How to Create Poppy Seed Dressing at Home

**Celebrate Poppy Seed Dressing!**

Poppy seed dressing is a subtly creamy, tangy dressing that pairs beautifully with delicate greens and fresh fruits. The poppy seeds contribute a subtle crunch and nutty taste that elevate your salads.

**This Recipe is Simple to Prepare with Premium Ingredients**

This dressing far surpasses commercially available options. It includes poppy seeds, fresh lemon juice, and zest. It’s sweetened naturally with honey, providing more depth than regular sugar. Dijon mustard and a clove of garlic add an intriguing twist, while mayonnaise or Greek yogurt makes it gently creamy (your choice—mayonnaise gives a richer mouthfeel, while yogurt adds a delightful acidity).

Some poppy seed dressing variations can be overly sweet or rich, but this one strikes the perfect balance. Below, you’ll find the recipe along with complementary flavors to create a fantastic salad.

**How to Use Poppy Seed Dressing**

Poppy seed dressing is a subtly creamy, vibrant yet harmonious dressing. It pairs excellently with tender baby greens, fresh fruit, a sprinkle of toasted nuts, and creamy goat cheese or ripe avocado. It particularly enhances spring and summer fruits, such as berries and stone fruits.

I created the salad featured here using baby arugula, strawberries, diced avocado, thinly sliced radish, and toasted sunflower seeds.

**Here’s a Collection of Ingredients That Pair Well with Poppy Seed Dressing**

– Apple
– Avocado
– Berries: Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries
– Goat cheese
– Greens: Arugula, spinach, spring greens, baby lettuces like baby gem
– Nuts and seeds: Almonds, pistachios, sunflower seeds
– Radish
– Stone fruit: Peaches, apricots, nectarines, plums, cherries

**Additional Salad Dressings to Explore**

Once you start crafting your own salad dressings, you’ll find it hard to revert to store-bought options. These dressings are equally light and refreshing, with bright citrus notes.

**Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe**

This poppy seed dressing recipe delivers a zesty and lemony poppy seed taste. It’s lightly creamy, perfectly balanced, and straightforward to make with common ingredients. Recipe yields 1 cup dressing.

**Instructions**

1. In a liquid measuring container, mix all of the ingredients as listed. Whisk until the mixture is thoroughly blended and creamy.
2. Sample, and if it’s too sour for your preference, whisk in an additional 1 to 2 tablespoons of oil. Use as desired. Any leftover dressing can be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 10 days. The olive oil may solidify in the refrigerator, which is normal. Allow the dressing to come to room temperature for 5 minutes or microwave it for about 10 seconds before use.

**Notes**

– **Alter it:** You could create lime or orange-flavored poppy seed dressing by adjusting the citrus zest and juice accordingly.
– **Make it dairy-free:** Opt for mayonnaise instead of yogurt.
– **Make it egg-free:** Use yogurt rather than mayonnaise.
– **Make it vegan:** Substitute with vegan mayonnaise and maple syrup.

Please share how your poppy seed dressing turns out in the comments! I’d love to hear about the salads you create with it.