3 No-Cook Summer Dips and Dressings That Never Separate
Summer entertaining has one sneaky villain: the dish that looks perfect on the counter and falls apart the second it hits the table. The salad dressing that splits into an oily puddle. The fruit dip that goes soupy in the heat. I have served all of them, and it stings a little every time.
So this week I am sharing three no-cook recipes that hold their own through the hottest, busiest weeks of summer. Two dips and a dressing, all cold, all done in about five minutes each. And one of them is a recipe I have honestly been nervous to share, because it is one of the most special ones my family has.
That would be our Cornaby Family Orange Blossom Dip that has been in the family for more than 4 generations. It has been on our table at every holiday and potluck for as long as I can remember.
The thread that ties all three together is E-Z Gel, our instant thickener. It gives you a thick, creamy texture with no cooking and no separating, so these hold up on a hot day and through a week of leftovers. The one trick to remember is to add the E-Z Gel last and whisk it in gradually, and you will get a smooth, creamy finish every time.
Give the video a watch to see how each one comes together, then scroll down for all three recipes written out, plus the questions I get asked most.
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RECIPE 1
Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette
This is my go-to summer dressing, and it is the one that got me hooked on putting jam in a vinaigrette. Our Strawberry Basket Jam brings the fruit and the body, the balsamic brings the tang, and a little E-Z Gel at the end keeps it from splitting back into oil and vinegar the minute you set it down. Drizzle it over a big summer salad, or use it on fruit, toast, or a cheese board.
Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Cornaby’s Strawberry Basket Jam
- 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp Cornaby’s E-Z Gel
Yield: About 3/4 cup Servings: About 6 (2 Tbsp each)
Instructions
In a bowl, whisk together the Strawberry Basket Jam, balsamic vinegar, honey, minced garlic, olive oil, and salt until well combined. Gradually whisk in the E-Z Gel, a little at a time. It will start to thicken as you whisk and finish thickening within 3 to 5 minutes. Once it is smooth and glossy, drizzle it over your salad or serve it alongside fruit and cheese. It will not separate on the table or in the fridge.
Pro Tip
You can make this directly into a bottle and shake it or mix it with an emersion blender.
RECIPE 2
Cornaby Family Orange Blossom Dip
Here it is, the family recipe. This creamy orange dip has been at every Cornaby gathering since I was a little girl, and it is worth every second of the wait while it sets up. Below is the original the way my grandma made it, plus the lighter, sugar-free version I make for my own family now. Both come out like a citrusy cloud, and I have yet to meet a fruit that is not better dunked in it.
Cornaby Family Orange Blossom Dip
Ingredients (original)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 to 2 tsp Cornaby’s E-Z Gel
Lighter, Sugar-Free Version
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (in place of the sour cream)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup Cornaby’s Allulose (in place of the sugar)
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 to 2 tsp Cornaby’s E-Z Gel
Yield: About 1 1/2 cups Servings: About 10
Instructions
Whisk together everything except the E-Z Gel until smooth. Gradually whisk in the E-Z Gel, a little at a time, and watch it go from liquid to a fluffy, creamy dip. It takes 3 to 5 minutes to fully thicken, so go easy and do not overdo the E-Z Gel. Chill and serve with fruit. It is wonderful with apples, grapes, watermelon, and berries.
Pro Tip
This dip keeps thickening for a few minutes after you stop whisking, so add the E-Z Gel slowly and give it time before you decide whether it needs more. It is easy to add a little extra, impossible to take it back out.
RECIPE 3
Campfire Candy Veggie Dip
This one will change your veggie platter forever, and it could not be easier. Our Campfire Candy stirs in a sweet heat you just do not get from a regular ranch, and the E-Z Gel takes it from a loose, runny dip to a thick, scoopable one that holds its shape on the platter for hours instead of going watery. It is high protein and gluten free too, so it is a snack you can feel good about.
Campfire Candy Veggie Dip
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Cornaby’s Campfire Candy
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp Cornaby’s E-Z Gel
Yield: About 1 1/2 cups Servings: About 10
Instructions
In a bowl, combine the Campfire Candy, Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, and a little salt and pepper. Gradually whisk in the E-Z Gel and give it a couple of minutes to set up. It will go from loose and pourable to thick and scoopable, and it will hold its shape on a veggie platter for hours without going watery. Serve with a colorful spread of bell pepper strips, cucumber rounds, and carrots.
Pro Tip
Make it on Sunday and it keeps in the fridge all week, so it is a great one to have on hand for busy days. Taste before you add much salt, since the Campfire Candy already brings big flavor.
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COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my homemade salad dressing separate, and how do I stop it?
Oil and vinegar naturally split back apart once you stop whisking. Whisking a little E-Z Gel into the dressing at the end gives it enough body to stay together, so it does not break on your salad or in the fridge. Add it last and whisk gradually for a smooth finish.
How do you make a dip that does not get watery?
The trick is E-Z Gel. It is an instant thickener that gives dips a thick, creamy texture with no cooking, so they hold their shape on a platter for hours and do not weep or go soupy in the heat. All three recipes here use it.
Can I make these dips and dressing ahead of time?
Yes, and they are better for it. Because E-Z Gel holds up through refrigeration, all three keep well in the fridge for several days. The veggie dip in particular is great made on a Sunday to snack on all week.
Can I make these sugar-free or low carb?
Yes. The orange blossom dip has a sugar-free version made with Greek yogurt and our Allulose, a zero-carb sweetener. The veggie dip is naturally high protein and gluten free thanks to the Greek yogurt base.
What can I serve with the orange blossom fruit dip?
Just about any fruit you have on hand. It is especially good with bananas, apples, grapes, watermelon, and fresh berries.
What vegetables go best with the Campfire Candy dip?
Keep it colorful. Red, yellow, and orange bell pepper strips, cucumber rounds, and carrots all work beautifully and make a bright, simple platter.
What is Campfire Candy?
Campfire Candy is our sweet-and-spicy candied jalapeno relish, part of the Cowboy Candy line. It adds a sweet heat to the veggie dip that you will not get from a plain ranch or sour cream base.
What is Strawberry Basket Jam?
Strawberry Basket Jam is one of our fruit jams, and it is what gives the vinaigrette its fruit flavor and body. It saves you from cooking down fresh berries just to make a dressing.
How long do these keep in the fridge?
All three hold up for several days, and the veggie dip will go a full week. Because E-Z Gel is freeze-thaw and refrigerator stable, they stay thick and creamy instead of separating over time.
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Naomi learned to cook before she could see over the counter. Growing as a Cornaby meant learning to put up jam before summer ended, making and canning homemade pie filling, and feeding a family with ingredients you could name. Five generations of tradition show up in every recipe she shares. Nothing fancy. Nothing artificial. Just food worth making.
