Olivia Wilde’s Salad Dressing: 3 Other Healthy Vinaigrette Ideas Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Healthy Recipes
3 Vinaigrette Recipes as Healthy as Olivia Wilde s Salad Dressing
Find out how to make the ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ director’s special salad dressing, and some similarly flavorful vinaigrette recipes from a registered dietitian-nutritionist. By Kelly Kennedy, RDNReviewed: October 21, 2022Fact-Checked Amid the drama surrounding Jason Sudeikis Olivia Wilde and Harry Styles a simple salad dressing has gone viral
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images; CanvaWho would have thought a salad dressing could break the internet? But that’s exactly what Olivia Wilde’s so-called special salad dressing seems to have done this month. In an interview posted October 19 by The Daily Mail, a former nanny of Wilde’s alleged that the actor-director of the much-gossiped-about movie Don’t Worry Darling dressed a salad in a vinaigrette to bring to Harry Styles, whom she is now dating. At the time, Wilde was living with her then-fiancé, the Ted Lasso star and producer Jason Sudeikis, and the ex-nanny claims he lay down under Wilde’s car to prevent Wilde from leaving. (Wilde and Sudeikis never married, but they share two children and are currently embroiled in a custody battle over them after their breakup.) One can only assume that this desperate move by Sudeikis was an effort to keep the delicious vinaigrette all to himself. Wilde and Sudeikis have since released a joint statement denying the nanny’s claim. But as several news outlets, including CNN, reported, Wilde also posted a picture of the source of her salad dressing recipe in an Instagram Story — a page from the famous Nora Ephron novel Heartburn, which was about Ephron’s own divorce. How to Make Olivia Wilde s Salad Dressing
Here is Wilde’s special salad dressing recipe:Mix 2 tablespoons (tbsp) of Grey Poupon and 2 tbsp of red wine vinegarSlowly whisk in 6 tbsp of olive oil until the vinaigrette is thick and creamy Per 2 tbsp serving, this dressing contains: 150 calories, 16 grams (g) of fat, 2.2 g of saturated fat, and 145 milligrams (mg) of sodium. The dressing also contains 0 g of carbohydrates, making it low-carb and keto-friendly. Compared with processed, packaged store-bought salad dressings, registered dietitians would agree that Wilde’s special dressing is nutritious. The Perks of Making Salad Dressing From Scratch
In truth, the salad dressing you opt for can make or break a salad nutritionally. While veggie-based salads are low-calorie and packed with fiber and other valuable nutrients, a typical store-bought dressing — not to mention toppings like cheddar cheese and croutons, which contain unhealthy saturated fat and refined carbs — instantly undercut the health perks of your bowl. Most of the bottled dressings available at your local grocery store are high in calories and (like cheese) saturated fat. In excess, saturated fat can elevate cholesterol levels, harming the heart, according to the American Heart Association. Commercial dressings are also likely to be packed with chemical preservatives. For example, 2 tbsp of Ken’s Blue Cheese Dressing contains 130 calories, 2.5 g of saturated fat, and ingredients such as propylene glycol alginate, which is an emulsifier, and calcium disodium EDTA, which is used to preserve flavor. While fat-free dressings, such as Hidden Valley Fat-Free Ranch, promise to save on calories and obviously fat, they deliver an even longer and harder-to-decipher ingredient list. Homemade salad dressings, on the other hand, contain simple, easy-to-pronounce whole ingredients that you likely already have on hand. Plus, they can be easy and inexpensive to prepare at home — and you may find they’re even more flavorful than your favorite store-bought ones. Bonus: You have complete control of the type and quality of the oil and vinegar used in your homemade dressings, which means you can be certain that what you’re putting on your salad directly aligns with your personal goals. That may be weight loss, adherence to a keto diet, or simply a more nutritious diet. And while a traditional vinaigrette, like Wilde’s — defined as 3 tbsp of oil for every 1 tbsp of vinegar, according to Food & Wine — are relatively calorically dense, a homemade healthy salad dressing puts you in charge of which way this ratio swings. Here are three simple salad dressing recipes that are sure to make your next salad your most delicious — and healthy — yet!212 Lemon Vinaigrette
Getty ImagesLemon adds a bright flavor to any dish, and salad is no exception! While many vinaigrettes are made with vinegar, fresh lemon juice is another delicious acid base for any salad dressing. Plus, it adds a powerful boost of vitamin C, as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) points out. This lemon vinaigrette pairs perfectly with a peppery green such as arugula or any fruit-topped salad. Serves 4 Ingredients
¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)2 tsp Dijon mustard1 small clove garlic, grated½ tsp dried thyme½ tsp kosher salt¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil Directions
In a small bowl, mix the lemon juice, mustard, garlic, thyme, and salt and pepper.Using a small whisk or a fork, slowly whisk in the olive oil. Alternatively, place all the ingredients in a covered jar and shake vigorously. Nutrition per serving (2 tbsp): 97 calories, 10g total fat (1.4g saturated fat), 0g protein, 1g carbohydrates, 0.1g fiber, 0.4g sugar (0g added sugar), 201mg sodium 213 Avocado Oil Balsamic Vinaigrette
Getty ImagesBalsamic vinaigrette is a salad-topping classic. In this zesty version, avocado oil serves as the healthy oil of choice because it is light in flavor but packed with heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, per the USDA. As the Farmers’ Almanac notes, more avocado oil in the diet may lower blood pressure and “bad” LDL cholesterol levels, and may even play a role in decreasing the risk of certain cancers. This salad dressing is delicious atop a classic kale salad or a bowl of greens that contains a small amount of blue cheese. Serves 6 Ingredients
⅓ cup balsamic vinegar2 tsp grainy mustard2 tsp maple syrup or agave½ tsp kosher salt¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper3 tbsp avocado oil Directions
In a small bowl, stir together the vinegar, mustard, maple syrup, and salt and pepper.Using a small whisk or fork, slowly whisk in the avocado oil until the mixture is fully emulsified. Alternatively, place all the ingredients in a covered jar and shake well just before serving. Nutrition per serving (1½ tbsp): 80 calories, 7g total fat (0.8g saturated fat), 0g protein, 4g carbohydrates, 0g fiber, 3.5g sugar (1.3g added sugar), 97mg sodium 214 Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Getty ImagesApple cider vinegar has gained popularity in the past few years, but its health benefits have been well known for centuries. It’s important to note that, while apple cider vinegar may have some health benefits including decreased blood sugar levels, it is not the panacea many tout it as, according to UChicago Medicine. The type of apple cider vinegar you choose also makes a big difference. Opt for a raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar that still contains something called the “mother,” which is a cloudy sediment at the bottom of the bottle. The Cleveland Clinic notes that this type of vinegar may have probiotic and gut health benefits. This vinaigrette is the perfect dressing for a beet salad! Serves 4 Ingredients
¼ cup raw apple cider vinegar2 tsp Dijon mustard1 small clove garlic, grated½ tsp kosher salt¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil Directions
In a small bowl, stir together the vinegar, mustard, garlic, salt and pepper.Slowly whisk in the olive oil until well combined. Alternatively, place all the ingredients in a covered jar and shake well just before use. Nutrition per serving (2 tbsp): 93 calories, 10g total fat (1.4g saturated fat), 0g protein, 0g carbohydrates, 0.1g fiber, 0g sugar (0g added sugar), 200mg sodium Related Galleries
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