Sweet and tangy, this Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing is easy to make and so versatile! Drizzle it over salads, berries, fruit salads, and even fish or chicken for a satisfying flavor boost.
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The Economy of Homemade Salad Dressing
Awhile back, I almost bought a bottle of poppy seed salad dressing. I mean, I was already at the store and feeling lazy, so I thought, why not? Well, I'll tell you why not...
Have you read the labels lately!? Way too many weird ingredients and preservatives in those shelf-stable salad dressings!
Don't even get me started on the sticker shock! The average bottle of poppy seed salad dressing at my local Winco costs between three and four dollars. For a 12-ounce bottle of budget dressing! A cup and a half.
And the good stuff? That's even more! A bottle of Brianna's Poppy Seed Dressing (admittedly delicious) sells for up to $9.70 on Amazon!!!! That's 80-cents an ounce: the same price as mid-range, high quality cheese. O.M.G. (And I can tell you, if I have to choose between a bottle of salad dressing and a 12 ounces of good cheese, the cheese will win, every time!)
In just five minutes, you can make a cup and a half of the same salad dressing at home for 60 cents. That's just 5 cents an ounce. Crazy.
Mr B and I make almost all of our own dressings, and let me tell you; not only does it save us money, but we feel so much better about the foods we are eating! Most homemade dressings, like this poppy seed dressing, take only than 10 minutes to make.
What Goes into this Recipe
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
★ Poppy seeds: It's important to buy properly processed, poppy seeds. Always buy seeds from well-known brands or grocery stores, and avoid sketchy online vendors.
★ Mayonnaise: You can use store-bought or homemade mayo: just make sure it’s full-fat.
Do not use Miracle Whip. We are a Miracle Whip family, so I say this with both understanding and appreciation; MW is not mayonnaise. Do not ever, ever sub it into this or any other non-sandwich-filling recipe calling for mayo.
★ Vinegar: We like to use cider vinegar for this recipe. Another great option is to use a flavored or fruit-infused vinegar (i.e., raspberry vinegar, etc.). You can use plain white vinegar; however, the resulting dressing will be a bit more astringent.
★ Onion: Use a sweet onion or red onion. (Red onion will make your dressing pink!)
Grated onion is one of your grandma's secret ingredients. Be sure to use both the onion and the onion juices.
★ Mustard: Use plain dry mustard. You can sub in Dijon mustard, or any other kind of mustard if you'd like.
★ Salt: We use kosher salt.
★ Milk: Optional; use only if you feel the need to thin the dressing down.
★ Xanthan gum: This is a natural thickener that helps bind and stabilize the dressing. It can be found the bulk food area of many stores. Using it is totally optional to this recipe.
How to Make this Recipe
Blender Prep: Add all the ingredients except the poppy seeds to a medium bowl or canning jar. Use an immersion blender to blend all the ingredients together until smooth. Stir in the poppy seeds until well combined.
Manual Prep: In a medium bowl, whisk all ingredients except milk together until smooth.
- For thinner dressing: Add a little milk when you blend ingredients.
- For thicker dressing: Blend ⅛ teaspoon xanthan gum into the mixture.
- It is important to thoroughly blend the xanthan gum into the mixture; don't just stir it in with a spoon.
- Xanthan gum does not work immediately; the dressing will set up in the fridge after in 30 minutes to an hour.
Taste and adjust seasonings to taste. Transfer dressing to a clean jar with a lid.
Refrigerate at least 30 minutes to allow the dressing to set up. Shake well before using.
More Salad Dressing Recipes
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Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing
Equipment
- 1 Jar & lid
- 1 Immersion Blender optional
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar Up to ⅓ cup for fruit salad
- 2 tablespoons grated sweet onion
- 1 tablespoon black poppy seeds
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2-3 tablespoons milk optional; for thinning
- ⅛ teaspoon xanthan gum optional; for thickening
Instructions
- Blender Prep: Add all the ingredients except the poppy seeds to a medium bowl or canning jar. Use an immersion blender to blend all the ingredients together until smooth. Stir in the poppy seeds until well combined. (Do not blitz the dressing once the seeds are added.)Manual Prep: In a medium bowl, whisk all ingredients except milk together until smooth.For thinner dressing: Add a little milk when you blend ingredients.For thicker dressing: Blend ⅛ teaspoon xanthan gum into the mixture.It is important to thoroughly blend the xanthan gum into the mixture; don't just stir it in with a spoon. Xanthan gum does not work immediately; the dressing will set up in the fridge after in 30 minutes to an hour.
- Taste and adjust seasonings to taste. Transfer dressing to a clean jar with a lid.
- Refrigerate at least 30 minutes to allow the dressing to set up. Shake well before using.
Nutrition
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details.
Originally published January 17, 2014. This post has been updated with new content, images, and recipe instructions to improve reader experience.
Marcia says
I'm looking forward to making your dressing, but I don't care for miracle whip. Do you have a substitution suggestion?
Renée says
Good question! You can sub in mayonnaise. If you do, add 1-2 extra teaspoons of white sugar.
Check back in a few months: this recipe is on my list for updating.
Sarah says
I found your poppy seed dressing recipe and am going to try it.
Question: Do you use dry mustard powder or prepared mustard (like Dijon mustard)?
Renée ♥ says
Good question, Sarah. I usually use a plain old yellow mustard, but I've also used mustard powder and it turned out fine. I'm sure Dijon would work as well.
Cheryl says
Is 10 calories per serving correct?
Renée ♥ says
Thanks for the catch, Cheryl. The program I used when this was first published calculated the calories incorrectly, and I didn't notice the error. It actually has 53 calories for a 2 tablespoon serving. The recipe has been corrected.
Kara says
Is there really no oil in this recipe? Wondering how it gets any body otherwise. Turned out super watery.
Renée ♥ says
Yes, Kara. There is no oil in this recipe. The yogurt and miracle whip give it plenty of body when I make it. Is it possibly you used all non-fat ingredients? I've never done that, so I can't speak for the results there. I always use light Miracle Whip and low-fat yogurt.
Renée ♥ says
Also, like chia seeds, poppy seeds need a little time to absorb moisture to create the thickening power they bring to the party. Did you give the dressing some time?
Susan@LunaCafe says
Thanks for reminding me about this wonderful dressing. We're on a salad kick here too, and interesting, varied dressings are key. I'm making this today. 🙂
Renée ♥ says
I hope you enjoy it! I'll be posting more salad dressing recipes in the upcoming weeks, so be sure to check back in. 🙂
Pech says
I'm with you... I'd rather spend my money on cheese than salad dressing! Also, it means I can make less dressing, so I can feel free to keep changing out the dressing instead of being committed to a bottle.