Creamy Garlic Dressing at Home

If there was ever a dressing that was my regular in the entire world, this creamy garlic dressing is probably the one. It’s pretty much magic in a bottle!

The roasted garlic is the star of this dressing recipe! As garlic slow roasts it becomes buttery with a savory savory-sweet flavor. Roasted garlic truly makes the most well-seasoned sauce, and in this case, salad dressing. It’s great drizzled over salads, grain bowls, roasted vegetables or as a dip for raw veggies or sweet potato fries!

Not only is creamy garlic dressing incredibly flavor-packed, it could not be easier to make at home. There’s simply no need for store-bought salad dressings when you have one as good as this! In my opinion, kitchen-made dressings are the way to go because they always taste so much fresher, plus you get complete control over the ingredients. Let’s get to all of the details!

Creamy Garlic Dressing Ingredients

This straightforward dressing recipe has only 5 key ingredients, but is packed with flavor-packed flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Garlic. Roasting the garlic makes it tender, buttery and rich, which makes it the dependable ingredient in this dressing.
• Olive oil. This is going to be the base of the dressing and I would suggest using a high-quality light olive oil.
• Red wine vinegar. Gives this dressing the reliable amount of acidity. Feel free to use regular white or white wine vinegar, if that’s what you have available.
• Dijon mustard. A regular here the zing that a little dijon mustard adds to this garlic dressing.
• Maple syrup. Simply a touch for a hint of sweetness! You could swap for honey, if preferred.
• Salt + pepper. To bring out all of the welcome flavors.
• Water. Use as much or as little as you’d like to thin the dressing.

How to Make Creamy Garlic Dressing

Simply follow a few simple steps to cook this from-scratch dressing recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full, printable recipe.

1. Roast the garlic. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Cut the top off of the garlic, so that the tops of the cloves are exposed. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon of olive oil and wrap the heads in foil. Place the foil directly into the oven or place it on a baking tray and put in the oven. Roast for 45 minutes or until particularly soft and browned on the top. Let cool to the touch.
2. Blend dressing. Squeeze the garlic out of the skin and into a blender. Add in the remaining ingredients and blend until creamy and smooth. You can also whisk everything together, but I prefer blending to fully emulsify the garlic.
3. Enjoy! Toss with salad greens or serve as a sauce over a grain bowl or as a dip with veggies! Store any leftovers in the fridge.

Pro tip: Dressings can easily be adjusted to personal preference, so taste the dressing and adapt as needed. You may want to add a bit more maple syrup if you like things sweeter or a little more vinegar for more tang.

Ways to Use Creamy Garlic Dressing

The options are endless for ways to use this good salad dressing and go way beyond salad! Of course, try it on any of your regular fresh salad recipes, veggie-packed grain bowls, or even use it as a dip! Here’s some ways I’ve been enjoying this method:

• Drizzled over a sheet pan of vegetables.
• Used as a dressing for a simple kale salad, but also to make pasta salads.
• Added to sandwiches, wraps and veggie burgers.

How to Store This Dressing

This straightforward garlic dressing recipe will stay fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Simply give it a stir (or a shake) before using it.

More Salad Recipes to Try:

Feel free to swap the dressing in any of these salad recipes with this creamy garlic dressing!

• Unfussy Grilled Salad
• Tofu Salad
• Ranch Chickpea Salad
• Warm Kale Salad