This creamy mayonnaise salad dressing is tangy, smooth, and made with a handful of simple ingredients. It’s great on leafy greens, pasta salads, drizzled over veggies, or mixed into coleslaw.
Creamy Mayonnaise Salad Dressing That’s Way Better Than Store-Bought
This creamy mayonnaise salad dressing is a quick, reliable option that works with all kinds of salads. It’s smooth and tangy thanks to red wine vinegar, with just enough sweetness to keep the flavors balanced. Garlic powder and parsley add a little extra flavor without making it too bold.
You can use this dressing on leafy greens, pasta salads, coleslaw, or as a dip for fresh vegetables. The flavor is simple enough to pair with almost anything, but it still adds something to the dish.
All you need is a bowl, a whisk, and a few measuring spoons. Everything mixes together in minutes, and it keeps well in the fridge so you can make it ahead and have it ready when you need it.
Why I Love This Recipe
- It comes together fast with just one bowl and a whisk – nothing complicated.
- I like that it’s easy to change up depending on what I’m serving it with.
- It’s a nice diversion from bottled dressings and tastes a lot fresher.
Ingredients
This creamy dressing comes together with just a few simple ingredients, each one pulling its weight to balance tang, richness, and a little bit of bite.
- Mayonnaise – The base of the dressing, giving it that creamy texture and rich flavor.
- Red wine vinegar – Adds a tangy kick that brightens up the mayo.
- Chopped parsley – Brings in some fresh, herby flavor and a pop of color.
- Granulated sugar – Just a touch to mellow out the acidity.
- Kosher salt – Enhances everything and keeps it from tasting flat.
- Garlic powder – Adds a mellow garlic flavor without being overpowering.
How to Make Creamy Mayonnaise Salad Dressing
Find the complete recipe with measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Step One (grab a bowl and mix it up)
Toss the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, chopped parsley, sugar, kosher salt, and garlic powder into a medium bowl. - Step Two (whisk until smooth)
Whisk it all together until it looks creamy and everything’s fully blended. No lumps, no streaks – just smooth dressing. - Step Three (taste and chill if you want)
Give it a quick taste. If it needs a little more salt or vinegar, now’s the time. You can use it right away, or pop it in the fridge until you’re ready.
Recipe Tips
A few simple changes can help personalize the flavor of this creamy mayonnaise salad dressing and make it just right:
- Add more vinegar if you want extra tang, or a pinch more sugar if you like it a little sweeter. I use the same vinegar in my Greek salad dressing recipe for the same pop.
- Fresh parsley is great, but dried works in a pinch – just use about a third of the amount since it’s more concentrated.
- If the dressing thickens up in the fridge, stir in a splash of water or milk to loosen it.
- A squeeze of lemon juice (about 1 teaspoon) brightens it up even more – nice if you want a little citrusy lift.
- A pinch of cracked black pepper adds a sharp, peppery flavor that balances the creaminess – start with 1/8 teaspoon and add more if you like.
Storage
Here’s how to keep this creamy mayonnaise salad dressing fresh for later:
- Store it in an airtight container or jar in the fridge.
- It’ll keep well for up to 5 days.
- Give it a quick stir before using, especially if it’s been sitting for a while.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use a different vinegar? Yes, white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar will work too – just know it may slightly change the flavor.
- Can I make this without sugar? You can leave it out or swap in a small amount of honey or maple syrup if you want a touch of sweetness.
- Is this dressing gluten-free? It is, as long as your mayonnaise and vinegar are labeled gluten-free (most are, but it’s worth checking).
- Can I double the recipe? Absolutely. Just scale everything up and store any extra in a sealed jar in the fridge. It’s great to have on hand.
More Salad Dressing Recipes To Try
If you’re looking for a different flavor, here are a few more salad dressing recipes worth trying.
- Tangy Honey Lemon French Dressing
- Creamy Parmesan Salad Dressing
- Creamy Mexican Avocado Dressing
- Strawberry Vinaigrette
- Italian Dressing
- Honey Dijon Dressing
- Old Spaghetti Factory’s Creamy Pesto Dressing
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Creamy Mayonnaise Salad Dressing
Equipment
- measuring cups and spoons For accurate ingredient amounts.
- mixing bowls For combining all the ingredients.
- whisk Blends everything into a smooth, creamy dressing.
- Knife To chop the parsley.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsps. red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp. finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp. granulated sugar
- 1/8 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/8 tsp. garlic powder
Instructions
- Add the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, chopped parsley, sugar, kosher salt, and garlic powder to a medium bowl.1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsps. red wine vinegar, 1 tbsp. finely chopped fresh parsley, 1 tsp. granulated sugar, 1/8 tsp. kosher salt, 1/8 tsp. garlic powder
- Whisk everything together until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve right away or refrigerate until ready to use.
Notes
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe? Share your experience in the comments below and let me know how it turned out.
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Leave a Reply