Salad dressings are the ultimate top offs to any great salad. However, it’s hard to ignore the additives and extra sugars that some brands include, in what should be a simple set of ingredients.

So instead of searching, reading labels, and  settling on a salad dressing that doesn’t fit your taste, we’ve boiled down the key ingredients to help you make the perfect salad dressing at home on a budget.

Always think about the 3 major components

Salad Dressing

Gif by Shawn You

1. Pour 3/4 – 1 cup of olive oil in a mason jar or container

Salad Dressing

Gif by Shawn You

2. Add 1/4 cup of your preferred acid (Lemon juice or vinegar)

Salad Dressing

Gif by Shawn You

3. Add 1/4 tsp of salt and/or ground pepper

Salad Dressing

Gif by Shawn You

4. Top it off with your preferred seasoning

Salad Dressing

Gif by Shawn You

If you are going for sweet use shallots or honey and if you are looking for more tang use mustard

5. Balance your dressing

Salad Dressing

Gif by Shawn You

Flavor too mellow – add more acid

Salad Dressing

Gif by Shawn You

Flavor too acidic? Add more oil.