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    Easy Poppy Seed Dressing

    Homemade Staples Salads March 14, 2021 | By Kristen Chidsey | 12 Comments | *This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe
    Oil-free and naturally sweetened, this recipe for Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing is sweet, tangy, and will liven up your salads with flavor--guilt-free!

    This Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing is creamy, sweet yet 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!

    Creamy Poppy Seed Salad Dressing in small glass jar next to mixed greens.


    Poppy Seed Dressing is a creamy, tangy dressing loaded with poppy seeds for crunch and a bit of flavor. Typically this dressing is filled with sugar and mayonnaise, and while delicious, it is pretty heavy and high in fat and sugars.

    My version of Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing is made with yogurt in place of mayonnaise and sweetened with honey instead of granulated sugar. It is significantly lightened up, yet all the delicious, classic flavors remain.

    Notes on Ingredients

    Ingredients for Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing labeled on counter.
    • Greek Yogurt: To give this dressing its creamy base, use plain Greek yogurt. Use any fat percentage you like. 
    • Honey: You only need a small amount to sweeten the dressing and balance out the acidity and tanginess of the dressing. Feel free to replace the honey with maple syrup if desired.  
    • 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: Use Dijon, whole grain, or brown mustard, NOT yellow mustard. The flavor is not comparable.  
    • Vinegar: Champagne vinegar is my first choice for this dressing, as it is mild and slightly sweet. You can use apple cider or white wine vinegar in place of the champagne vinegar if desired.
    • Poppy Seeds: Poppy seeds add a nice texture to the dressing.

    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 and adjust seasonings if needed.
    Side by side bowl before and after mixing together poppyseed dressing.
    • Transfer the dressing to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before using. This allows the flavors time to marry together.
    • Store the dressing in the refrigerator for up 10 days, whisking or shaking prior to use.
    Jar of Poppy Seed Dressing next to bushel of strawberries

    Serving Suggestions

    Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing pairs beautifully with side salads, chicken salads, and even fruit salads. Below are a few of my favorite ways to use this simple, wholesome salad dressing.

    • Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing is the perfect choice for Strawberry Spinach Salad. And it is delicious paired with Roasted Butternut Squash Salad or Caribbean Chicken Salad.
    • I love using this Poppy Seed Dressing to dress a fresh fruit salad for a creamy, tangy, delightful punch of flavor. 
    • For a creamy, yet still, mayo-free version of Broccoli Salad, replace the citrus dressing with this poppy seed dressing.  
    • Toss with shredded chicken and wrap up with some spinach in a tortilla for a quick, flavorful wrap for lunch. 
    Poppyseed dressing being poured onto a strawberry spinach salad.

    More Salad Dressing Recipes

    • Homemade Raspberry Dressing
    • Homemade Ranch Dressing
    • Balsamic Vinaigrette
    • Caesar Salad Dressing

    If you tried this healthier version of Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below. 

    Jar of Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

    Poppy Seed Dressing

    This Easy Poppy Seed Dressing is sweet and slightly tangy and makes a perfect compliment to so many salads!
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Condiment
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 23kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • â…“ 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
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 23kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Sodium: 125mg | Potassium: 15mg | Sugar: 3g | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 0.1mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!

    This recipe for poppy seed salad dressing was originally published in 2019 and updated in 2022.

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    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

    Reader Interactions

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    1. Jen Dart

      April 28, 2022 at 4:08 am

      5 stars
      I will always keep this in my refrigerator at all times! Even my picky 15 year old loved it!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        April 28, 2022 at 6:58 am

        Thanks for sharing Jen! I love hearing you all enjoy--picky eater included 🙂

        Reply
    2. Erin

      April 25, 2022 at 1:30 pm

      5 stars
      I love that this recipe uses plain Greek yogurt. I always have that on hand, so this recipe was easy to whip together and tasted GREAT!

      Reply
    3. Jessica

      April 21, 2022 at 2:23 pm

      5 stars
      This dressing turned out absolutely delicious on the salad we made for our dinner guests! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        April 26, 2022 at 6:46 am

        Thanks for sharing Jessica! I am happy to hear you all enjoyed!

        Reply
    4. April

      March 15, 2021 at 3:18 pm

      5 stars
      This was great! I used it in my chicken wrap for lunch and it was perfect.

      Reply
    5. Katie

      March 15, 2021 at 2:22 pm

      5 stars
      Was so good! Can't wait to use on kale salad.

      Reply
    6. Allyson Zea

      March 15, 2021 at 2:21 pm

      5 stars
      This is one of my absolute favorite creamy dressings! I love the poppyseed flavor!

      Reply
    7. Liz

      March 20, 2019 at 12:57 pm

      5 stars
      I love poppyseed dressing, especially as the weather is warming up and I'm craving lighter salads. So delicious!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        March 20, 2019 at 2:58 pm

        It really does brighten up salads.

        Reply
    8. Renee Goerger

      March 20, 2019 at 12:55 pm

      5 stars
      I love making my own salad dressing. This is one of my favorites!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        March 20, 2019 at 2:58 pm

        YAY! So glad you enjoy!

        Reply

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    Oil-free and naturally sweetened, this recipe for Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing is sweet, tangy, and will liven up your salads with flavor--guilt-free!

    Meet a Mind "Full" Mom

    A Picture of A Mind"Full"Mom

    Hi! I'm Kristen. I want to welcome you into my kitchen and my REAL, imperfect life. Let me share with you tips and tricks to help you make healthy eating a reality for your family in the chaos of life and on the constraints of a budget. Read more

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    Oil-free and naturally sweetened, this recipe for Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing is sweet, tangy, and will liven up your salads with flavor--guilt-free!

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