoon paprika
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

• Measure all ingredients into a pint sized canning jar. 
• Secure the lid tightly, cover with a kitchen towel, and shake until thoroughly combined. 1 – 2 minutes. 
• Open the jar & scrape down the sides. If needed, re-secure the lid and shake to finish mixing. 
• Store in the fridge for up to 7 days, or as long as your ingredients are fresh. 
• The intensity of the garlic will increase the longer it sits, so be sure to taste it before use. If it gets too strong, try adding in additional yogurt or milk to lessen the garlic’s flavor. 

Recommended Kitchen Tools

measuring spoons

mixing bowl and whisk  – OR – dressing shaker – OR – a lidded mason jar

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Notes

*Recipe calls for up to 1/2 cup of milk for a dressing. For a thick, creamy dip, omit the milk. Use 1/4 cup for the consistency of a sandwich spread. Use 1/2 cup for a thinner, pourable dressing. Adjust to taste.

**If you have trouble finding golden balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar makes a great substitute.

Nutrition

Serving: 2TBSPCalories: 134kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 271mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and is for general information purposes only. For the most accurate information, calculate using your select brands and exact measurements.

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