Creamy Poppyseed Dressing
Is it just me, or is poppyseed dressing the quintessential salad dressing of spring or summer? This is the dressing recipe that everyone asks for when I make summer salads (like my popular strawberry spinach salad!)
I’ve had so many variations over the years – both homemade and store-bought and I always come back to this recipe. Some of the classic recipes have a base of balsamic, but I’ve found this creamy variation with Greek yogurt to be so much more satisfying. Instead of adding multiple spoonfuls of white sugar that tastes overly sweet and gritty like in other recipes, we use maple syrup that adds subtle sweetness and depth. This recipe is easily adjustable to your flavor preferences, and I’ll give you specific tips on how to make it your own.
This is the best poppyseed dressing!
It’s light and refreshing.
It instantly brightens any salad.
It’s way better than any store-bought version!
While it’s currently 20°F as I write this, I’m dreaming of spring weather with sunshine, blooming flowers, and fruity salads drizzled with my favorite poppyseed dressing.
This dressing hits all the right notes – creamy, subtly sweet, a little tangy, and microbursts of poppyseeds in each bite. I found myself continuously licking the spoon as I trialed 5 different variations.
Once I learned how easy it was to make my own dressing at home, I stopped buying store-bought versions (which are already filled with unwanted high-fructose corn syrup and canola oil).
As if I can never get enough of poppyseeds – I’m obsessed with this Everything bagel hummus that also uses poppyseeds (along with other yummy spices).
Poppyseed Dressing Ingredients
- Greek yogurt – Depending on your dietary preference, you can use a dairy or dairy-free version. Make sure it is unsweetened and plain. Each Greek yogurt has a different level of bitterness, so you may need to adjust the sweetness to your preference. I used the Forager Greek Yogurt for my recipe.
- High-quality olive oil — A high-quality olive oil is best for a dressing like this because the flavor we are using is a larger quantity that will be flavor-forward. I like to use an organic extra-virgin olive oil.
- Poppyseeds — You can’t have a poppyseed dressing without ’em. You just need 1 tbsp for this recipe.
- Maple syrup — This is where you can make adjustments based on your preference.
- Apple cider vinegar – You could also swap for lemon juice for a similar flavor
- Dijon mustard — This adds the perfect tanginess to our dressing
- Garlic powder — For simplicity, we will use garlic powder rather than minced garlic in this recipe
- Fine salt
How to Make Poppyseed Dressing
It will take you just minutes to whip this up. I like to grab my large glass measuring cup or a mason jar.
Add all the ingredients and stir with a fork or whisk. This usually combines pretty quickly, but some Greek yogurts tend to clump a little, so you might need to stir for a bit longer. But it will all combine eventually!
I recommend everyone taste their dressing and adjust the flavors to their desired taste. Some like it a bit sweeter (like me) — I add in an extra tbsp of maple syrup. If you prefer a sourer taste, add an extra splash of vinegar.
Drizzle this creamy poppyseed dressing on your favorite salad right away, or store it in the fridge for later.
How to Store Creamy Poppyseed Dressing
Store this in a mason jar in the fridge for 10-14 days. Shake it right before pouring.
⭐️Looking for other delicious homemade dressings? My homemade tahini dressing is perfect for salads and Buddha bowls. For a fun Asian-inspired dressing, I love my sesame ginger dressing. And for a classic favorite, try out my vegan ranch dressing (no cashews needed!)
Common Questions
Yes, poppy seeds are a good source of essential nutrients, including fiber, protein, and healthy fats. They also contain minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which can support overall health.
Yes, you can use vegan Greek yogurt in this recipe, like Forager’s.
There are lots of options: apple, avocado, berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries), goat cheese, greens (arugula, spinach, spring greens, baby lettuces like baby gem), nuts and seeds (almonds, pistachios, sunflower seeds), and stone fruits (peaches, apricots, nectarines, plums, cherries).
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Creamy Poppyseed Dressing
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Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsweetened plain Greek Yogurt I used a dairy-free version from Forager* see below
- 1/4 cup high quality olive oil
- 2-3 tbsp maple syrup see notes*
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp poppyseeds
- 1/2 tbsp dijon mustard add more to taste
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp fine salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients together and mix until well-combined. Taste your dressing – you may want to add more sweetener or acidity based on your preference. I prefer my dressing slightly sweeter and will use 3 or 4 tbsp of maple syrup.
- This poppyseed dressing stores in the fridge for up to 10-14 days. Keep covered in a glass container. Shake before using.
Notes
- Based on your preference, you can use a dairy vs dairy-free option. I used a dairy-free Greek yogurt from Forager.
- Greek yogurt can have a varied degree of bitterness and flavor. Therefore, you should adjust some of the acidity or sweetness to your preference.
- For example, I prefer a slightly sweeter dressing so will add 3-4 tbsp of maple syrup.
