Quick Creamy balsamic dressing made with Greek yogurt takes just 5 minutes to make using 6 healthy, everyday ingredients! Simply combine plain, low-fat Greek yogurt, sweet balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, honey, fresh garlic, and creamy Dijon mustard in a small bowl (or mason jar) and then whisk together (no blender needed!). Enjoy drizzled over your favorite salad greens or as a versatile dip!
Homemade salad dressing is an easy way to add lots of flavor to your favorite salads and is also perfect for dipping vegetables, grilled chicken, or crispy baked tofu! This creamy balsamic dressing gets an extra boost of protein from Greek yogurt (which also works well for blue cheese and ranch dressing as well!) and is quick and easy to make using everyday ingredients right from your pantry (no complicated or hard-to-find ingredients around here!).
What is Creamy Balsamic Dressing?
Creamy balsamic dressing is a thick, rich version of traditional balsamic vinaigrette.
To make it extra creamy, I add plain low-fat Greek yogurt (non-fat and full-fat yogurt would also work, but I prefer the low-fat as it’s a bit lighter than the full-fat but is still super creamy). This addition makes for a thicker dressing which is delicious on salads and also perfect as a dip (hello, veggie crudites!).
All you need is 6 simple ingredients and a small bowl (or jar) to make this recipe. Then sit back and get ready to enjoy your new favorite healthy dressing/dip!
Ingredients & Substitutions:
- Balsamic vinegar: Look for good quality balsamic vinegar. According to Spruce Eats, Balsamic made with grapes exclusively from the Modena and Reggio Emilia regions of Italy is the gold standard (and also the priciest!).
- Honey: To balance the acidity of the vinegar and round out the flavor of the dressing. You can also sub in maple syrup or a bit of coconut sugar if preferred.
- Greek yogurt: Creates a rich and creamy dressing without the need for sour cream or mayonnaise. I like to use plain, low-fat Greek yogurt but non-fat and full-fat varieties would also work well.
- Dijon mustard: Adds a zesty, tangy kick. Use smooth Dijon, not grainy. If you don’t have Dijon, replace it with mustard powder and a dash of white wine vinegar.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic really elevates this dressing by giving it a pop of flavor. If needed, you can substitute 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder in its place.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Use high-quality extra-virgin olive oil for the best flavor. You can also substitute a neutral oil, like avocado oil.
- Salt & pepper: Season the dressing with sea salt and black pepper. Start with 1/4 teaspoon of each and then add more as desired.
Health Tip: This creamy balsamic dressing made with Greek yogurt is a healthier alternative to traditional creamy dressings as it provides protein and probiotics from Greek yogurt while still offering a tangy and creamy flavor.
For a complete ingredient list and step-by-step guide, scroll down to the recipe card below.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Add the balsamic vinegar, honey, greek yogurt, extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, crushed garlic, salt, and pepper to a small bowl or jar.
- Vigorously whisk the ingredients together, using a fork or small whisk. You may notice some tiny white dots, but that is totally normal and a small price to pay for not having to pull out the blender. 🙂
- Taste and tweak the flavors. Extra balsamic vinegar will add more pop, honey will round out the tang, or garlic for even more flavor. If you like a thinner consistency, you can add a splash of water as well.
- Serve the dressing immediately or transfer it to an airtight container and chill in the fridge until you are ready to enjoy it.
Storage Tips: Keep the dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. When you’re ready to serve it, shake the container vigorously to mix the oil back into the dressing.
FAQ’s – Helpful Tips
How long does it last?
Creamy Balsamic Dressing will happily last for up to 5 days when stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge.
Can I make this Creamy Balsamic Dressing with no oil?
The short answer is yes, you can skip the oil if you prefer, but the oil really does help to round out the flavor and texture of this recipe. I don’t love to use excessive amounts of oil in my dressings and dips (so I get why you wouldn’t want to either), but I find just one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil really helps this dressing shine.
Can I make this in my blender?
If you don’t mind the extra step, absolutely! Blending this dressing in the blender will result in a super rich and creamy dressing. The only reason I choose not to use the blender is because I’m always trying to minimize extra steps (and extra dishes!) in the kitchen. However, mixing by hand (which I do) can result in tiny white dots in the dressing as the yogurt can be hard to blend in. So if you feel inclined and don’t mind the extra dishes, blending the dresser would work well.
More Clean & Delicious Salad Dressing Recipes:
If you make this Creamy Balsamic Dressing with Greek Yogurt, let me know how it turned out! Please share your ★ rating and your feedback in the comments below. Thank you! 😍
Creamy Balsamic Dressing with Greek Yogurt
This quick creamy balsamic dressing made with Greek yogurt takes just 5 minutes to make using 6 healthy, everyday ingredients! Simply combine plain, low-fat Greek yogurt, sweet balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, honey, fresh garlic, and creamy Dijon mustard in a small bowl (or mason jar) and then whisk together (no blender needed!). Enjoy drizzled over your favorite salad greens or as a versatile dip!
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 34kcal
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup plain, low-fat Greek yogurt (
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tasblespoon honey (or maple syrup)
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- salt and pepper to taste
Notes
- Swap the yogurt for non-fat or full-fat if preferred! All types of plain Greek yogurt will work.
- Adjust seasonings as you go. You can add extra vinegar for more pop, honey for more roundness, or extra garlic for more zest. Make it work for you.
- Chill the dressing before serving if you like your dressing extra thick! It also makes a great dip.
- Double it up so you have extra for the week. It will happily last in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- For a smoother consistency, you can blend the dressing in a blender or use an immersion blender until smooth.
- Nutritional information is a rough estimate and should not be taken as health advice.
Nutrition
Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 34kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 11mg | Fiber: 0.02g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 8IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 0.1mg
