You’ve got to try this lightened up but still totally creamy poppy seed dressing. It’s sweet and tangy and oh so creamy. Our Salad Dressing topic is brought to you by Stonyfield Organic.
The other day I told you all about the homemade Caesar salad dressing that my parents’ restaurants were famous for.
Well, I think my mom just has a real knack for salad dressings since she was almost as famous for her spinach salad dressing. That one was creamy, bacon-y, sweet, tangy and served warm over baby spinach leaves. Seriously, so good.
I can’t give you that specific recipe because it’s a family secret. I think they’d disown me. But I can give you this riff on it!

Ingredients
This lemon poppy seed salad dressing is creamy and sweet and tangy. In addition to the poppyseeds and lemon, it’s got some sugar to balance everything. Plus, salt and pepper, of course.
While my mom’s original spinach salad dressing was completely mayonnaise-based, I lightened this version up a bit by taking some of the mayo out and replacing it with Greek yogurt. You honestly can’t even tell. I love using Greek yogurt in my homemade dressings, like in this Blue Cheese dressing recipe.
Using Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing
I love to use this salad dressing on a simple salad of dark greens and fruit, like grapes as shown below. Or use it on a Strawberry Spinach Salad or even just to dip raw veggies in.

Once you start making your own homemade dressings and realize how easy it is, you’re bound to want more. Check out all our salad dressing recipes here.
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Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe
You’ve got to try this lightened up but still totally creamy poppy seed dressing. It’s sweet and tangy and perfect on salads of greens and fruit.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 and 1/3 cup 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 Tbsp. hot tap water
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 3 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp. canola or grape seed oil
- 1 Tbsp. poppy seeds
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/8 tsp. pepper
Instructions
- Dissolve sugar in hot water. Let cool.
- Stir in yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, oil, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper.
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This post originally appeared in March 2016 and was revised and republished in January 2023.

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