Creamy Tomato Salad Dressing is one of the most popular recipes on this blog! You have to give it up for a homemade dressing that is made with vegetables to go on top of vegetables. Double the VEGGIES!
This is a is a homemade salad dressing that can also be used on grilled vegetables or as a dipping sauce. It is a delicious blend of fresh tomatoes, zesty lemon juice, and Dijon mustard- a winning combo.
It is cool and creamy, making it great for summer salads. If time is short, make it ahead of time and store it in airtight containers. Preparation is an absolute snap!
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Tomato Salad Dressing
There are endless reasons to love this homemade dressing, but here are just a few:
- No oil – This salad dressing recipe doesn’t use oil. Instead, it uses mayonnaise to give a rich and creamy texture.
- Switch it up easily – Making it homemade gives you so much flexibility with flavors and are never the same twice, so you never get bored. Feel like adding some fresh herbs? Go right ahead!
- Use it on more than salads – It tastes great on roasted or grilled vegetables, chicken and seafood, or as a dipping sauce for your veggie tray.
Creamy Salad Dressing
There are so many benefits to not resorting to store bought dressing when it comes to dressing. The first is no additives or preservatives. You may not think about it all that much, but fresh is best if you ask me.
The only “make it last longer” ingredients you’ll find in my homemade salad dressing recipes is salt. And we are talking good salt – none of that icky, iodized stuff.
Yuck! You can also choose how much or how little salt, mayonnaise, or olive oil to add.
Second, it’s really and truly simple to make. Buying dressing from the store may seem like the best option, but homemade is SO much better. And did I mention how quick and easy it is?
Ingredients
The ingredients to make this creamy tomato salad dressing are simple and easily found at your local grocery store.
- Roma tomatoes – While you can use just about any type of tomato for this dressing, I prefer a robust roma. Great flavor and texture.
- Lemon – We will be using this for both the fresh lemon juice and the lemon zest. It adds both flavor and tang to the dressing.
- Dijon mustard – I love the zing and flavor dijon mustard brings to a salad dressing.
- Sugar – We need a little sweetness to balance out the acidity. White granulated sugar is perfect for that.
- Mayonnaise – I like to use a homemade mayo, but you can feel free to use your favorite store bought brand. Learn how to make mayonnaise.
- Extra virgin olive oil – Make sure to use a good quality olive oil here.
- Salt and pepper – I like to use a blend of fine sea salt and ground black pepper. If using a different salt, remember that they measure differently.
Variations
There are plenty of ways you can make this creamy tomato salad dressing your own. Here are a few ideas.
- Fresh herbs – Feel free to throw some fresh herbs into the mix. Parsley, chives, fresh basil or fresh dill would all be great additions.
- Add ins – If you want this creamy dressing to have a little texture, try adding some feta cheese or even some chopped red onion.
- Swap out the mayo – You could easily use greek yogurt or sour cream as substitutions for the mayo.
How to Make Creamy Tomato Salad Dressing
You are going to love how easy it is to make this homemade dressing!
- Boil water and score tomatoes. Fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Set up an ice bath directly next to the range. Score the bottom of each tomato with a “X”.
- Boil tomatoes. Drop the tomatoes into the boiling water. If the water does not fully cover your tomatoes, turn and boil on the other end for a few seconds.
- Move to ice bath and peel. Remove and immediately submerge in the ice bath. Remove the tomatoes from the ice bath and peel. Skin should come off easily.
- Chop tomatoes. Chop off the stem end and then quarter. Using your fingers, gently press out the pulpy seed sections. Do not worry about getting it all, just the majority.
- Add ingredients to food processor and blend. Place the peeled tomatoes, lemon juice, lemon zest, mustard, sugar, mayonnaise, olive oil, salt and pepper into a food processor or blender and blend until pale pink and smoother.
- Enjoy! Drizzle over a fresh salad mix or use as a dipping sauce.
How to Use Creamy Tomato Salad Dressing
Aside from using it to toss into a fresh green salad, there are plenty of other ways you can use this dressing. Sticking with the salad theme, you can use it for your favorite pasta salad or even in a creamy cucumber tomato salad.
You can also use it as a dip for your favorite protein like grilled chicken. I also like to use it as a dip for veggies like cherry tomatoes or english cucumbers.
If you are feeling really bold, serve it with some potato chips or even French fries for the next game. I promise you, that bowl will go so fast and your guests will love you for it.
Storage and Freezing
How to Store Creamy Tomato Salad Dressing
You can store this dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last for up to one week.
Can I Freeze This Dressing
Technically, you can freeze it. However, a creamy dressing will never be exactly the same when thawed, so I do not recommend it.
More Dressing Recipes
There’s nothing better than a homemade dressing to top a fresh salad. Here are a few of our favorites.
Japanese Ginger Dressing Recipe
Roasted Jalapeno and Onion Dressing
Cilantro Lime Dressing Recipe
Creamy Tomato Salad Dressing
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2-3 roma tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Fill a medium saucepan ¾ with water and bring to a boil. Set up an ice bath directly next to the range. Score the bottom of each tomato with a "X".
- Drop the tomatoes into the boiling water for 45-60 seconds. If the water does not fully cover your tomatoes, turn and boil on the other end for a few seconds.
- Remove and immediately submerge in the ice bath. Remove the tomatoes from the ice bath and peel. Skin should come off easily.
- Chop off the stem end and then quarter. Using your fingers, gently press out the pulpy seed sections. Do not worry about getting it all, just the majority.
- Place the peeled tomatoes, lemon juice, lemon zest, mustard, sugar, mayonnaise, olive oil, salt and pepper into a food processor and blend until pale pink and smoother.
- Drizzle over a fresh salad mix or use as a dipping sauce.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, make sure to come back and let us know how you liked it in the comments!
I”m totally digging this double veggie scene! What a great way to work more veggies into every meal.
Sneak those veggies in wherever you can!
What an amazing recipe! I’m trying it on burgers next time!
So tasty on burgers! Such a fresh “secret sauce”!