One Salad Dressing, Four Easy Meals: How to Repurpose a Homemade Salad Dressing All Week

Let's talk about one of the most underrated ways to save time and limit the stress of meal planning: making a single homemade salad dressing. If you're anything like me - juggling work, parenting, and the occasional moment for inner peace and quiet - some days can feel as though you're running around like a chicken with its head cut off. In moments like these, having a go-to homemade dressing in the fridge is clutch. In this post, I'm sharing how I took one simple salad dressing and used it in four completely different meals: a BLT, chicken salad, a quinoa salad, and a veggies-and-dip platter.

For even more inspiration (and Home Cooked Stories), check out Episode 3 where I dive deeper into the process and share how these meals came together in one week.

Avocado Goddess Dressing

Why Homemade Salad Dressing is a Meal Prep Power Move

A good salad dressing does more than dress a salad. It could be used as a marinade for roasting vegetables or a protein like chicken and fish. It can help you pull meals together with ease while also inspiring you to try new recipes. Here's why having a jar of homemade dressing on hand can be beneficial:

• Healthier than store-bought salad dressings (no mystery ingredients, added sugars, or preservatives)

• Budget-friendly (made with pantry staples)

• Versatile (use it as a marinade, sandwich spread, drizzle, or dip)

• Time-saving (prep once and enjoy all week)

My Go-To Green Goddess Dressing Recipe

My husband, Stewart, recently purchased Lidey Heuck's cookbook Cooking in Real Life, and I've really enjoyed it. Each recipe I've tried thus far has been a winner, including this recipe for an avocado goddess dressing. If you generally like a green goddess dressing, you'll love this one. With the help of a Cuisinart to blend all the ingredients together, this recipe is both simply delicious and simple to make.

Avocado Goddess Dressing (makes 1 cup, enough for these 4 meals)

• 1 teaspoon of chopped garlic

• 3 tablespoons of chopped fresh dill

• 2 tablespoons of fresh scallions or chives, minced

• 1 large avocado, pitted and halved

• 1/3 cup of mayonnaise (the original recipe calls for 1/2 cup of mayonnaise)

• 3 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 1 large lemon)

• 1 teaspoon of kosher salt

• Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions: Using your food processor, combine the garlic, dill, scallions, and process until finely chopped. Scoop the avocado into the processor along with the mayonnaise, salt, lemon juice, and a few grinds of the black pepper. Process all ingredients together until smooth and creamy (about 10-15 seconds). I stored this in an airtight glass jar, in the refrigerator, for 5 days - bringing it out each day to make meals.

4 Easy Meals Using One Homemade Dressing

1. BLT with a twist

   Elevate that bacon sandwich and use this avocado dressing as your spread instead of mayo. It has all the components you still love in a classic BLT but adds a fresh tang and creaminess. Want to take it up a notch? Use toasted sourdough instead of white sandwich bread and a handful of arugula in place of leafy green lettuce.

   
   

2. Green Goddess Chicken Salad

   Get picnic and potluck ready with this recipe from Food and Wine. I used it to create my own version of a chicken salad tossed in avocado goddess dressing and enjoyed it throughout the week. I love how bright and colorful this salad is, thanks to the celery and piquillo peppers. I omitted the olives (personal preference) and used croutons instead of fresh ciabatta bread.
   

3. Quinoa Salad Cook a cup of quinoa, add some fresh spinach, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes and black beans, and toss everything with the avocado goddess dressing. Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. This bowl is perfect to eat off of for lunches throughout the week, or as a side dish to your main meal. Some crumbled feta on top would be a great addition.

   
   

4. Veggies & Dip Platter Take your classic raw veggies and ranch drip and give them a grow-up upgrade. Arrange a platter of your favorite vegetables (cucumbers, carrots, radishes, broccoli, bell peppers, etc.) and serve alongside a bowl of the avocado goddess dressing. It's a fun, fresh appetizer or accompaniment to a light meal.

   
   

   

   Avocado Goddess Dressing on Chicken Salad

   
   

Final Thoughts: One Jar, Endless Possibilities

With just one simple salad dressing, you can build a week of meals that keeps things simple and encourages you to shake things up a bit in the kitchen. Whether you're packing school lunches, feeding your family on a weeknight, or just trying to eat a little better - this is a trick worth repeating. I know I will be!

Want to Hear More?

Listen to the full podcast episode!