This Is How Much Dressing You Need Per Salad Serving

To figure out how much dressing you need per salad serving, you first have to know how much salad to serve. Americans eat a lot more salad than you'd think, which makes getting either number right a little tricky. Flip over almost any bag of salad mix and you'll see it: one serving equals 2 cups (85 grams). (Other salad greens products might suggest upwards of 3 cups per serving.) Turn over a bottle of dressing and you'll find a similar guideline — 2 tablespoons (30 grams) per serving. 

Those serving sizes aren't based on any official dietary guideline. They actually come from data collected through the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a long-running federal study the FDA uses to track how much of different foods Americans typically eat. You'll see this serving of dressing recommended by other credible sources online, but if you're thinking what I'm thinking; two tablespoons (roughly the size of a ping pong ball) just isn't enough.

If I've noticed anything from serving about 2 cups of salad per guest — whether at a gathering or just dinner with my family — it's that most people prefer a little salad with their dressing. Let's be real: Uncle Ed (or any guest) isn't sitting at the kitchen table with a food scale or measuring spoons. He's not even trying to eyeball exactly two tablespoons of chunky blue cheese on his bowl of salad. And who would? Especially since, by weight, two tablespoons barely coats the surface of a few lettuce leaves — particularly with thicker, creamier dressings.

For thicker, creamier dressings definitely double-up, assuming that each guest will likely serve themselves more than two tablespoons. As for serving lower-viscosity dressings like vinaigrettes (by the way, avoid store-bought vinaigrette's and make you're own at home instead) or simply oil and vinegar, a little goes a long way, so two tablespoons may be plenty. However, just in case guests want more these lighter options too, plan for at least an extra tablespoon per person. Keep in mind, the type of salad greens you're serving should helps determine the right kind of salad dressing and amount needed.

It's also important to consider what your serving setup looks like. If you'll be serving guests in courses, this makes estimating how much dressing to use a lot easier since you'll be mixing in the dressing right before serving or giving each guest their own side of dressing. But if it's a serve-yourself, assembly-line-style setup, avoid keeping dressings in their packaged bottles or putting them in dressing boats. Both tend to pour fast, resulting in the guest getting more dressing than they wanted. Instead, use a serving spoon that holds about two tablespoons of dressing. This lets guests easily drizzle dressing over their salad and decide if they want another spoonful — which is perfectly fine because you planned for that.