Sunshine Salad Dressing
This creamy honey-mustard salad dressing recipe is lightened up with Greek yogurt. No mayo here! This homemade dressing is easy to make, too. I love it so much that I nicknamed it "sunshine salad dressing."
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on October 1, 2024
Let’s rewind to my trip to Costa Rica last month with my grandmother. It was the last day on our group trip, and we arrived at Sibu for our final dinner together. Sibu produces the best chocolate I’ve ever tasted, and they greeted us with rum-spiked, spiced hot chocolate.
I was literally a kid in a candy store all night as they presented a lesson in chocolate history (with wine and chocolate) and moved on to an incredible dinner.
After appetizers, they handed us chopped salads that looked fairly basic at first glance—I remember lettuce, tomato, avocado, feta and dressing. Then I took a bite and forgot about chocolate for a minute. That dressing!
I immediately tracked down the owner of the place to ask about it. He said it was a “honey-Dijon vinaigrette with yogurt base” and I vowed to recreate it at home. Mind you, this dressing is quite different from a classic vinaigrette.
I started with the honey-mustard vinaigrette that I made for my cookbook, which I love as written. I reduced the oil and added plain Greek yogurt until it tasted like the dressing at Sibu.
This dressing is essentially a creamy honey-mustard dressing made with Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise. It offers a more luxurious texture than any other honey-mustard dressing I’ve tried. I’m usually skeptical of using yogurt in place of mayonnaise or sour cream (mayo and sour cream have their place), but this salad dressing wouldn’t be the same without it.
Healthy Honey-Mustard Dressing
The only problem with this dressing is that “honey-Dijon vinaigrette with yogurt base” doesn’t do it justice. “Healthy honey-mustard dressing” sounds bland, and “creamy honey-mustard dressing” doesn’t quite capture the tangy deliciousness of the yogurt.
I dubbed it “Sunshine Salad Dressing” since it brightens up my salads so well. I couldn’t keep it to myself any longer, so I’m sharing it today for all of your side salad needs. The recipe yields a lot (almost 1 1/2 cups). I don’t think you’ll have any trouble finishing it off. It makes a stellar dip for vegetables, too!
I’ve been keeping a big jar of it in my fridge for the past couple of weeks, and it goes with just about everything. Try this honey-mustard dressing with any of the following:
- Fresh greens of any kind
- Avocado
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Kale
- Carrots
- Apples
- Bell peppers
- Goat cheese, feta or cheddar cheese
- Sunflower seeds, pecans, or almonds
Don’t miss my sunshine slaw with quinoa or my roasted and raw carrot salad with avocado, which both call for this dressing. I have more salads over here.
Please let me know how you like this honey-mustard dressing in the comments! I hope you love it as much as I do.
Watch How to Make Sunshine Dressing
Sunshine Salad Dressing
This creamy honey-mustard salad dressing recipe is lightened up with Greek yogurt. No mayo here! It’s so easy to whisk this dressing together. Recipe yields almost 1 ½ cups and keeps well for 10 to 14 days.
Ingredients
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (any % fat will do)
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard
- 3 to 4 tablespoons honey, to taste
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or more lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, pressed or minced
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 10 twists of freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a 2-cup liquid measuring cup or bowl, combine all of the ingredients as listed. Whisk until blended. Taste, and season with additional pepper if necessary.
- This dressing is intentionally bold, but if it tastes too tart for your liking, whisk in another tablespoon of honey.
- Store leftover salad dressing in the refrigerator, covered, for 10 to 14 days.
Notes
Make it dairy free: If you have a favorite unsweetened dairy-free plain yogurt, it should work well here.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
I made this dressing for a lunch salad today, and not only did my non-salad-fan third grade daughter eat it, she picked up her plate and drank the leftover dressing when she was done!! I made it with our homemade goat milk yogurt. My husband’s quote was “this is the perfect salad!”
I think that’s a parenting win, right? Thanks for sharing, Molly!
Thank you Kate I have been looking for healthy recipes for my mom and me to make and your recipes are not only healthy but very delicious!Thank you so very much for sharing these recipes we really appreciate and enjoy them! God bless you Kate!
I’m really glad you are enjoying them! Thanks for your review, Diamond!
Hello Kathryne Taylor,
It was the first time I read your post and come to know about a wonderful recipe by mustard and honey.
This is so amazing. Thanks for sharing…
You’re welcome!
Oh man this dressing is good! I poured it on a salad with mixed greens, avocado, and plant-based “chicken” patties. My partner ate it with gusto and was very happy when I told him the recipe made enough dressing for a few more salads throughout the week. This is a bright, flavorful dressing.
I’m happy it was a hit with you guys! Thanks, Samantha.
I approached this dressing with a bit of skeptism due to the garlic and cider vinegar but it’s just delicious. The whole recipe is a bit much for us so I halved everything except the honey and added a bit more Fage 2% yogurt (about 3 T for 1/2 the recipe) and let it sit in the fridge for about an hour before tossing the salad. Hubby says it’s a keeper!
I’m happy you tried it anyway, Charlene! Thanks so much for your review.
I just made this and to be honest I thought it might be too tart for me but it is FABULOUS! I am going to use it on the wild rice and arugula salad….I am positive it will compliment the tart cherries in the recipe.
Hooray! Thanks for sharing, Sue. I’m glad you still tried it.
Just made you Sunshine Salad Dressing and WOW! It’s delish thanks so much!
You’re welcome, Debbie! I’m glad you loved it.
If I’m on a Keto diet, can I substitute stevia for the honey?
I don’t use stevia, but it could work I would think.
Kate, this looks delicious! I’m planning to give this a try. I’m always looking for more salad dressings to try at home. I absolutely hate most of the store bought dressings, but enjoy restaurant dressings.
The Greek yoghurt is a good choice since it is more firm than other yoghurts.
Thanks for your comment, Alexia!
Summer salads with blueberries pair very well with honey mustard dressing! I do not know why, I just know the flavours are great together.
Thanks for sharing, Sharon!
Hi Cookie and Kate! I just wanted to tell you I made your healthy honey mustard salad dressing and it is FANTASTIC! I have friends that are Moroccan who make this, but yours is so much healthier, therefore better. Thank you so much for sharing this.
You’re welcome! Thank you for your review.
Wow! That is so good! Your recipe has just the right balance of ingredients to create a fantastic taste. I was looking for a healthy alternative to supermarket dressings…both commercial and high end. This beats them all. I had all the ingredients on hand and within 5 minutes easily had it all mixed up. I’m looking forward to reading your entire site. Thanks!
Thank you, John! I’m excited for you to try more.
Omg. I love this dressing. Here’s what I did tonight. Leftover baked chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces, halfed red grapes, chopped onions, toasted pine nuts, and the sunshine dressing. Best chicken salad EVER!!
Thank you for your review, Kathy!
It’s the best ever salad dressing I’ve ever tasted. Thanks so much for this recipe. It’s going to be the only one I’ll use from now on.
Hooray, Sue! I’m happy to hear that. Thanks for your review.
Delicious!!!! Thank you for sharing!
You’re welcome, Marine!
LOVED it. Thank you for the recipe.
You’re welcome, Shawn! Thanks for the review.
Great!!!!
Thank you, Heather!
This was a really good dressing. I also was skeptical when I saw Greek Yogurt & Apple Cider Vinegar. Everything came together nicely. I used a Honey Horseradish Mustard made by Smak Dab mustard. I also used a garlic infused olive oil and then eliminated the garlic. Also I think the key is a high quality Apple Cider vinegar (they don’t all taste the same).
Thanks for sharing, Bev!
Delicious! I just made it and it’s soooo good. I almost never make a recipe exactly to the instructions, but this one I did, and boy is it good! Thanks!
Thanks for your review, Amy!
We didn’t have any ACV (the fiance took the last bottle to work, oops) so I just used a little more lemon juice, and this dressing is DIVINE! Thanks for sharing. I can’t wait to eat it all!
More lemon juice works too, Caitlin! Thanks for sharing.
This is incredibly delicious and makes a boring, healthy salad absolutely incredible! Tastes way more decadent than it is.
I didn’t have Greek yogurt on hand, so I drained regular plain yogurt for 30 minutes and it worked perfectly. Took it to a work potluck and everyone raved about it.
Thanks for my new go-to creamy dressing recipe!
You’re welcome, Margaret!
Hi ho, Kate. Your Sunshine Salad Dressing is superb, really a knock-out, as nearly all of your fans agree. You’re a culinary genius, and I particularly love your inclinations re: fresh ground pepper in this recipe; quite extraordinary the way the abundance of pepper blends in so pleasantly, and subtly adds whole ‘nother dimension to the overall structure. In case there are others who might like to thin this dressing out a little (maybe cutting the mustardy boldness just a tad, and making it all go further for unexpected company — and besides, some salads just prefer a thinner dressing), it works well if you add 2 or 3 tablespoons of white grape juice to the recipe, which I otherwise follow to a tee. Thank you so much. And what a lovely blog and website you’ve created. I will be a frequent re-visitor.
This is a terrific slimmed down recipe. Honey mustard is my favorite dressing, and at normally 5 pts per 2 T on Weight Watchers it just makes since to not have it. However, I ran across your recipe and thought I would try it. I used non-fat yogurt along with only 3 T honey and followed the recipe exactly as written. It turned out really nicely. I calculated on the Weigh Watchers app that 1 T with my changes is only 1 pt! Whereas, 1 T would be 2.5 pts! Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe!
Thank you for sharing what worked for you, Layla!
Does it have only be Greek yogurt? Can you use just plain yogurt.
You can use regular, but it won’t be as thick.
This was sooooo good! Made tonight for a dinner salad. I used almond milk plain yogurt since I have lactose intolerance. Everyone loved it! Thank you!
You’re welcome, Vicki!
I used a sunflower seed sour cream I had made earlier this week for the base and it turned out amazing!!
Thanks for sharing how you made this vegan, Jennifer!
Just made this salad dressing with plain yogurt; it had the perfect consistency floured it over my kale,quinoa, shrimp, avocado, shredded Swiss cheese, Bermuda onion, roasted pumpkin seed salad.
Thank you,
Sounds like a delicious combination!
I’ve made this dressing at least 5 times. I used the yogurt only once because I’m not a fan of the texture. Mayo or light mayo works well for me. I’ve used balsamic once, loved it. Everyone I served it to devours it. It’s a fantastic recipe. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome, Roslyn!
Sooo good! I use it in a salad with romaine, avocado, chickpeas, feta, dried cranberries, and whatever random green vegetables I have in the fridge. The dressing goes perfectly!
Sounds delicious, Alison!
Simple, fast and delicious! Made a green salad and this dressing for a potluck dinner with friends. It was a crowd pleaser with everyone requesting the recipe the next morning while we share pics of the feast. My only suggestion to others is to follow the recipe exactly as presented (I only used 3T of honey). Any deviation can easily upset the careful balancing of flavors.
Thank you for sharing your experience, Mina!
Hi Kate!
Anything I can substitute for the yogurt to be considered mostly raw?
Hi Chelle, the yogurt really makes the dressing creamy and is a key ingredient. Maybe my basic vinaigrette options might be better for you: https://sooka.info/how-to-make-vinaigrette-plus-variations/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
I made this and by mistake I left out the mustard this time and it fabulous this way too.
I’m happy you still enjoyed it, Susan!
I love this dressing! I’m not usually into creamy ingredients in my salad dressing, but the combination of yogurt and olive oil gives it the right consistency without being creamy or heavy. The tangy/tart punch from the mustard and lemon juice balanced by the sweetness from the honey make this a rockstar recipe. Currently enjoying it over a salad with leftover quinoa. Thanks, Kate!
You’re welcome! I’m excited you enjoyed it, Elissa.
What’s the calorie count?
Hi Neil! The nutritional information is below the notes of the recipe. :)
I have never cared for honey mustard dressings, but this recipe is delightful! I think the lemon and garlic in it makes all the difference.
Thanks!
I’m so happy you loved this one, Cynthia!
HI! I made this and am in love with it!!! It is soooo good!!! However, like others have said the nutritional facts are not shown under the notes section. I have tried expanding it and still nothing. I hope you can provide the info because I would LOVE to keep making this and sharing with others.
Hi Michelle! I’m sorry you are having issues. Right now, I’m working to resolve the problem. Check back soon!
I just made the dressing and it will be a new favorite in our home. Thank you!
You’re welcome, Karen!
Just made this! I cant wait to eat my salad tomorrow! Delicious!
What did you think of it with your salad?
Holy canoli, “this dressing” is fantastic!
Would also be great as a hollandaise sub for eggs benedict.
We added some chopped fresh rosemary and put it on roast pork slices. (Sorry, we are meat eaters!)
Everything one could want from a recipe: healthy, easy, versatile and delicious!
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing, Lisa!
I was looking for a new dressing and came across this one. It is amazing! So fresh and light. A new favourite in the house. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you for sharing!
This is the best dressing I have ever tasted! I am so happy there is lots left over. So tasty!
Thank you, Lisa!
My husband loved it and said it was his favorite of any I’ve made….and I’ve made a lot.
That’s great! Thanks for your review, Laura!
Thanks a lot for sharing this. The idea of Greek yogurt as a dressing base is so encouraging, nutritious and delighting.
The taste is fancy and elegant with the convenience of dining at home.
Found ourselves eating more than salads with your shared honey mustard dressing.
Hope this makes your day like you did for us. Yay!
This does make my day! Thank you, Khaled.
Hi Kate, can I replace the yogurt with sour cream? Thank you
Sure!
This is delicious! Made it as a salad dressing – ended up using it with the grilled fish too.
I’m so pleased with this dressing. I was looking for a low calorie, home made salad dressing that didn’t taste low calorie and this fit the bill perfectly. Thank you!!
Since my husband and I moved to Greece 3 years ago where there are tons of gorgeous fresh vegetables but the meat isn’t that great, we’ve been incorporating more and more vegetables into our diet. I recently made your sunshine dressing exactly as written, except since there’s no apple cider vinegar here, I used an Italian brand of plain apple vinegar. The result was fantastic! I thought the dressing was a little overpowering for light salad greens like mesclun, but served it tonight on a salad of grilled baby shrimp, steamed zucchini cubes, scallions, capers and lots of fresh basil chiffonade. Out of this world.
I’m happy you love it, Karla! I also hope you are loving your time in Greece. It’s so beautiful!
Delicious! Love it. It is light and flavorful.
I just made this and it’s awesome !!
Thanks muchly Kate!
You’re welcome!
Has anyone figured out how many calories per 2 T serving?
You can always use online calculators if you would like to find that information.