What Is Salad Cream? – Everything You Should Know

Salad cream is a great way to enjoy any type of salad and can help in significantly enhancing the flavor of other recipes too.

What is salad cream? Salad cream is a mixture of oil, eggs, vinegar, and a range of spices and herbs. Salad cream can be compared to mayo but it has a few key differences that set it apart from regular mayonnaise.

You can make any version of it at home and in some cases, you can come very close to the flavor of commercial-grade salad creams as well.

Read below to learn more about what salad cream is, its uses, how it is different from mayonnaise, and more!

Salad Cream Vs Mayo

As mentioned, salad cream is closely linked to mayonnaise as it includes an emulsified mixture of oil, eggs, and an acid, but that is where the similarities end!

Salad cream uses a completely different proportion of ingredients compared to mayonnaise. For example, mayo has a lower acidic content compared to salad cream.

Mayonnaise also relies on egg yolk to emulsify the mixture while salad cream uses a smaller proportion of egg yolks compared to mayo. 

These small differences greatly affect the flavor, consistency, and color of salad cream and make it super versatile with the addition of flavorings and spices, also, salad cream may contain more umami flavors than mayo too. 

It has a tangy and slightly acidic flavor to it because of the added vinegar while mayo has a very subdued tart flavor with hints of salt and a bit of mustard (if added as an ingredient). 

Typically, salad cream requires the following ingredients:

• Spirit vinegar
• Eggs
• Oil
• Salt
• Water
• Sugar

These ingredients make the base of the salad cream and some may even add a range of other spices to enhance the flavor of the dressing.

For example, it is common to add onion powder, mustard, pepper, and other flavorings to change the flavor and texture of the sauce. 

Meanwhile, mayo only requires 4 basic ingredients: eggs, salt, oil, and acid (vinegar or lemon juice). Commercial mayonnaise may also include mustard, sugar, and other additives to either make it taste better or creamier. 

As stated, both salad cream and mayo have some similarities when it comes to their ingredients but the proportions of each ingredient set it apart. You can easily tell which is which just by tasting both dressings. 

Furthermore, mayo has a distinct whitish color while salad dressing is commonly pale yellow. Salad dressing may also be a bit runnier than mayonnaise as it is commonly used as an almost fluid-like dressing in many recipes. 

It is worth noting that there is no exact science when it comes to making salad cream. Some use mayo as a base while others try to keep it traditional by only mixing in hard-boiled egg yolks or a combination of both.

Depending on the flavor you want, you can easily customize salad cream to fit your preferences.

If you want a more commercial-tasting mixture then you may have to go with a mayo base which would give you a similar tasting salad cream offered by brands like Heinz. 

Alternatively, you can keep it simple by sticking to this condiments roots and using hard-boiled eggs, mustard, and other flavorings to make a runnier consistency.

Remember, when it comes to salad dressings, you can go with whatever you like so long as you try to keep it healthy. 

The Many Uses Of Salad Cream

As discussed, salad cream is widely used as a dressing for many types of salads. It can also be used as a replacement for Caesar dressing in some cases.

If you are looking to uplift the flavor of your salad bowl then a dash of salad cream will go a long way. 

This is a great condiment to get the most out of any leafy greens.

This is where salad cream helps out the most. Because it contains a mixture of healthy and flavorful ingredients, salad cream can be an excellent way to enhance the taste of the salad whilst keeping its nutritional profile almost intact.

Compared to other types of condiments, salad cream mostly offers a better and healthier option.

For example, if you were to compare salad cream to Caesar salad then the latter would not be a great substitute because of its high sodium content. 

Of course, salad cream isn’t completely healthy due to the excessive use of oil, it is still a much better replacement when it comes to other heavier condiments.

Also, its versatility makes it an excellent choice for many types of foods, not just salads.

Salad cream can also be poured over fried items like French fries, a bowl of delicious poutine, fried chicken strips, and more. We will discuss its uses in detail below.

How It’s Made

We have already discussed the basic ingredients of salad cream above, now let’s look at how you can make this delicious condiment at home!

We will also discuss a few cool variations that you can use to further enhance the flavor of this dressing.

Heinz-Like Homemade Salad Cream

This is a great go-to recipe for anyone who enjoys Heinz Salad Cream. 

This recipe will replicate more or less the same flavor and will be a healthier option due to the absence of preservatives and other harmful additives that are commonly found in commercial dressings.

Ingredients

• 1 cup vegetable oil 
• 1 tbsp lemon juice 
• 1 tsp salt 
• 1 large egg 
• ½ cup powdered sugar 
• ¼-½ cup evaporated milk 
• 1-2 tsp rice vinegar (or vinegar of choice)

Instructions

1. Start by making an emulsion (mixture) of eggs, oil, lemon juice, and salt. Mix everything in a small bowl using an electric mixer until you get a creamy and fully-incorporated mixture. This is going to be the mayonnaise base that you will need to make salad cream.
2. Pour the homemade mayonnaise into a larger bowl and add the powdered sugar. Mix everything until fully incorporated. Next, add evaporated milk to the mixture in small quantities while still mixing. 
3. Evaporated milk will give the salad cream a rich and creamy flavor. You can also use whole milk but if you want the same commercial-grade flavor then you will have to use evaporated milk for this recipe. 
4. Once the sugar and milk have been added, finish it off by adding rice vinegar and mixing it until you get a slightly runny but appropriately thick salad cream. 

This recipe will be enough to fill two small-size air-tight condiment bottles. Make sure that you store this homemade salad cream in the fridge at 40°F and use it within 25-30 days. 

This salad cream can also be a great all-purpose condiment too as you can use it in more than just salads. We recommend trying it with fried chicken or a chicken salad. 

Traditional-Tasting Salad Cream

If you want to go traditional, then here is another great recipe that will make a classic salad cream.

Ingredients

• 2 hardboiled egg yolks 
• 2 tsp mustard 
• Juice of half a lemon 
• 3 tbsp white wine vinegar (or cider vinegar) 
• 1 leveled-tbsp sugar 
• 150 ml double cream 
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• Milk 

Instructions

1. Separate the egg whites and the yolk. For this recipe, we will only be working with the yolk.
2. In a bowl, put in the yolk, lemon juice, sugar, mustard, and vinegar, and mix it all with an electric blender. You can also use a whisk, but that will require a lot of work on your part.
3. Slowly mix in half the cream until the mixture becomes thick and creamy. Once you get the right consistency, stop blending. Continue folding the mixture with a spoon for about 2-3 minutes. If the consistency is too thick, just add a splash of milk to make it runny again. 
4. Add salt and pepper to the mixture and mix with a spoon. You can taste the salad cream at this point and adjust the flavors accordingly. 
5. That’s it! Drizzle some of this sauce on the cooked leftover egg whites and try it out! 

This recipe will make a delicious traditional salad cream that you can use in not just salads but with other food too.

To store this condiment, move it into an airtight container and keep it in the fridge at 40°F for about a month. Do not freeze this mixture as it may lose its flavor and emulsion.

You can also adjust the quantity of the ingredients to make a batch that is perfect for your needs.

You may have noticed that this recipe calls for a hard-boiled egg instead of a raw egg-like we listed in the above recipe. Many people are hesitant when it comes to using raw eggs to make salad cream because of the fear of contamination. 

However, as long as you use pasteurized eggs and don’t include eggshells in the mixture, you will be safe. Also, the added vinegar and acidity of the mixture will kill off any harmful bacteria, including Salmonella. 

If you are prone to adding eggshells while cracking eggs then a great pro tip would be to first wash the eggs using an antibacterial soap or liquid and crack the eggs in a separate bowl. Remove any shells before adding the eggs to the mixture.

Quick Salad Cream Recipe

If you are looking for a quick fix then here’s another great recipe. This one uses a lot of common ingredients and you can prepare it in just under 5 minutes. 

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp mayonnaise (any brand will do)
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce 
• ½ tsp Dijon mustard 
• ½ tsp white wine vinegar 
• ⅛ tsp salt

Instructions 

1. Mix the mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and mustard in a bowl. Whisk together until completely homogenous.
2. Add vinegar and give a good mix until everything is completely incorporated. 
3. You can also optionally mix a splash of milk to make the mixture a bit runny. This will come in handy when you need to drizzle it over salads or other food. 

That’s it! This is an extremely easy and quick way to enjoy a great-tasting salad cream without making a lot of effort. 

You can store the salad cream in the fridge for about 2-3 days. We recommend that you make smaller batches of this recipe so that it’s easier to consume.

Since the recipe is already fairly easy to make, you can make it as per your requirements on the spot without needing to store it for later use. 

Salad Cream Vs. Other Condiments

Salad cream shares some ingredients with other great-tasting condiments like Thousand Island sauce, Mayo-based Honey Mustard, Caesar Dressing, and more. 

All these condiments use mayonnaise as a base but in the case of traditional salad cream, you can go without using mayo by just using hardboiled eggs.

Also, salad cream is generally known to be very versatile because of the additions that you can make.

While there is a traditional recipe for this dressing, there are several variations that you can try with any of the above recipes to make it your own!

You can also get experimental and try mixing different condiments with salad cream to change its flavor and texture as well. 

For example, adding a dash of Thousand Island sauce will give it a more rounded, sweeter, and brighter flavor because of the added ketchup.

Furthermore, to enhance the flavor of regular salad cream, you can also try adding onion powder, garlic powder, or even MSG to spike its flavor.

There are very few restaurants that make the basic version of this sauce because everyone tries to add their twist to the recipe to make it better. 

Great Ways To Try Salad Cream

As mentioned above, the use of salad cream goes beyond salads! 

This dressing can be used in rice dishes, BBQs, and much more. Here are a few great ways to try this sauce:

Steaks And BBQ

Salad cream can be drizzled over steaks and may even be used as a condiment on the side. The tangy and citrus undertones of this mixture will pair perfectly with all meaty flavors.

You can even drizzle this dressing over crunchy fries too. Trust us, ditch the usual condiments and try salad cream with your steak next time for a unique experience. 

Fish Fillets

Salad cream is an excellent replacement for tartar sauce. It offers more flavors and can also uplift the flavor of the fillet.

Tartar sauce uses mayonnaise as a base with chopped pickles and herbs. Salad cream has the same flavor but uses different ingredients. 

The tanginess of the pickles is replaced with vinegar while a range of other spices and herbs can be added to salad cream to make it taste more like tartar sauce, but better!

If you have been looking for a great alternative for fish fillets then this is a great place to start.

Sandwiches

A drizzle of salad cream on subs is a great way to enjoy this dressing. If you love a good veggie and light meat sandwich then we highly recommend that you try it with salad cream.

Toast the bread, add crunchy and fresh vegetables, and a selection of your favorite types of meat. Drizzle with salad cream and other condiments as needed and brace yourself! 

We are sure that this will become your new favorite way to enjoy sandwiches. If you want even more flavor then we recommend adding a few French fries in the sub too.

The starchy flavor of the fries with the tangy undertones of the dressing will beautifully complement each other!

Caesar Salad

Some may cry foul at this suggestion but believe it or not, using salad cream instead of Caesar dressing can be a better alternative in some cases. 

Sure, Caesar dressings are more tuned to have savory and umami flavors but if you are looking for a low-calorie replacement compared to the usual calorie-dense dressings then salad cream is the way to go! 

This is going to be especially impactful if you dislike anchovies since Caesar dressings usually have that as an ingredient.

Additionally, you can use the quick salad cream recipe that we have mentioned above to get more or less the same flavors as a typical Caesar dressing. 

Fried Chicken Or Chicken Salad

This is a no-brainer and a great tip for anyone who wants a kick out of their fried food. 

Salad cream can be used as both a marinade and a dip for fried chicken.

The acidity will help tenderize the chicken while the other ingredients (mustard, sugar, pepper, etc.) will bring out the savory flavors in the meat. You can add more spices and herbs to further enhance the flavor as well.  

Salad cream can be drizzled over a chicken salad, just toss a few of your favorite greens and add a few slices of grilled or fried chicken.

Poutine

We should probably caution our readers against this since it is highly addictive! The great thing with poutine is that anything goes!

If you are looking to take an average bowl of poutine to the next level then we recommend adding a drizzle on top of the fries just before serving it.

The rich creamy texture along with the pull and flavors of the cheese and other ingredients will make this an instant hit. 

This is one comfort food that you certainly do not want to miss! 

Related Questions

Now that you know the basics of salad cream, how it’s made, and how it’s best used, here are some related questions that you may have regarding this delicious dressing!

Can you use low-fat mayonnaise in salad cream?

Yes, you can use low-fat mayonnaise to make salad cream at home. If you find the taste to be a bit bland, then we recommend that you add more seasoning (spices and herbs) to balance the flavor of the dressing. 

Can you use salad cream as a pizza topping?

Yes, salad cream can be used as a condiment for many dishes. You can also add it with other toppings when making homemade pizza.

The best way to enjoy it would be to add the salad cream on top with a spiral motion using a sauce bottle after the pizza has been cooked. 

It will look great and add a rich and creamy texture to the pizza. You may even get a good kick out of it if you use it as a replacement for pizza sauce. 

Can salad cream be used to marinate meat?

Yes, salad cream can be used to marinate chicken and other types of meat. 

We recommend that you also add other spices and herbs to create an additional layer of flavor for the chicken. You can achieve even better results by using no-mayo salad cream.

The traditional-tasting salad cream recipe that we have shared above will work best with meat but if you are short on time then any salad cream dressing will work well too.

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