A good dressing needs three things: an oil with character, an acid to wake it up, and thirty seconds with a jam jar. These five recipes are built around cold pressed oils — each one takes a different oil in a different direction, from an everyday vinaigrette to a peppery tahini number for grain bowls. Every recipe makes enough for a large salad for four; scale up and keep the ratio.

Not sure which oil to reach for in the first place? Our guide to the best oils for salad dressings compares them side by side — this piece is about turning them into finished dressings.

The only ratio you need

Three parts oil to one part acid. Whisk, or better, shake everything in a jar with a pinch of salt until it emulsifies. Taste on a leaf, not a spoon — dressing should be slightly too punchy on its own, because the salad dilutes it.

1. Everyday grapeseed vinaigrette

The house dressing: clean, light and endlessly repeatable. Grapeseed oil's neutral character lets the mustard and vinegar do the talking.

• 3 tbsp cold pressed grapeseed oil
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp honey
• Pinch of salt, good grind of pepper

Method: shake in a jar until glossy. Works with: everything — leaves, tomatoes, lunchbox pasta salads.

2. Styrian-style pumpkin seed dressing

In southern Austria they pour dark green pumpkin seed oil over everything, and once you try this you'll see why: deeply nutty, almost roasted.

• 2 tbsp cold pressed pumpkin seed oil
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• ½ tsp maple syrup or honey
• Pinch of salt

Method: whisk with a fork — the dressing stays loose and dark. Works with: warm potato salad, roasted squash, soft-boiled eggs on leaves, and a few toasted pumpkin seeds on top.

3. Walnut, honey & sherry vinegar

The bistro classic. Walnut oil's toasted richness stands up to bitter leaves like no other oil.

• 3 tbsp cold pressed walnut oil
• 1 tbsp sherry vinegar (red wine vinegar works)
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 small shallot, finely chopped
• Salt and pepper

Method: let the shallot sit in the vinegar for five minutes to mellow, then shake with everything else. Works with: chicory, radicchio or rocket with goat's cheese, pear and walnuts.

4. Camelina green dressing

A fresher, herb-packed number. Camelina oil's mild, asparagus-like nuttiness loves lemon and soft herbs.

• 3 tbsp cold pressed camelina oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp thick yoghurt
• A small handful of soft herbs (parsley, dill, chives)
• ¼ garlic clove, salt

Method: blitz everything briefly, or chop the herbs fine and shake. Works with: grain bowls, roasted vegetables, new potatoes, or as a dip for flatbread.

5. Peppery black seed tahini dressing

The wild card. A little black seed oil gives a creamy tahini dressing a warm, peppery edge that transforms a plain grain bowl.

• 1 tbsp tahini
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp cold water (more to loosen)
• 2 tbsp grapeseed or high-oleic sunflower oil
• ½ tsp cold pressed black seed oil
• ¼ garlic clove, grated; salt

Method: whisk the tahini, lemon and water until smooth (it will seize, then relax), then whisk in the oils and garlic. Works with: roasted cauliflower, chickpea and grain bowls, shredded cabbage slaws.

Three tips that improve every dressing

• Salt dissolves in acid, not oil — stir it into the vinegar or lemon first.
• Make ahead: jar dressings keep 3–4 days in the fridge (the yoghurt one, 2 days). Cold pressed oils may thicken when chilled — ten minutes on the counter and a shake brings them back.
• Dress at the last minute, with less than you think — you can always add.

Frequently asked questions

What's the basic salad dressing ratio?
Three parts oil to one part acid, plus salt. Adjust sweeter or sharper from there.

Which cold pressed oil is best for dressings?
Grapeseed for a neutral base; walnut, pumpkin seed and camelina when you want the oil to be the star.

How long does homemade dressing keep?
3–4 days in a sealed jar in the fridge — 2 days if it contains yoghurt, garlic or fresh herbs.

Want to understand why cold pressed oils taste so different from supermarket blends? Start with our cold pressed oil guide.