Recipe Redux: DIY Kitchen Essentials
What favorite kitchen staples do you now make from scratch – but in the past you purchased? Show us your best DIY recipe for keeping cupboards, fridge or freezer stocked with healthy basics. Think homemade frozen waffles, salad dressing, broth or other kitchen essentials.
There are a few things in the kitchen that homemade is a must and a few that are a preference. Preferences and often on hand are protein bars, granola, hummus and muesli.
A must is salad dressing. I can’t remember the last time I bought salad dressing. A few extra minutes to add dressings to my Sunday meal prep list and I’m set for quick and easy meals during the week.
3 recipes almost always on hand for a delicious salad or bowl, Shallot Dijon Vinaigrette, Spicy Peanut Dressing, and Creamy Avocado Dressing. Depending on the menu for the week I sometimes cut the recipe(s) in half.
Shallot Dijon Vinaigrette
6 Servings
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 shallot
Combine the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
Spicy Peanut Dressing
4 Servings
5 tablespoons organic peanut butter
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon reduced sodium tamari
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon minced garlic
dash of sriracha sauce (or to taste)
Combine the ingredients in a bowl and whisk until blended.
Creamy Avocado Dressing
8 Servings
3/4 cup ripe avocado
1/4 cup vegetable broth
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Combine the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
What’s a DIY essential in your kitchen? Do you make homemade salad dressings? What are your homemade favorites?
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I never buy salad dressings they are loaded with so much garbage! It’s so easy and cheaper to make your own!! These are great recipes!!!
Same here Lauren. After I started making my own the store bought tasted artificial and chemically. Can’t go back to store bought after making your own 🙂
I use shallot and avocado dressings as my go-tos ALL the time. I also regularly make just a simple lemon vinaigrette with olive oil and lemon juice and a little salt and pepper. So easy and perfect when the weather is warm!
Hi Lora, the EVOO and lemon juice is always a good in a pinch go to. Have an fantastic day!
OH YES. I can’t remember the last time I bought bottled salad dressing – once you make it yourself, you just can’t go back 🙂 I’m pinning this because I always get in salad dressing ruts and all 3 of these sound great!
Thanks for sharing the recipes Deanna 🙂
Those recipes look so fresh — and reFRESHing! I can’t wait to try them.
As of late, I make homemade NOTHING. As summer approaches, I get more creative and want to make things at home.
Hi Tiffany. Once you start making your own dressings you won’t want store bought. Have a fabulous day!
Mmm these sound delicious!!
They are if I do say so myself 😉
I love making homemade salad dressings! They’re so easy and so much tastier than store bought. All these recipes look great Jill!
Thanks Holly. It’s amazing how bad store bought dressings taste after you start making your own. Have a fantastic day friend!
I love these! I really have gotten into doing my own salad dressing lately! Looking forward to adding these to my repertoire.
Hi Julie, once you start making your own dressings it’s hard to go back to store bought. Have a fabulous day! xoxo
I LOVE homemade salad dressings!! So delicious!
Me too! Blended with my favorite ingredients 🙂
These all sound good. I have plans to make homemade dressing these seem really simple to make.
They’re super simple to blend up Ivanna. Once you start making your own dressings it’s hard to go back to store bought. Have a fabulous day!
These look good! I want to first try the avocado one. Now how long do they last in the frig? Just the week?
I only make enough for the week but generally if the dressing is dairy based 1 week otherwise 2 weeks in the fridge. The avo dressing is my favorite right now!
I’ve never really tried making salad dressings at home because I usually just skip it altogether but these look pretty quick and simple! Sometimes it’s good to have a little extra flavor in there 🙂
I use very little dressing Erin and often not at all depending on the type of salad. Have a fantastic day! xoxo
Yum! I’m going to try your spicy peanut one. I’ve tried a few versions with more ingredients but this looks easy!
Keeping it simple is key to making your own regularly. Have an fantastic day Bri!
Ooh, the creamy avocado dressing sounds so yummy! Thanks for sharing! <3
It is if I do say so myself 😉
That Creamy Avocado dressing sounds delicious! Pinning for later!
Thanks for pinning Kathyrn! Have a fantastic day 🙂
TOTALLY trying the creamy avocado dressing. Sounds delicious!!
Sarah, have you try the avo dressing yet? Delicious isn’t it 🙂
I LOVE making my own salad dressings, but never make enough to have on hand for future use!! Such a great idea so I’m not whipping up a different dressing every day.
Hi Tara, during the week making dressing probably won’t happen so small batch dressings was the only way to have dressing that isn’t store bought throughout the week. It’s so worth the extra few minutes of prep. Have a fabulous day 🙂
These are some great dressing recipes! I’m really loving the Spicy Peanut Butter one- I think I will be trying that very soon!
Hi AJ and thank you! Have you had a chance to try the peanut dressing yet? Delicious isn’t it 🙂
I definitely am going to try the creamy avacado…I’ve been looking for a recipe like that. Need to start making my own dressing!
Hi Michelle, once you start making your own you’re not going to want store bought. Enjoy!
Oh you are so smart to make the dressing earlier in the week. Most mornings im scrambling to make my salad and dressing before work. Love the variety in these! Definitely making that avocado dressing asap!
That’s exactly why I started making small batch dressings. That morning time crunch. Have a fabulous day friend! xoxo
yum!! I make a similar creamy avocado dressing – so delicious!
Nicole, you can’t go wrong with avo!
making your own dressing really is the best option. I love everything avocado too. Great recipe.
You can’t go wrong with avo! Thanks 🙂
I make a really good vinaigrette with wheat beer as in ingredient. It is sooo good. I need to start making more of my own salad dressings…
I’ve used wine in vinaigrette but never beer. I’m intrigued enough to try 🙂
I can’t even remember the last time I purchased salad dressings from the store. Homemade salad dressings are so much healthier and tastier. I really like the shallot dijon and creamy avocado recipes!
Thanks Laura. Once you start making your own you can’t go back 🙂 Have a fantastic day!
The avocado dressing sounds amazing, I will be trying that one!
I love all things avo so that one is a particular favorite. Thanks Stephanie 🙂
Those all sound delicious.
I do sometimes make dressings, but I seem to be the only one to eat them, so I don’t always go to the effort. It’s so easy and I need to get in the habit of doing it more.
Thanks Jenn. I’m the only one that uses the homemade dressings. Making small batches each week works for one. Once you start making your own you can’t go back 🙂
I try to avoid store-bought dressings after realizing how EASY and better it is to make them at home. These are great – saving for future reference!
Hi Jess. Small batch dressings is an easy kitchen hack that is totally worth a little bit of prep time 🙂
I really want to start making my own salad dressings instead of buying them. That avocado recipe sounds delicious! I would love that on top of a salad!
Brie, I love all things avo so the avo dressing is a particular favorite. Have a fabulous day! xoxo
I love homemade salad dressings but always default to my usual, cannot wait to try out the peanut one! Perfect for summer!
These sound great! Especially the Shallot Dijon Vinaigrette 🙂 Will have to try it soon!
Hi Karli, the shallot adds goodness to an otherwise basic vinaigrette. Enjoy!
I really need to make dressings with avocados!! Mmmm extra thick and creamy- LOVE!
Ooooo, I LOVE homemade dressings and these all look fabulous! I want to try that avocado one!
Melanie, I love all things avo so the avo dressing is a particular favorite. Have a fabulous day! xoxo
Spicy peanut sauce is my fave! Time to pull that out again 🙂
I like to add a little extra kick to my peanut sauce. Have a fabulous day Deborah 🙂
I feel like I’m more of a creamy avocado girl. It sounds heavenly!
Me to Carmy! I love all things avo so that dressing is a particular favorite 🙂
I don’t eat salads very often so I don’t have homemade dressings on hand or the store bought stuff. But if I’ having a salad, i’ll either just sprinkle with vinegar, or whip one up. These sound super yummy though!
I probably eat more salads than your average person especially this time of year. You can’t go wrong with easy to make and delicious 🙂
I make my own ranch dressing a lot. I love to dip pretty much everything in it, so I like making my own so I can always make sure I have it on hand.
I love making my own salad dressings! We have a huge collection of infused oils/balsamic vinegars which make the best bases for fun dressings!
The shallot vinaigrette sounds lovely! I love shallots for their sweet, less pungent flavor from the onion. Super simple recipe!
I must try the creamy avocado dressing, I love avocados and have been trying to eat more salads at lunch.
Okay I love these. I’m always on the hunt for new dressings to make my salads a bit more interesting. I try to stick to healthy ingredients, so these are perfect for me. Thanks for sharing 🙂
You always have the BEST recipes. Thanks for sharing the avocado one. I’ll have to try making it for next weekend’s backyard BBQ. Everyone loves avocados in our family!
I have been craving salads during my pregnancy so these sound like some great options for me to try out!
I literally want all of these salad dressings ( well not all at the same time) . The shallot dressing would be good with a crisp leafy salad and the peanut one in a stir fry!
I agree wholeheartedly that store bought dressing are a NONO! Your spicy peanut sounds so godlike, peanuts and shiracha oh my!!…. I can’t wait to make it this weekend
I would love to try the creamy avocado dressing. It sounds delightful.
I love making my own home made dressings! They are so delicious and so much better for you!
I’m very interested in the Spicy Peanut dressing. I used to go to the one restaurant back when I lived in Houston and on the salad they hade a peanut dressing and I just loved it!!!!
I have to try the creamy avocado dressing, sounds delightful. Thanks for the easy tips and recipes 🙂
I can’t wait to try all three of these dressings. I recently tried an avocado dressing from Thrive Market and absolutely adored it. I think making dressing at home is so much fun, plus they always taste healthier than store bought.
I love coming up with my own homemade dressings. They are so much more delicious when you put the work into them.
I always make my own salad dressings – so much better than store bought! Right now I am making one with almond milk/walnuts/chia/a big bunch of parsley/garlic and herbamare – it is delicious!
I love the idea of being able to make my own dressing at home. I’ve noticed that a lot of the dressings that are available in the supermarket have a lot of sugar which is what I’m trying to cut out.
Totally pinned this! I love salad dressing recipes to use in my weekly meal prep. Bottled dressing is gross!
I’ll definitely have to try the Spicy Peanut Dressing sometime soon. The Creamy Avocado Dressing sounds really good, too!
I’ve just started being real serious about healthy eating so I can’t wait to try these! They look delicious!
The avocado dressing sounds divine! I will have to give it a go in the next week, since I love salads but I’m kind of tired of my poppy seed dressing. Thank you for sharing this!