Home > Meal Type > Sauces/Condiments > Salad Dressings

Healthy Poppyseed Dressing

Name: Poppyseed Dressing
Prep time: 10 min
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

By Brittany Mullins

Updated on Oct 20, 2021

Jump to Recipe

GF VG

This healthy poppyseed 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 (as with most store-bought dressings) packaged 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!

Glass jar and spoon with poppyseed dressing.

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.

Ingredients like oil, maple syrup, salt, greek yogurt and poppyseeds measured in little bowls.

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.

Bowl with creamy dressing and poppyseeds before being whisked together.

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.

Bowl of poppyseed dressing with a whisk.

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

Poppyseed Dressing

4 from 4 votes

This healthy poppyseed dressing is made with Greek yogurt, maple syrup, avocado oil and apple cider vinegar for a lightened-up twist on the classic.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes

Servings /4 cup

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.