I’ve tested many versions of this poppy seed dressing to achieve the perfect balance of flavor, and I’m happy to say I’ve finally perfected it with this recipe!

homemade poppy seed dressing this recipe

Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe

With a five-star rating, this homemade dressing is slightly sweet, creamy without being overly thick, and makes for the perfect complement to salads without being overpowering.

Even better, you only need five ingredients and a few minutes to whisk everything together. Plus, you can easily adjust the ingredients to suit your preferences.

Keep a batch on hand in your fridge, and you’ll find yourself drizzling it over everything.

poppy seed dressing recipe

Poppy Seed Dressing Ingredients

You can pick up a bottle of poppy seed dressing at just about any supermarket these days but have you tried making your own? It is truly the easiest salad dressing to make.

You’ll need the following ingredients for this recipe:

  • Mayonnaise
  • Milk
  • Sweetener of choice – maple syrup, sugar, honey
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Poppy seeds
  • Kosher salt

Poppy seeds are readily available at most supermarkets these days. You can also buy them online from Amazon. Brands such as Simply Organic and McCormick both carry poppy seeds.

ingredients for poppy seed salad dressing

How to Make Poppy Seed Dressing

It’s as simple as adding all of the ingredients into a bowl and whisking until smooth. Keep the dressing stored in a mason jar that way you can easily shake it before serving.

Shaking helps recombine all the ingredients once they’ve settled in the fridge.

poppy seed salad dressing

How to Use Poppy Seed Salad Dressing

I love this dressing on top of green salads with fruit. So anything with berries, avocado, or winter fruit will taste the best. Here are some salads that pair well with poppy seed dressing:

You can also pair it with a fruit salad, which I have yet to try. Or mix it into coleslaw for that sweet and creamy taste.

How to Store Homemade Poppyseed Dressing

This poppy seed salad dressing will last for 3-5 days when stored properly in the fridge in an airtight container or mason jar. When ready to serve, give it a quick stir or shake the jar before serving.

Love creamy dressings? Give these a try:

Poppy Seed Dressing FAQs

What does poppyseed dressing taste like?

Poppyseed dressing is sweet, tangy, and creamy, with a nutty flavor from the poppy seeds. This recipe leans more toward the sweet side, but you can easily adjust the ingredients and amounts to suit your preferences.

Is poppyseed dressing gluten free?

Yes, all the ingredients in this poppy seed dressing recipe are naturally gluten-free. Just be sure to double-check ingredient labels, and look for products that are certified gluten-free to avoid the risk of cross contamination.

You May Also Like…

Italian Dressing Recipe

The Best Cilantro Dressing Recipe

Mango Dressing

Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

If you try our poppyseed dressing, please leave a star rating and a comment letting us know how you liked the recipe.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
homemade poppy seed dressing

Poppyseed Dressing Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review
  • Author: Katya
  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 5 mins
  • Yield: 5 1x
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Mix
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Description

Sweet and savory poppy seed dressing with only 5-ingredients. It’ll become a staple in your fridge.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 3 Tbsp. milk
  • 2 Tbsp. sweetener of choice (see note)
  • 4 tsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tsp. poppy seeds
  • Kosher salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Combine all the ingredients and whisk until smooth.
  2. Store covered in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Makes 2/3 cups of dressing.

Notes

  • Sweetener: I love using maple syrup to add sweetness to this dressing. But you can also use honey or sugar. Just keep in the mind the sweetness of the dressing will slightly vary depending on what you use.
  • Vinegar: Feel free to substitute white vinegar or even white wine vinegar for the apple cider.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
  • Calories: 135
  • Sugar: 6.2 g
  • Sodium: 97.7 mg
  • Fat: 11.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 7.2 g
  • Protein: 0.7 g
  • Cholesterol: 6.3 mg

Recipe originally published in March 2015, updated March 2020 with new photos, rewritten post, and additional information.