Apple Cider Vinegar Salad Dressing
This post may contain affiliate links.
When I want to save myself some money and skip a long list of ingredients, I make this apple cider vinegar salad dressing! It whips up in only 5 minutes and has a tangy honey mustard flavor that even my kids get behind.
I truly think that homemade salad dressings just taste better. They’re fresher, you can customize the flavor, and I don’t have to worry about a zillion ingredients in an overpriced bottle.
This apple cider vinaigrette is actually a favorite of my boys because of its subtly sweet flavor. I enjoy it most over the top of a shaved Brussel sprout salad, whereas they prefer it drizzled onto a Greek chicken salad. Regardless, when I’m in a pinch for dinner, this homemade dressing is an easy way to give a new flavor to a classic side dish like air fryer green beans. It’s that good.
Why This Recipe is a Family Favorite
Made with just 6 ingredients, this apple cider vinegar salad dressing comes together in less time than it takes to prep a salad from a bag. And being sweetened with honey means that it has a sweet but tangy taste that complements everything it’s used on.
Plus, this homemade dressing is versatile enough that you can use leftovers as a marinade for chicken, fish, or even vegetables to give them new flavors.
Happy Kitchen Secrets
Here are my important mom-tested cooking tips for making this recipe! I’ve made this countless times, so I can save you from a failed attempt.
- Be sure to use fresh apple cider vinegar for the best flavor balance between sweet and savory.
- If it’s coming out of the fridge, make sure to shake it well in the jar to recombine the ingredients.
- Just like my Caesar salad dressing, taste dressing before you use it. This way, you can adjust the flavors to your own preferences.
If you’re ready to skip the store-bought prices, I have plenty of other homemade salads and dressings to rotate through.
Ingredients
You’ll want to add these ingredients to your grocery shopping list:
This apple cider vinaigrette uses olive oil as its base. However, avocado oil can be used in its place.
Quality matters, so try to choose an apple cider vinegar with the “mother” in the bottom for the best flavor. Look for the word “raw” or “unfiltered” on the bottle. In a pinch, white wine or distilled white vinegar will work too.
As an easy flavor swap, replace the Dijon mustard with stone-ground mustard or spicy brown mustard. Know that this is a great variation for adults; most kids, including my boys, prefer a lighter mustard and more honey.
How to Make Apple Cider Vinegar Salad Dressing
For the full instructions, see the recipe card! ⬇️
Jump to Recipe
- In a small mason jar or bowl, measure in the apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. It doesn’t matter which order they go in.
- Use a small whisk to combine everything together until it looks smooth and the honey has mixed in.
- It’s ready to use immediately, but if you won’t be using it right away, place the lid on the jar and keep it in the fridge until you need it.
Helpful Tip
If you're making the apple cider dressing in a mason jar, instead of whisking it together, just put the lid on the jar and give it a good shake!
Make it kid-friendly: If you have picky kids, you'll want the smoothest consistency as possible. Instead of just shaking the ingredients together, use an immersion blender after you've combined everything.
Meal Prep Instructions
This apple cider salad dressing will stay fresh in the fridge for up to one week. Be sure to keep in an airtight container or mason jar with a tight-fitting lid.
If the dressing has a cloudy appearance or you've kept it too long, it's best to make a fresh batch.
Serving Suggestions
This vinaigrette dressing will work with whatever you use it with. Try it on top of a chickpea cucumber salad or a fall harvest salad with chicken.
It can even be used as a marinade on top of something like air fryer chicken breasts before you cook them.
Apple Cider Vinegar Salad Dressing FAQs
Since the dressing is made with olive oil, it becomes firm in the fridge as the ingredients separate. Let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes and give it a good shake before you need it. This will recombine everything and bring back the smooth, creamy texture.
Of course, some fresh chives or oregano can subtly change the flavor of the dressing in new and delicious ways.
After you make this recipe, please give it a star rating below and comment to let me know how it went!
Apple Cider Vinegar Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 clove garlic peeled and minced
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, ¼ cup olive oil, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon honey, minced 1 clove garlic, salt and pepper until well combined. You can also add everything to a jar and shake well to combine.
- Use immediately or store in the fridge for up to a week.
Equipment
- Wide Mouth Mason Jar
Notes
Nutrition
2026 Update: This recipe is still a favorite of ours! It's been updated to simplify the cooking instructions and include extra cooking tips. We hope you love it as much as we do!
Other Easy Salad Dressings
If you're excited to start making your own dressings, you have to try my favorite lemon salad dressing or the avocado salad dressing. My kids love this maple vinaigrette as well because of its sweet taste.
