This creamy, sweet, and tangy Homemade Poppyseed Dressing comes together in just 10 minutes with a handful of pantry staples like mayo, vinegar, honey, Dijon, and lemon juice. It’s perfect for drizzling over everything from spinach salads to grilled chicken bowls—and it tastes way better than store-bought!
About This Recipe
This super creamy poppyseed dressing is incredibly easy to whip up with just a few pantry staples. No blender or fancy tools required. Made with mayo, honey, Dijon mustard, white wine vinegar, and a squeeze of lemon juice, it strikes the perfect balance of bright, sweet, and slightly tangy, all tied together with crunchy little poppyseeds.
It’s one of my go-to dressings for spring and summer salads, especially those featuring fresh fruit like strawberries or apples. Try it drizzled over my Strawberry Spinach Salad or tossed with this Autumn Apple Pasta Salad. It adds the perfect creamy, tangy-sweet finish!
An Note About Poppyseeds:
While poppyseeds may be tiny, they add more than just a pretty speckled look! Their mild nutty flavor and delicate crunch give this creamy dressing a little extra texture and depth—especially when paired with sweet ingredients like honey or fruity salads. You might not notice them right away, but they round everything out beautifully.
Ingredients Substitutions
Made with real ingredients and no preservatives, this dressing is as wholesome as it is delicious. Jump to the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients.
- Mayonnaise: Substitute with plain Greek yogurt (for a lighter, tangier version) or sour cream. For a dairy-free version, use vegan mayo. You could even try making homemade mayo. I mean, why not?
- White Wine Vinegar: Use apple cider vinegar or champagne vinegar for a similar level of acidity with subtle flavor differences.
- Honey: Swap with maple syrup, agave nectar, or brown rice syrup. Use maple syrup for a deeper sweetness or agave for a neutral profile.
Tasty Variations
Vinaigrette-Style (No Mayo): For a lighter, pourable vinaigrette, omit the mayo and blend the olive oil, vinegar, honey, mustard, poppyseeds. Perfect for hot summer days.
Berry Poppyseed Dressing: Blend in fresh strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries. Use a blender for a smooth, pink-hued dressing that’s delicious on fresh spinach salads with crumbled feta.
Citrus Poppyseed Dressing: Replace some or all of the vinegar with orange juice for a fruitier, brighter flavor. Great on berry or citrus salads.
Which one sounds best to you? Let me know in the comment section below, maybe I’ll share a recipe for it here 🙂
Serving Ideas
This creamy poppyseed dressing is a natural match for fruity and refreshing salads. Drizzle it over my Spinach Salad with Apples, this Spinach and Strawberry Pasta Salad or toss it with a sweet and seasonal Fruit Salad for a light and flavorful finish. Use it on chopped green salads with Grilled Chicken and Baked Salmon, or even as a spread on sandwiches and wraps.
If you love this easy poppyseed dressing recipe, be sure to check out my other creamy favorites like Blue Cheese Dressing, Green Goddess Dressing, Thousand Island Dressing, and of course Ranch Dressing. They’re just as easy to make and full of flavor!
RECIPE CARD
Poppyseed Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup white wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons poppyseeds
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper - to taste
Instructions
- In a medium bowl or large glass measuring cup, whisk together the mayonnaise, white wine vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, poppyseeds, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. Adjust the seasonings to taste.
- Transfer to a jar or bottle with a tight-fitting lid. Shake before serving and enjoy over your favorite salads.
Jessica’s Notes
Nutritional Information
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)
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