Herby Low Histamine Salad Dressing Recipe | Fact vs Fitness (2024)

Looking for a delicious low histamine salad dressing recipe?

Let's face it, most salad dressing recipes, even if they're homemade, contain ingredients that are pretty unfriendly to those with histamine intolerance. (Enter: vinegar).

And, if you're living an already busy life, like most of us are, the stabilizers, preservatives and colorants in store-bought salad dressing is a complete no-no if you want to remain as a functioning human being.

Thankfully, I've created a low histamine salad dressing recipe that's easy to make and will let you enjoy your raw veggies, once again! Oh, and PS - if you're not into the raw veggies, or, are looking for an irresistible twist on a low histamine salad recipe, try out my warm roasted low histamine salad recipe.

Now, let me share with you why I chose the ingredients and how they will benefit your histamine intolerance symptoms!

As always, these ingredients weren't chosen at random. There's real science to back this stuff. Because, there's no guess work on my end when it comes to you and your symptoms.

Let's check out the evidence in support of each ingredient:

Olive oil: Most oils and fats are naturally low-histamine, however, extra virgin olive oil is an excellent option for this recipe, specifically because it has a low smoke point, meaning that if heated for cooking purposes, it will go rancid, making it the perfect oil for salads. Additionally, let's not forget that our good friend EVOO has shown to naturally boost diamine oxidase, a histamine degrading enzyme, by up to 500%!

Apple cider vinegar: Although vinegars are high-histamine and definitely a “no-no”, apple cider vinegar (ACV) is usually tolerated by most with histamine intolerance, simply because of its healthy gut-promoting properties, such as probiotics and enzymes. ACV has been shown to be extremely healing, anti-inflammatory, an aid in weight-loss, and actually a preventative for seasonal allergies, as it may boost immunity.

A universal vinegar alternative (for the ACV intolerant): In some cases, if ACV is not tolerated, ascorbic acid and water is an excellent alternative for any vinegar, in any recipe. As suggested by Paleo Leap, using a ratio of 12:1 water:ascorbic acid powder is ideal.

Maple syrup/raw honey: While sweeteners are not promoted on low-histamine or gut-healing regimes, maple syrup and raw, local honey are two of the most accepted, simply because they are the best tolerated. Raw, local honey has actually been shown to reduce the symptoms of hay fever and histamine allergies.

Himalayan salt: The unprocessed, Himalayan salt I use in this low histamine salad dressing recipe is - of course - low in histamine and actually beneficial for the body. Unprocessed, free of colorants and providing a healthy dose of sodium (which, most people seem to be afraid of in the same way we think fatty foods are the devil). Sodium is one of the most necessary elements for our body to function - and, in combination with potassium, it allows for functioning of our sodium-potassium pumps which are essential to mammalian life. Basically, what I'm saying is, don't be afraid of salt - as I repeatedly mention, everything in moderation is the key to a healthy body and happy life.

Garlic & onion (keep it fresh!): Fresh is best when it comes to seasonings on a low-histamine regime, so keeping fresh herbs and spices in this recipe, including fresh garlic and onion (instead of garlic and onion powder) will give the best result. Onion also contains inulin, a prebiotic that has shown to balance gut bacteria and hormones while promoting weight regulation (for the over and underweight).

Herbs (get creative!): Lastly, fresh herbs, such as thyme, have antihistamine properties, which make them the perfect addition to recipes like this. Get creative and toss in your fav herbs and spices. If you want to know exactly which herbs and spices are great for histamine intolerance (and, which to avoid), check out my histamine intolerance food list!

Let me know how you enjoyed this recipe and what creative combo of herbs and spices you used. Comment below!

Want more low histamine recipes like this? Check out my nutritionist-approved Low Histamine Cookbook with 110 delicious histamine intolerance recipes!

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5. Stockinger, B., Meglio, P., Gialitakis, M. and Duarte, J. (2014). The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor: Multitasking in the Immune System. Annual Review of Immunology, 32(1), pp.403-432.