This Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing is creamy, sweet, slightly tangy, and incredibly easy to make. It is naturally sweetened and oil-free, making it a healthy homemade dressing that will liven up your salads without any guilt!
Use this Poppy Seed Dressing to top a simple mixed green salad or to dress Strawberry Spinach Salad, Roasted Butternut Squash Salad, Winter Salad, or Caribbean Chicken Salad.
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A Healthier Version
A friend of mine makes the best Poppy Seed Dressing. It is super creamy, sweet, tangy, and full of flavor. But it is also full of sugar and mayo.
I have lightened it up and kept all the delicious flavors in this version of the Healthy Poppy Seed Dressing recipe. And for the record, my friend now only makes MY version!
It is a simple salad dressing that comes together quickly and pairs beautifully with spring and summer salads. It is balanced with sweet and tangy flavors and a few savory notes. It also happens to be an oil-free salad dressing.
Key Ingredients
- Greek Yogurt: The mayonnaise is replaced with plain Greek yogurt. Use any fat percentage you like.
- Honey: Just a bit to sweeten the dressing. If you do not prefer honey, use granulated sugar but dissolve the sugar into the vinegar before whisking it into the yogurt to prevent the dressing from getting grainy.
- Shallot: The secret to the BEST poppy seed dressing is a little bit of grated shallot. The mild onion flavor of the shallot helps to balance out the sweetness of the dressing.
- Mustard: The mustard will give the dressing tang and help emulsify it together.
- Vinegar: Use apple cider vinegar, champagne vinegar, or white wine vinegar
- Poppy Seeds: Poppy seeds add a nice texture to the dressing. Use any leftover poppyseeds for Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins or Chicken Poppy Seed Casserole.
How to Prepare Poppy Seed Dressing
- Whisk together the vinegar, honey, Greek yogurt, mustard, poppy seeds, grated shallot, and salt together.
- Using a Microplane, grate 1 teaspoon of shallot into the dressing.
- Taste to adjust salt.
Storage
Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing will last in the fridge in a sealed container for about 10 days. You will want to give the dressing a good shake before using on salads before each use.
How to Use Poppy Seed Dressing
- Use to dress a fruit salad for a creamy, tangy delightful punch of flavor.
- Replace the citrus dressing on a Broccoli Salad with this poppy seed dressing, for a creamy version.
- It is the perfect dressing for a classic Strawberry Spinach Salad.
- Top mixed greens with this dressing for a simple side dish.
- Toss with shredded chicken and wrap up with some spinach in a tortilla for a quick, flavorful wrap for lunch.
More Salad Dressing Recipes
If you tried this healthier version of Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing, I would love for you to leave a comment below.
Recipe
Poppy Seed Dressing
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup plain Greek Yogurt
- 1 teaspoon whole grain mustard
- ¼ cup champagne vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon shallot grated
Instructions
- Whisk together Greek yogurt, mustard, vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, and salt.
- Grate in shallot using a microplane and then whisk to incorporate.
- Store in the fridge for up to 10 days.
Notes
- Feel free to use mayonnaise in place of Greek yogurt.
- White wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar can be used in place of champagne vinegar.
- In place of the shallot, feel free to use ½ teaspoon onion powder. It will not be the same, but it works to add depth to the salad dressing.
- If you do not prefer honey, use granulated sugar but dissolve the sugar into the vinegar before whisking into the yogurt to prevent the dressing from getting grainy.
- Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing will last in the fridge in a sealed container for about 10 days.
April
This was great! I used it in my chicken wrap for lunch and it was perfect.
Katie
Was so good! Can't wait to use on kale salad.
Allyson Zea
This is one of my absolute favorite creamy dressings! I love the poppyseed flavor!
Liz
I love poppyseed dressing, especially as the weather is warming up and I'm craving lighter salads. So delicious!
Kristen Chidsey
It really does brighten up salads.
Renee Goerger
I love making my own salad dressing. This is one of my favorites!
Kristen Chidsey
YAY! So glad you enjoy!