Creamy Garlic Dressing
Perfect on salads, for dipping, or using it as a spread or marinade, Creamy Garlic Dressing is packed with flavor and freshness. This is an easy salad dressing to love, this tastes like summer in a bottle.
An Easy Homemade Garlic Salad Dressing
Garlic and herbs provide the bulk of the flavors in this creamy garlic dressing. With a simple ingredients list, it’s so much better than store-bought dressing. This homemade salad dressing is perfect for salads of all kinds, but it is versatile enough to be used in other ways (see my suggestions below.)
I make this creamy garlic dressing recipe several times throughout the summer, especially when locally-grown produce is available. I love snacking on carrots, and other veggies dipped into this creamy dip, or I’ll reach for the jar of dressing to spoon over fresh cucumbers and cherry tomatoes.
This low-carb and sugar-free dressing goes so well with so many things!
What You Need
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.
- Mayonnaise – I’m a Hellman’s purist when it comes to mayo, but your favorite is going to taste best to you.
- Milk – Whatever plain milk you keep on hand. The fat content doesn’t have a huge impact on the final results. You can even use unsweetened plant based milk or buttermilk.
- Golden balsamic vinegar – Or another light vinegar like apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar.
- Kosher Salt – Morton kosher salt is my first choice in recipe development.
- Dried parsley – Make sure your dried parsley isn’t too old – it loses its flavor quickly! You can also swap for fresh, use 3x as much fresh as you would dried.
- Dried dill – This can also be swapped for fresh, use 3x as much fresh as you would dried.
- Garlic powder – Made from dried and ground garlic, the smaller particles give you all the flavor without putting chunks into your dressing or requiring the use of a blender.
- Onion powder – Like the garlic powder, it’s made from dried and ground onion. The smaller particles give you all the flavor without putting chunks into your dressing or requiring the use of a blender.
- Paprika – I use a mild, unsmoked version, but you can also find smoked or hot paprikas too.
- Freshly ground black pepper
Recommended Kitchen Tools
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- measuring spoons
- mixing bowl and whisk – OR – dressing shaker – OR – a lidded jar
How To Make Creamy Garlic Dressing
Since this homemade dressing is made from pantry staples and ground spices, it doesn’t need a blender to break up the pieces and achieve a creamy texture. It only needs to be mixed thoroughly. Here are instructions for making it in a bowl or in a lidded jar
To make in a bowl
- Measure ingredients into a into a medium size mixing bowl.
- Whisk vigorously for 1 – 2 minutes.
To make in a jar or shaker
- Measure ingredients into a dressing shaker, pint-sized canning jar, or jar with a tight-fitting lid. (Leftover sauce or dressing bottles work great!)
- Secure the lid then cover with a kitchen towel (just in case) and shake for 1-2 minutes.
- Scrape down the sides and reshake to make sure everything is incorporated.
Homemade vs Store-Bought Salad Dressings
Homemade salad dressings might not always be easier, but they always win in the flavor category. And, when you take a dressing like this creamy garlic dressing, it’s packed with flavor, freshness, and just the right amount of spice; it’s pretty nearly perfect.
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, bump up the garlic if you’re a garlic lover, or add a Southwestern twist with chopped cilantro.
Plus, you don’t need any fancy kitchen tools to make this easy salad dressing recipe: you need a bowl, a few measuring spoons and cups, and a whisk. That’s it! Or, take the easy road and put all the ingredients into a jar with a tight-fitting lid and give it a good shake. Easy peasy!
Variations
Here are some of my favorite ways to change up this homemade dressing:
- Use Greek yogurt or sour cream in place of the mayonnaise.
- Use half sour cream and half mayonnaise for a tangier garlic salad dressing.
- Try fresh garlic cloves instead of dried. Smash them into a paste to keep the creamy texture of the dressing.
- Adjust the vinegar to make it more or less tangy.
- For a thinner dressing, add a touch more milk.
Serving Suggestions
This easy garlic dressing isn’t just good on salads – you can use it in so many other ways! Here are some of my favorites:
- Veggie tray dip – For a thicker dip, omit the milk. I love this with a variety of fresh veggies.
- Sandwich spread – Reduce milk to 1/4 cup if you’re using this as a sandwich spread.
- Marinade – This is a terrific marinade for grilling pork or chicken.
- Chicken nuggets – Jazz up your nugget game with this creamy garlic dipping sauce recipe! Just omit the milk for a thick and delicious chicken nugget dip.
- Drizzle or toss it with roasted veggies like broccoli, brussels sprouts, or cauliflower.
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.
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Creamy Garlic Dressing
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.
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Notes
Nutrition
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.
Ohh, I could pour lots of creamy garlic all over my salad. It sounds so good. I could imagine dipping veggies in there too.
Thanks Ginny! It’s great with any fresh veggies!