Healthy Poppy Seed Dressing
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Last updated on Apr 10, 2025
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This healthy poppy seed dressing is made with Greek yogurt, maple syrup, avocado oil and apple cider vinegar for a lightened-up twist on the classic.
No matter what restaurant or salad bar you’re at, you’ll likely see a poppyseed dressing. It seems to be a staple dressing that most of you probably grew up on!
It’s light and creamy with a hint of sweetness so I understand why it’s a fan favorite! The thing is store-bought poppyseed dressing isn’t the healthiest option.
So! I came up with a version we can all feel good about and the end result is delicious!
Healthier Poppyseed Dressing
If you’ve ever looked at the label for store-bought poppyseed dressing, you’ll know that most brands include a ton of added sugar, cheap oil(s) like canola or vegetable oil and loads of preservatives to make it shelf-stable.
My version is made with minimal, whole-food ingredients!
It’s light, while still being creamy and is made with a base of Greek yogurt so you get a boost of added protein!
Other than the poppy seeds (which you may need to add to your shopping list), you likely have the rest of the ingredients in your pantry and fridge so this is the perfect recipe to keep on hand!
Ingredients in Poppyseed Dressing
- plain Greek yogurt – I recommend full fat Greek yogurt, but you can use low-fat or non-fat if needed. You can also use dairy-free yogurt to make this dairy-free and vegan.
- maple syrup – we’re adding just a touch of maple syrup for a hint of sweetness!
- apple cider vinegar – apple cider vinegar has a ton of health benefits and is included in a lot of my favorite salad dressings.
- avocado oil – I prefer the mild flavor of avocado oil in this but you could also use olive oil.
- poppy seeds – these little guys are obviously a key ingredient for this dressing.
- sea salt – another staple for making a tasty salad dressing.
How to Make Poppyseed Dressing
Ready for the simplest instructions ever?
Simply whisk all the ingredients in a bowl until the dressing is combined and smooth. If you want to take a shortcut or want to make sure the dressing is extra creamy, mix it in a blender.
Storage Tips
This dressing keeps great! After mixing the dressing, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. I love using a mason jar for storing my dressings.
If any separation occurs during storage, simply whisk or blend for a few seconds before serving.
What is Poppyseed Dressing Good On?
The tangy, sweet flavor of poppyseed dressing pairs well with a variety of salads, but you’ll often see it served with spinach salad or fruit-based salads like citrus salad and strawberry salad. It’d also be really tasty on my fuji apple salad.
It’s a unique option for coleslaw and makes for a tasty fruit salad. It also works wonders as a chicken marinade for grilled chicken.
More Homemade Dressing Recipes to Try
- Tahini Dressing
- Peanut Dressing
- Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing
- White Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
- Greek Salad Dressing
- Healthy Caesar Dressing
- Creamy Southwest Dressing
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Poppy Seed Dressing
Ingredients
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt, I used full-fat
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tablespoon avocado or olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 teaspoon poppy seeds
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Whisk: Make dressing by whisking together all ingredients in a small bowl.
- Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. If any separation occurs during storage, simply whisk or blend for a few seconds before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
1 tbsp of maple syrup is more than enough. feel like it is still missing something.
Hi Christy – If you like your dressings a bit more tangy, you could add more ACV. What type of greek yogurt are you using?
So delicious! Perfect dressing for a summer salad.
YUM! I am so glad you’re loving this dressing, Emily. Thank you for your review & star rating, I really appreciate it!
Looking forward to trying this! Would chia seeds work as a replacement for poppy seeds??
Hi, Debz. It might change the consistency of the dressing, as chia seeds soak up liquids. But a quick google search says that chia seeds are a great swap for poppy seeds so I don’t see the harm in trying!
The nutritional information is based on what serving size? 1 Tablespoon?
Hi, Tam! It’s for 2 Tablespoons. Thanks for bringing that to my attention! I’ll update the recipe card so it’s more clear.
Simple and delicious even all the kids loved this dressing.
Woo! So glad this dressing was a hit with your kiddos! I call that a win. 🙂