This creamy Kefir Salad Dressing with chopped dill is a delicious and probiotic rich way to dress up a variety of salads with fresh greens, vegetables and more. I suggest pairing it with a tomato, avocado, and egg salad.
Kefir is a naturally fermented dairy product full of beneficial bacteria and gut health supporting probiotics. It is similar to yogurt, however, its active cultures give it a distinct, tart flavor with a tangy, sometimes even fizzy mouth feel.
Kefir is great on its own and also makes a perfect base for this creamy dill salad dressing.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Kefir Dressing:
- Kefir - plain, unflavored
- sour cream
- Dijon mustard
- fresh dill - finely chopped. Or other fresh herbs like parsley, chives, cilantro
- minced onion - or onion powder
- salt & black pepper - to taste
- cayenne pepper
Tomato, Avocado, Egg Salad:
- romaine lettuce
- hard boiled egg - sliced
- avocado - sliced
- pumpkin seeds
- cherry tomatoes - halved
See recipe box for details.
Instructions
- Whisk together the kefir, sour cream, and Dijon mustard until evenly combined.
- Then stir in chopped dill, minced onion, and seasonings to taste.
- Pour over preferred salad ingredients, like the suggested rainbow salad, or this carrot + cucumber salad. Toss to combine.
- Use about 2 tablespoons of the kefir sauce per serving if the salad is a main meal. 1 tablespoon per side dish serving.
Storage
The recipe makes enough dressing for more than one salad. Store any leftovers in a covered container in the fridge for 4-5 days.
Variations
There are many different ways to modify this dressing to your preferences or to what you have on hand.
- Turn it into kefir ranch dressing by using this ranch seasoning mix in place of dill.
- Turn up the acidity in this creamy salad dressing by adding lemon juice, white wine vinegar, or apple cider vinegar.
- Replace the sour cream with mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, or use kefir only for the creamy component.
- Use fresh garlic or garlic powder in place of the onion.
FAQ
To make a homemade dill salad dressing with kefir, you can combine kefir, sour cream, Dijon, fresh dill, minced onion, and spices. Blend the ingredients until smooth, and adjust the seasonings to taste.
While both kefir and yogurt are cultured dairy products, they have some differences. Kefir is known for its tart and sometimes slightly effervescent taste, owing to its fermentation process with kefir grains. It also contains a broader variety of probiotic strains compared to yogurt.
Yes, Lifeway Kefir can be used in various recipes other than salads. It can be incorporated into smoothies, used as a marinade for meats, added to baked goods like muffins or pancakes, or even enjoyed on its own as a refreshing drink. Its tangy flavor and probiotic content make it a versatile ingredient for a wide range of culinary creations.
Related
Looking for more salad recipes? You might enjoy these:
Recipe
Kefir Salad Dressing
Ingredients
Dressing:
- ⅓ cup Kefir plain, unflavored
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon minced onion or ⅓ teaspoon onion powder
- salt & pepper to taste
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
Green Salad Suggestion:
- 3 cups romaine lettuce chopped
- 1 hard boiled egg sliced
- ½ avocado sliced
- 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
Instructions
- To prepare the dressing whisk together kefir, sour cream, and Dijon mustard. Then stir in chopped dill, minced onion, and seasonings to taste.
- Place the chopped romaine on a large plate and arrange egg slices, avocado slices, pumpkin seeds and cherry tomato halves over top.
- The recipe makes enough dressing for more than one salad. So use only as much dressing as needed. Store any leftovers in the fridge for 4-5 days.
Notes
Nutrition
Pin for later?
Billy
I have never tried a kefir salad dressing before. I've definitely seen it made in ranch before, so I don't think its too far out of the question! Thank you for sharing this recipe! Definitely excited to try it at home.
Regina
Thanks for reminding me of this recipe! It's been a while since I made it. But I fondly remember the tart and dill-y flavor.
Cyn
Mmmmm that recipe sounds fantastic. I haven't tried Lifeway Kefir yet but I sure will now. All those added health benefits and you made it sound so yummy = win! #client
Regina
Thanks Cyn, I hope you try and enjoy it as much as me.
Jacquee @ I Sugar Coat It!
Love Kefir in smoothies, with granola and fruit or just straight up! That salad makes me wish summer never ends.
Regina
Right, I just learnt that Kefir is 99% lactose-free so its a perfect dairy product even for people with allergies/sensitivities. Oh I hear you on wishing for never-ending summer...
Angie@Angie's Recipes
That's one wholesome salad! Love kefir dressing.
Regina
Thanks Angie. This was my first time using Kefir in a salad dressing, took a couple attempts to get it right, but then it was awesome!