Supercharge your salads with these chia seed dressings
What's the story
Chia seeds are one of the most versatile ingredients that can amp up the nutritional quotient of several dishes, including salad dressings.
Known for their high fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, chia seeds can make your salads a whole lot better in terms of texture and health benefits.
Here are some unique salad dressing recipes that use chia seeds to give your everyday greens a nutritious twist.
Zesty mix
Lemon chia vinaigrette
Lemon chia vinaigrette marries the tangy taste of lemon with the delicate crunch of chia seeds.
For this dressing, combine fresh lemon juice with olive oil, honey, and a tablespoon of chia seeds. Let it sit for ten minutes so the seeds absorb some liquid and swell a little.
This dressing goes well with mixed greens or spinach salads.
Smooth blend
Creamy avocado chia dressing
For a creamy option, try avocado chia dressing.
Simply blend ripe avocado with Greek yogurt, lime juice, cilantro, and a teaspoon of chia seeds until smooth.
The creamy texture goes well with hearty salads that have ingredients such as kale or quinoa.
Plus, the addition of chia seeds not only thickens the dressing but also boosts its nutritional profile.
Sweet tang
Honey mustard chia dressing
Honey mustard chia dressing provides a sweet yet tangy taste ideal for different salads.
Mix together Dijon mustard with honey, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and two teaspoons of chia seeds.
Allow it to rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors come together and the chia seeds expand just a little.
Rich flavor
Balsamic chia reduction
A chia-boosted balsamic reduction is perfect for those who love rich flavors in their salad dressings.
Simmer balsamic vinegar until it reduces by half its volume, then stir in one tablespoon of honey along with one teaspoon each of minced garlic and ground black pepper
before adding two tablespoons worth (or more, depending on preference) of soaked-up water-swollen chias into the mixture before cooling down completely.