This maple balsamic vinaigrette whips up in minutes, using only seven ingredients. Subtly sweet, tangy and absolutely delicious, you’ll want to drizzle this easy dressing over all of your salads. It’s vegan and gluten-free, so everyone can enjoy it!
Homemade salad dressings are the best salad dressings. They’re so much better than store-bought! With homemade dressings you can use the best quality ingredients for amazing flavor. And you can season the dressing to suit your taste.
But who has time to make their own salad dressing?
You do. No, really. Homemade salad dressing doesn’t have to be fussy. This maple balsamic vinaigrette can be made in minutes with seven ingredients and no fancy equipment. It’s absolutely scrumptious and will totally impress your dinner guests.
We’re switching things up from the typical balsamic vinaigrette here, using maple syrup in place of honey. Maple syrup is one of my favorite honey substitutes, and it has a flavor that pairs perfectly with tangy balsamic vinegar. It’s also a great way to keep the dressing vegan!
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Ingredients You’ll Need
The following is a detailed photo tutorial on how to make this dish. Scroll all the way down if you’d like to skip right to the recipe!
- Olive oil. While I’m usually okay with substituting cooking oils, I don’t recommend it here. Olive oil will give your dressing amazing flavor. Use a good quality, extra virgin olive oil.
- Balsamic vinegar. Use a good quality, aged balsamic vinegar, preferably one that’s thick and a tad syrupy. This will give your dressing rich flavor and sweetness.
- Maple syrup.
- Dijon mustard. This recipe works best with a creamy Dijon mustard (not whole grain) to keep the dressing nice and smooth.
- Garlic. We’re using fresh garlic for a little bit of bite.
- Salt and pepper.
How It’s Made
The following is a detailed photo tutorial on how to make this dish. Scroll all the way down if you’d like to skip right to the recipe!
This dressing is ridiculously easy to make. Here’s how it’s done:
Step 1: Place all of your ingredients into a mason jar. You’ll need to mince the garlic, but that’s it as far as prep is concerned.
Step 2: Place the lid on your mason jar and shake it up vigorously. After a few seconds of shaking you’ll have a creamy emulsion, like the one shown in the photo above.
Tip: Don’t have a mason jar with a lid? No problem! You can use any sealable container, or alternatively, place the ingredients into a bowl and whisk them vigorously.
Your maple balsamic dressing is ready! Drizzle it all over your favorite salads. It’s an excellent alternative to poppy seed dressing on my strawberry spinach salad.
Shelf-Life & Storage
Maple balsamic vinaigrette will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for about 2 weeks.
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Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette
This maple balsamic vinaigrette whips up in minutes, using only seven ingredients. Subtly sweet, tangy and absolutely delicious, you’ll want to drizzle this easy dressing over all of your salads. It’s vegan and gluten-free, so everyone can enjoy it!
Ingredients
-
½
cup
extra virgin olive oil -
¼
cup
balsamic vinegar -
1
tablespoon
maple syrup -
1
teaspoon
Dijon mustard -
1
garlic clove,
minced -
¼
teaspoon
salt,
plus more to taste -
¼
teaspoon
black pepper,
plus more to taste
Instructions
-
Place all ingredients into a mason jar with a lid. (Note 1)
-
Place the lid on the mason jar, then shake it vigorously until the mixture forms a smooth emulsion. This should only take a few seconds.
-
Open the jar, taste-test the dressing, and make any adjustments to needed to suit your taste. Close the jar and shake it again.
Recipe Notes
- If you don’t have a mason jar with a lid, another sealable container will do. Alternatively, you can place the ingredients into a bowl and whisk them vigorously.
- Recipe makes about ¾ cup of dressing.
Nutrition Facts
Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette
Amount Per Serving (2 tablespoons)
Calories 156
Calories from Fat 151
% Daily Value*
Fat 16.8g26%
Saturated Fat 2.4g12%
Sodium 107mg4%
Potassium 18mg1%
Carbohydrates 2.6g1%
Fiber 0.1g0%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 0.1g0%
Calcium 5mg1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.