Pantry Recipes With Substitutions
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A round up with over 80 pantry recipes using ingredients found in most kitchens. We also included substitution ideas and suggestions for most of the recipes!
For today’s post, I decided to do something a little different. Instead of sharing 1 recipe, I chose to do a recipe round-up.
Listed below are over 80 different recipes, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Instant Pot, just to name a few.
Now, not every recipe can have ingredient substitutions, With that being said, I did my best to provide ingredient swaps wherever possible.
We hope you enjoy this list and invite you to share it with family and friends. Hopefully, you’ll find a quick dish for your next meal. 🙂
Breakfast Recipes:
Here’s some of our favorite breakfast recipes. Some are simple, while other will take a little time. But, those dishes are worth the effort!
1
Cinnamon French Toast
This Easy Cinnamon French Toast recipe is miles above the rest. It's loaded with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, and topped with maple syrup.
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Homemade Sausage Gravy
Looking for an easy sausage gravy recipe? Then look no further, because this gravy only uses five ingredients and comes together in less than 30 minutes!If you can't find sausage, try using bacon instead. Cook the bacon, chop it, and put it back in the pan. The bacon fat, in the pan, will create a delicious gravy!
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Greek Yogurt Berry Smoothie
Check out this delicious berry smoothie using strawberry flavored Dannon® Oikos® Traditional Greek Yogurt. A simple, tasty start to your day!Greek yogurt isn't the only yogurt you can use. In fact, plain unflavored yogurt will work in this smoothie recipe.
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Breakfast Burritos
A hearty and filling make ahead breakfast burrito recipe with bacon, eggs, potatoes, and cheese wrapped in a warm tortilla.
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Banana Oat Pancakes
These banana oat pancakes are the ultimate combination of ingredients. It's a homemade recipe that's surprisingly simple but amazingly delicious!
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Lunch Recipes
Homemade Crab Cakes
Inspired by our time in Florida, this homemade crab cake recipe features yummy crab, crunchy peppers and onions, and special blend of seafood seasonings! Any variety of pre-cooked fish will work for in our homemade crab cakes.
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Angel Hair Pasta
In about 20 minutes you can create a simple angel hair pasta recipe with endless possibilities. Delicious as-is or add meat and veggies for a filling dish!
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Greek Pasta Salad
A delicious ham and beans recipe that's as simple as the name implies. Pinto beans simmered in a flavorful broth to create a dish that everyone will love!Where I come from, this is survival food, plain and simple. Beef or chicken can be used in place of the ham.Garlic and onion powders can be used in place of the fresh ingredients. For the onions, use 1-tablespoon of onion powder and for the garlic use 2-teaspoons of garlic powder.Additionally, this recipe can be done on the stove or in a crockpot or slow cooker.
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Chicken Pesto Pasta
Need a quick dinner idea that's delicious and filling? Then try our chicken pesto pasta! Seasoned chicken tossed with pesto sauce, onions, and tomatoes.Pesto is a versatile sauce to begin with. As long as you can get your hands on basil, olive oil, and pine nuts, you're good to go.The sauce can be poured over any type of pasta or used at a dipping sauce or topping for toasted breads.
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Cold Pasta Salad with Vegetables
A fresh and easy cold pasta salad with vegetables made using just a few simple ingredients, including frozen vegetables and creamy homemade ranch dressing.Frozen vegetables of any kind can be used in this pasta salad.Dress it with any kind of cream based dressing you like.
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Sweet Potato Fries
Baked Sweet Potato Fries make a quick side dish or snack. Whether you like them salty, sweet, or spicy, sweet potato fries couldn't be easier.It doesn't get much easier than this recipe. Baked sweet potato fries with any kind of savory spice mix.
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Homemade Fruit Salad
A delightful and sweet homemade fruit salad recipe featuring all of your favorite fruits, like strawberries and blueberries tossed in a simple lemon syrup.Fresh fruit can be tricky to find, depending upon the season. Substitute any sort of fresh fruit you have available.
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Oven Baked Ranch Chicken
Tender and juicy oven baked ranch chicken that's done in less than an hour. Use it on salads, sandwiches, or as a main course with any side dish you love!Chicken is the perfect blank slate. Just about any blend of seasonings you like will work on chicken breast.
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Snacks and Side Dishes
Crunchy Dill Pickle Dip
A creamy, crunchy dill pickle dip made with four ingredients that's ready in minutes! Serve it with pretzel chips, veggies, or anything you desire.Dill relish can be used in place of the pickles and dried dill in place of the fresh dill.
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Homemade Granola Bars
Making homemade granola bars has never been easier! All it takes is a little know-how and some old fashioned oats and goodies to create a snack you'll love.Chocolate chips aren't necessary for this recipe. Maple syrup can be used in place of the honey.
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Homemade Yeast Rolls
Our homemade yeast rolls are just like the one's Grandma used to make. Warm, tender dinner rolls topped with melted butter. Serve them as-is or with honey!When it comes to bread recipes, I don't recommend substitutions. However, if you're having trouble finding canned or deli rolls, this recipe is perfect.
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Oven Baked Ranch Potatoes
Looking for a simple side dish for tonight's dinner? Then try our 4-ingredient oven baked ranch potatoes. Golden potatoes seasoned with a blend of spices!Again, seasoning mixes can always be swapped out. Looking for a spicier potato dish, try using 1-2 tablespoons of fajita or taco seasoning in place of the ranch seasoning
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Sauteed Brussels Sprouts Recipe
Sauteed Brussels sprouts with shallots is a simple recipe that transforms a few ingredients into an offering sure to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.There are only 5 ingredients in this recipe, so substitutions are limited. With that being said, frozen and thawed sprouts will work and feel free to use white onion or shallots in place of the red onion.
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Smashed Potatoes
Our smashed red potatoes with rosemary garlic butter are full of flavor. Melted butter mixed with aromatic garlic is a combination that can't be beat!Rosemary garlic butter can swapped out with any flavor of butter you have on hand. For example, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder work well with any type of potato.Speaking of potatoes, red potatoes aren't the only option. Any fingerling sized potato will work.
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Corn and Black Bean Salsa
A flavorful corn and black bean salsa made with fresh ingredients including cilantro, jalapenos, queso fresco, red onion, and tomatoes.Queso fresco isn't needed to create this dish. Even if you omit it, you'll still have a tasty salsa for tortilla chips.
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Easy Coleslaw
A traditional creamy coleslaw recipe that comes together in less than five minutes. You won't believe how easy it is to create this sweet, homemade slaw!I've noticed it's been difficult to find salad and cole slaw mixes. Having a homemade slaw and dressing can be handy right about now.
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Appetizer Recipes:
The list below contains a few simple appetizers that you can make with commonly found ingredients in most kitchens.
While there may not be many substitutions; hopefully, you won’t need them!
Ham Flatbread
Our ham flatbread recipe combines the flavors of cured ham, sweet colorful peppers, creamy ranch dressing and rich mozzarella cheese.Ham lunch meat can be used in place of the diced or shredded ham.
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Creamy Buffalo Cheese Spread
A creamy buffalo cheese spread made with cream cheese, hot sauce, and sour cream. It's the perfect spicy spread for crackers and vegetables.Not only is this dip delicious, it also teaches you how to make your own Buffalo sauce.
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Oven Baked Loaded Potato Nachos
Don't be caught off-guard for your next game day party. Bring along our oven baked loaded potato nachos piled high with melted cheese and a whole lot more!Tortilla chips might not handy right now. Circular cut potatoes make a great substitution for nachos. Think of them as taco cheese fries!
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Copycat Cheddar Bay Biscuits
A simple garlic biscuits recipe that lets you make cheesy garlic biscuits using pancake mix or baking mix and topped off with homemade garlic butter sauce!Some of our favorite restaurants are closed right now. Use this as an opportunity to learn how to make your favorite dishes.Don't want to use a baking mix, we have a solution below in the sauces and condiments section of this post.
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Baked Chicken Taquitos
Baked chicken taquitos make the perfect appetizer for your next Fiesta Friday dinner. Try them with fresh toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and guacamole!Flour tortillas can be used in place of corn tortillas.Any type of meat can be used in place of the chicken. As long as it's precooked, you're good to go!
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Cocktails:
When it comes to cocktails, I don’t recommend using substitutions. Because, most drinks have been perfectly measured to create a specific flavor.
Using ingredient substitutions in these drinks will result in a completely different end product.
The only reason I’m including them is because they use very few ingredients that are easily found in most wet bars.
Lemon Drop Martini
Craving a sweet and sour cocktail with just the right amount of kick? Then check out our lemon drop martini! A simple 3 ingredient drink anyone can make.
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Whiskey Sour
This whiskey sour recipe is our version of the classic cocktail. Whiskey mixed with fresh lemon juice and simple syrup is a combination you're sure to love!
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Cuba Libre
Our Cuba libre drink recipe is a South Florida favorite. A simple cocktail made with minimal ingredients that's perfect for sipping on warm, rainy day.
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Vodka Cranberry Cocktail
A simple vodka cranberry cocktail perfectly balanced to quench your thirst for a sweet, yet tart beverage. Vodka blended with a simple syrup, cranberry juice and a touch of lime is all you need.
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Gold Rush Cocktail
This is a simple gold rush cocktail made with smooth bourbon, local honey, and fresh squeezed lemon juice. The perfect sipping drink after a long day.
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Lemonade Tequila
Our lemonade tequila drink is a cool and refreshing drink combined with tequila to create a grown-up version of everyone's favorite Summer beverage.
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Main Dish Recipes:
It’s time to move on to main dishes. The list below contains some of the easiest recipes you’ll find on our website.
Easy Meatloaf Recipe with Breadcrumbs
Try our easy meatloaf recipe with breadcrumbs, peppers, and onions. Nothing beats a homemade meatloaf loaded with spices and topped with ketchup.Crumbled saltine crackers can be used in place of the breadcrumbs. My Dad did that growing up.Ketchup isn't needed, canned tomato sauce makes a great substitution.
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Easy Lasagna
An easy lasagna recipe using oven ready noodles and a tried and true method of layering delicious ingredients like marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese!Ricotta and cheddar cheeses can be used in place of the cottage and mozzarella cheeses.
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Spicy Chicken Pasta
Our spicy chicken pasta recipe features seasoned grilled chicken breast sitting on top of a bed of pasta that's been tossed in a creamy chipotle sauce.Instead of using butter, flour, and half and half to make the sauce, use a 16 ounce jar of alfredo sauce. Heat it over medium heat and add taco seasoning to taste. Once it's hot, toss it with the cooked chicken and pasta.
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Easy Baked Salmon
The perfect easy baked salmon recipe your whole family will love. Using only 4 ingredients, you can create this delicious main dish in 15 minutes or less!This recipe already has tips for using fresh or frozen salmon.
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Easy Marinara Sauce
Basil, garlic, and tomatoes blended with olive oil are the main ingredients in this easy marinara sauce recipe that almost anyone can prepare.Talk about substitutions, here's a recipe that's the perfect solution for pasta night. It can be made on the stove or in a slow cooker or crockpot.
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Three Bean Chili
This three bean chili recipe is the perfect, no-fuss meal on a cold winter day. It's warm, hearty, filling, and so simple to prepare.Got a bunch of canned beans but don't know what to do with them. Well, this recipe is for you!
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Pasta with Lemon Cream Sauce
The easiest homemade lemon cream sauce tossed with pasta you will ever find. The sauce itself is infused with lemon juice, heavy cream, and minced garlic.Due to the natural chemical reactions, combining citrus juices with heavy cream can create a flavorful pasta sauce. Lemons, limes, and even oranges can be used to make a cream sauce.
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Flat Iron Steak
A quick, delicious flat iron steak recipe made with a custom blend of seasonings, seared to perfection in a flat iron skillet. It makes for an excellent weeknight dinner option.Want to know how to properly cook a steak on the stove-top? Use any type of seasoning blend you like for this recipe.
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Bacon Grilled Cheese
A grilled cheese margarita sandwich with perfectly toasted sourdough and all the flavors of the famous pizza including basil, mozzarella, and tomatoes. Sometimes, you have to get creative with dinner. Here's an example of how to make an Italian-themed grilled cheese sandwich.
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Chef Salad
Our copycat classic diner chef salad is a throwback to that perfect entree you just can't seem to find anymore. It's loaded with cheese, ham, and bacon!The chef's salad, the ultimate salad. See a vegetable you don't like, leave it off. Want to add something to it, go ahead. Rinsed and drained, canned corn adds a touch sweetness to this hearty dinner salad.
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Instant Pot Recipes:
We didn’t forget our pressure cooker readers. Listed below are some simple options for everyone’s favorite kitchen appliance.
Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
This Instant Pot spaghetti and meatballs recipe is a one pot meal that's done in less than 20 minutes. It's a weeknight dinner your whole family will love!Precooked Italian sausage can be sliced and used in place of the frozen meatballs.
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Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta
Our favorite creamy tomato pasta prepared in a pressure cooker in less than 20 minutes. A simple weeknight dinner that's sure to please the whole family!This is one of our most popular recipes on the site. It only uses a few common pantry ingredients and people have added chicken and meatballs to the dish (see the comments section on the post).
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One Minute Pressure Cooker Rice and Vegetables
Another quick and easy pressure cooker rice recipe combined with steamed vegetables to create a one pot dish you're whole family will enjoy.A lot of people I know keep minute rice and frozen vegetables on hand. So, why not combine them in your Instant Pot?
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Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff
This Easy Beef Stroganoff Recipe is a warm and hearty dish filled with tender pieces of steak covered in a creamy, mushroom gravy layered over a bed of egg noodles. Use the Instant Pot for a quick version of beef stroganoff that takes less time than cooking it on the stove top. Beef stroganoff can use any sort of beef you have available. From ground beef to stew meat, you can use it in this recipe.
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Dessert Recipes:
Who’s ready for for some sweet treats? I know I am. Nothing completes a simple meal like a dessert. Here’s a few suggestions for your next after dinner treat.
Fresh Strawberry Pie
Our fresh strawberry pie recipe features slightly sweetened, plump strawberries topped with whipped cream. Strawberry season can't get here fast enough!Pies can have all kinds of fillings, canned, fresh or frozen. Frozen or thawed strawberries, blueberries, or blackberries can be used in this pie.
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Easy Baked Apples
Our easy baked apples recipe is a simple dessert inspired by Fall flavors. Honey crisp apples seasoned with cinnamon and topped with brown sugar and walnuts.Lately, I've heard some people are having a hard time finding flour. Here's a simple dessert that doesn't use any flour.
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Strawberry Blueberry Granola Parfait
Strawberry blueberry fruit parfaits with layers of fresh fruit, granola, and whipped cream. It's the perfect dessert for all those Summer berries!Sure, strawberries and blueberries are the perfect fit for these parfaits. But, you can sub them out for pineapples and mango or apples and sliced bananas.
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Shamrock Shake
Everyone's favorite mint flavored milkshake. It only takes a few ingredients to create our sweet and decadent copycat shamrock shake recipe!Remember how I mentioned it might be tough to enjoy your favorite restaurant treats? Well, here's a great substitute for that fast food favorite.
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Homemade Condiments and Substitutes:
This category is purely intended to replace processed sauces and condiments. So, we won’t be providing ingredient substitutions for the recipes found below.
Homemade Bisquick Mix
All out of Bisquick? Then try our homemade bisquick mix! From biscuits to pancakes, this is the perfect substitution for your favorite baking mix.
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Cream of Chicken Soup Substitute
This cream of chicken soup substitute is quick, easy, and a great way to add flavor and depth to casseroles. A good way to replace canned condensed soup.
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Cream of Onion Soup Substitute
Tired of using salty condensed soups in your casseroles? Then use our homemade cream of onion soup instead and add as little or as much salt as you want!
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Cream of Celery Soup Substitute
Cream of celery soup substitute is an easy way to add flavor to any casserole. This recipe cooks up quickly, so you can swap out in place of canned, condensed cream of celery soup in minutes.
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Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix
Enjoy all the flavors of ranch dressing anytime you want with our homemade ranch dressing mix. Made in less than 5 minutes and lasts up to 3 months!
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Simple Syrup for Drinks
Looking for the perfect way to add flavor to your drinks? Then try our simple syrup, it's a great way to add a touch of sweetness to any beverage.
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Homemade Fajita Seasoning
Create your own unique homemade fajita seasoning mix using our recipe. Keep it in your cabinet for months and use as little or as much as you like!
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Homemade Taco Seasoning
This homemade taco seasoning is a savory blend of spices featuring all your Tex-Mex favorites like chili powder, garlic and onion powders, and many more!
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Apple Pie Spice
Homemade apple pie spice is a simple way to add loads of flavor to pies, cobblers, and other desserts. It's fragrant, versatile, and easy to make.
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Pumpkin Pie Spice
Pumpkin Pie Spice is an earthy spice combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and cloves. Add it to breads, pies, and cookies for an instant flavor of autumn.
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Homemade Croutons
Want to make your own croutons this holiday season? Then try our buttery homemade croutons recipe. Crunchy toasted bread flavored with butter and spices!
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Lemon Dill Sauce
An incredibly easy dill sauce with so many uses. Try it on fish, chicken, or as a condiment on your favorite sandwich. You can't go wrong with a tangy sauce!
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Fish Taco Sauce
Our easy fish taco sauce recipe is quick, easy, and the perfect way to add a little, creamy, tangy kick to fish tacos or sandwiches. It makes a wonderful fry sauce as well.
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Homemade Tartar Sauce
Nothing goes better with fish and chips than a great dipping sauce. Try our homemade tartar sauce, it's tangy, tart and ready in five minutes or less!
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Butter Pie Crust
A quick and easy homemade pie crust using only four ingredients. It's buttery, flaky, and so simple to prepare. The recipe creates two 9-inch pie crusts.
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Strawberry Jam
Our Sunday morning strawberry jam is homemade, lightly sweetened, and packed with strawberries. Top your biscuits or pancakes with this easy homemade treat!
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Strawberry Sauce
A simple four ingredient strawberry sauce that's the perfect topping for angel food cakes, crepes, ice creams, or any other sweet treat!
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Homemade Whipped Cream
Homemade whipped cream is light, airy, and easy to make. It only takes three ingredients and five minutes to create the perfect topping for drinks and pies!
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Salad Dressings and Vinaigrettes:
These are technically condiments, I know. However, we have a quite a few offerings, so I thought I’d give them a separate category.
Greek Salad Dressing
Looking for a tasty Greek salad dressing recipe? Then try our vinaigrette made with fresh ingredients. It's savory, tangy, and done in five minutes or less!
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Asian Salad Dressing
Toasted sesame oil and honey, combined with a few other ingredients to create an Asian salad dressing that's perfect for salads, slaws, and dipping sauces!
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Poppy Seed Dressing
A simple poppy seed dressing recipe that only uses a couple of ingredients. Take your salad dressing game to the next level with this recipe!
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Italian Dressing
Have you ever wanted to make your own salad dressing? If so, try our homemade Italian dressing recipe. All the flavor you want without the extra additives.
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Caesar Dressing
Homemade Caesar Dressing – creamy, garlicky, with Parmesan cheese in every bite. This dressing is SO EASY to make and only takes 10 minutes!
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Spicy Ranch Dressing
This Spicy Ranch Dressing has hints of cayenne, dill, and garlic coupled with the creaminess of buttermilk. It's simple to make and is perfect with everything.
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