Why Extra Virgin Olive Oil Makes The Healthiest Summer Salad Dressings

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Makes The Healthiest Salad Dressing Says Nutritionist

^{Updated 15th May 2023}

Speaking to USA Today,  licensed dietitian nutritionist Abra Pappa, said the healthiest salad dressing can be made with three ingredients, which include a high-quality extra virgin olive oil.

While Ranch dressing is America’s favourite salad dressing, says the USA today article, Pappa recommends opting for a healthier alternative which includes unrefined oils like extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil as the basis for your dressing. It states:

These unrefined oils have favorable monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat profiles, which are considered “healthy” fats.

The report also points out that shelf-stable salad dressings may contain added sugar and stabilizing additives that can be avoided in homemade dressing. 

“There’s a lot of manipulation of food-like ingredients that I don’t think is fair,” Pappa says.

“It sets us up to fail because it’s hitting our taste perception of sugar, salt, fat in a way that becomes almost addictive.”

Abra Pappa

Is Salad Dressing Healthy?

But is salad dressing healthy? Some say its unhealthiness outweighs any health benefits the salad itself could offer. 

This is untrue and a harmful mindset perpetuated by diet culture, Pappa tells USA Today. In fact, the best way to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins in greens like Vitamin K is to pair them with a fat, like an oil-based salad dressing or avocadoes. Salads are a healthy addition to your meal or daily diet, but we won’t eat them if they don’t taste good.

“It’s not delicious to have dry greens,” Pappa says. “We have to think about how we’re going to make food delicious so we could then create a habit around it that’s enjoyable.”

The summer months are with us at last and, for many, this means long hot days and weekends enjoyed outdoors with friends and family.

Winter comfort food has been replaced with an appetite for light, fresh dishes which show off the best of the season’s fruit and vegetable harvest.  It’s at this time of year that the Mediterranean Diet with its emphasis on  fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, beans, nuts, and of course extra virgin olive oil also increases in popularity. What better way to make your summer salads sparkle than with a dash of the best quality extra virgin olive oil you can lay your hands on?

Morocco Gold’s new harvest for 2021 is at its absolute freshest and bursting with more health-giving polyphenols than ever before. 

Salad dressings can be as complex or simple as you want but the addition of a quality extra virgin olive oil is one of the most effective ways you can make your summer dish extra special.

Why Use Extra Virgin Olive Oil in Your Salad Dressing?

Extra Virgin Olive Oil is known to have more of a pronounced flavour compared to other forms of olive oil.  For this reason, it is most often used to flavour salads and dressings, as a base for marinades or simply drizzled on foods like pasta before they are served. The flavour profile of Extra Virgin Olive Oil varies from robust to more subtle and fruity.

The particular characteristics of Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil, with its distinctive green fruitiness, hints of almond and herbs, fresh turf and the peppery aftertaste, gives a vibrant, well balanced finish.

And our customers agree:

Ideas For Extra Virgin Olive Oil Salad Dressing

So,  you’ve invested in a bottle of quality extra virgin olive oil, filled your fridge with fresh produce but what next?  Here are some great ideas for using extra virgin olive oil as a dressing:

Making A Basic Vinaigrette

This is where it all starts and the rules are simple: generally speaking one part of vinegar (this can be anything from cider or balsamic vinegar to red or white wine vinegar) mixed with three parts of oil.  But make it a good extra virgin olive oil.  Morocco Gold extra virgin olive oil doesn’t just provide the taste that your vinaigrette needs to sing, it also gives you the most incredible blend of health-enhancing antioxidants called polyphenols.  Polyphenols help your body to fight off a huge range of diseases including diabetes, cancers and cardiovascular disease.  And our latest harvest of Morocco Gold 2021 has more polyphenols than ever before!

CTA:  Purchase your bottle here

And don’t just take our word for it.  According to The Globe and Mail;

“If you decided to use olive oil for salad dressing, choose extra virgin and virgin olive oil. These are “cold pressed” from olives using minimal heat and no chemicals. As a result they retain the highest amount of phytochemicals and nutrients compared to “pure olive oil”, “olive oil” or “light olive oil”, which have been refined.”

How To Add Variations To Your Basic Vinaigrette

If you want to add your own special touch to the basic vinaigrette, you can add small amounts of any of the below according to taste:

• Dijon mustard for flavour and a creamier texture
• Maple syrup or honey for sweetness
• Fresh Garlic for extra taste
• Salt and pepper

How To Make A Moroccan Salad Dressing With Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Once you have refined your salad dressing taste, it’s time to get creative! At Morocco Gold we are always inspired by the amazing range of Moroccan dishes and tastes.  Here is a great recipe to help you use your Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil the Moroccan way!

Superfood Salad With Moroccan Dressing