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Home » Recipes » Healthy Sauce and Spread Recipes

Tangy Poppy Seed Dressing

Modified: Mar 11, 2024 · Published: Jun 25, 2023 by Tera Gigot · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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Spring and summer is when veggies and fruits taste incredible, which means we need homemade salad dressings on deck for giant, nourishing salads. This tangy poppy seed dressing is an easy, all-purpose salad dressing recipe you can use for any salad!

Poppy seed dressing in small glass jar with spoon dripping dressing into the jar, with salad and linen in background this recipe

In summer, salads hit different because they're packed with all the freshest veggies, fruits, cheeses, grains, and grilled meats. And when those salad cravings strike, I'm on the lookout for a salad dressing that's easy to throw together at home. This tangy poppy seed dressing can befriend savory and sweet ingredients, and don't forget about grain and pasta salads as well!

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Substitutions & Variations
  • Instructions
  • Watch How to Make Poppy Seed Dressing
  • FAQ
  • Related
  • 📖 Recipe

Ingredients

Poppy seed dressing ingredients divided into small bowls sit on a light gray and white surface. The ingredients include mayo, Dijon mustard, agave, onion powder, salt, light vinegar, poppy seeds, and Greek yogurt.
  • Plain Greek yogurt - I recommend whole milk Greek yogurt for a rich flavor.
  • Mayo - Just a little bit of mayo tastes delicious in this dressing!
  • Dijon mustard - Adds a savory component.
  • Vinegar - Serves as an acid to brighten the flavor of the dressing. I recommend using a light vinegar in this recipe, such as rice vinegar, white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or basic white vinegar. I'm also still infatuated with this aged sherry vinegar and think it would be delicious in this poppy seed dressing (I've purchased on Amazon & at Whole Foods or Kroger stores).
  • Agave - A little sweetness to contrast with the savory ingredients and make the flavors pop.
  • Poppy seeds - It's not poppy seed dressing without poppy seeds!
  • Onion powder
  • Salt

Substitutions & Variations

Below are some ingredient substitutions and variations you can try!

  • Vegan - I haven't tested this yet, but you could make this recipe vegan by replacing the mayo with vegan mayo, and the Greek yogurt with a plain plant-based yogurt.
  • Onion - If you prefer fresh alliums in your salad dressings, you could dressing finely mincing some shallot or garlic instead of the onion powder. Start with just a teaspoon, taste, and add more if you'd like.
  • Lemon - Add juice of one lemon plus some of the zest for a creamy lemon poppy seed dressing.
  • Vinegar - Within the realm of light vinegars, you can certainly get creative! Look for different flavors such as orange champagne vinegar, which would make a delicious orange champagne poppy seed dressing.
Tangy poppy seed dressing in small glass jar with spoon, on white and gray surface

Instructions

This tangy poppy seed dressing is seriously SO easy to make. Just get your small bowl or jar, and a whisk (or fork)!

After you measure out your ingredients, the dressing is done in two simple steps:

  1. Add ingredients. Place the ingredients in a bowl.
  2. Whisk. Vigorously whisk ingredients together until you get a thoroughly combined, creamy dressing.

And most importantly, top all the salads!

Poppy seed dressing in small glass jar with spoon scooping the dressing, and mixed greens salad in background on white and gray surface

Hint: I recommend using a full fat, plain Greek yogurt rather than a lower fat alternative. It makes the dressing taste super rich and creamy while being a nourishing ingredient (with protein and probiotics!).

Watch How to Make Poppy Seed Dressing

FAQ

What goes with poppy seed dressing?

Pretty much everything, which is why we love it! You can take it in a savory or sweet direction. Think veggie salads with grilled chicken or salmon, or even to toss in a batch of coleslaw. Or, you can incorporate sweet ingredients like strawberries and candied nuts. It also goes well with pasta and grains such as orzo, farro, and quinoa. I use it in my spring strawberry feta orzo salad, which is an unexpectedly delicious combination of flavors.

How do I store the dressing?

Store poppy dressing in the fridge in an airtight container (we love glass jars!) for up to five days. This recipe makes a small batch so it's pretty easy to use it up!

Related

More easy salad dressings for you! Plus, try my strawberry feta orzo salad recipe that calls for this very poppy seed dressing.

  • Homemade basil vinaigrette in small Weck jar with spoon
    Small Batch Homemade Basil Vinaigrette
  • Homemade Caesar dressing in a small jar with freshly cracked pepper on top, on light gray surface, with slice of sourdough and lemons on side
    Homemade Caesar Dressing with Greek Yogurt
  • Cherry vinaigrette in small glass jar with spoon, on white marble stand with a few cherries.
    Very Cherry Vinaigrette
  • Strawberry feta orzo salad in white ceramic bowl with spoon, on white distressed wood surface
    Spring Strawberry Feta Orzo Salad

Did you make this poppy seed salad dressing? Don't forget to leave a star rating 🌟 and comment below, and tag me on Instagram and Pinterest so I can see what you made!

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📖 Recipe

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Tangy poppy seed dressing in small glass jar with spoon on gray and white surface

Tangy Poppy Seed Dressing


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  • Author: Tera
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: ~¾ cup
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Description

This tangy poppy seed dressing is made with yogurt for a healthier take on the classic. It's so easy to make and all-purpose -- use it for any kind of salad, be it savory, sweet, pasta, grain, or lettuce!


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt (whole milk recommended)
  • 1 tablespoon mayo
  • ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon agave (or maple syrup)
  • 1-2 tablespoons vinegar (any light vinegar, such as rice, cider, or red wine)
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • ½ tablespoon poppy seeds


Instructions

  1. Add to bowl. Add all ingredients to a small or medium bowl or jar.
  2. Whisk together. Use a fork or a mini whisk to whisk the ingredients together until thoroughly combined (a smooth, uniform consistency).

Notes

  1. Storage. Store this poppy seed dressing in the fridge in a jar or other airtight container for up to five days.
  2. Serving suggestions. Poppy seed dressing is such a great all-purpose salad dressing! You can enjoy it with lettuce salads or pasta salads, both savory and sweet ingredients.
  • Prep Time: 5
  • Category: Salad Dressing
  • Method: Whisk
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 70
  • Sugar: 4.5 g
  • Sodium: 119.9 mg
  • Fat: 4.2 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 5.4 g
  • Protein: 2.4 g
  • Cholesterol: 4.5 mg

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Tera Gigot, the author, photographer, and recipe developer of Roots and Radishes.

Hey, I'm Tera! And I'm so glad to meet you. I've been using seasonal produce to create recipes in my Wisconsin kitchen for 12 years. Here you'll find nourishing whole foods recipes that are approachable and delicious.

More about me →

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Tangy poppy seed dressing in small glass jar with spoon, on white and gray surface, with small wooden plate and bowl of mixed greens in the background
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