Apple Cider Vinaigrette
This homemade apple cider vinaigrette is tangy, sweet and so easy to make. Say good-bye to those overpriced, tiny bottles of store bought salad dressing that have way to many ingredients. Make a simple, six-ingredient vinaigrette instead!
Apple Cider Vinaigrette Recipe
There seems to be endless amounts of new salad dressing options constantly hitting the shelves of grocery stores. And while I like the convenience that they provide, there is just nothing quite like making your own dressings.
Healthy caesar dressing on a chicken caesar salad is a favorite of mine. But when I’m in the mood for something different, this apple cider vinaigrette on a brussels sprouts salad is absolutely delicious. It’s a go-to salad for the holidays.
But this homemade apple cider vinaigrette can actually be used on so many different salads! It’s the perfect tangy flavor for a Greek chicken salad and any other favorite salad recipes you have. The honey gives it just a touch of sweetness and the dijon mustard makes it a bit creamy.
The result is a homemade vinaigrette that will be the star of the show! Whether you need a dressing for all your winter salads, or you’re tired of the store-bought stuff, this apple cider vinaigrette has a place in your kitchen!
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
Up your salad game with this delicious, tangy, and creamy dressing:
- Homemade salad dressings are typically much healthier than store-bought. This recipe contains no artificial flavors, preservatives or refined sugar. A giant step up from the majority of store-bought dressing.
- You can make a vinaigrette in just about 5 minutes! It won’t add much prep time in the kitchen and the results are totally worth the effort.
- Apple cider vinaigrette is super versatile. Use it on a variety of different salads, and even use it as a marinade for chicken, fish, and vegetables.
Ingredients
These few simple ingredients are all that you need to make this salad dressing recipe. It’s my favorite way to add a burst of bold flavor to any salad:
- apple cider vinegar
- olive oil
- Dijon mustard
- honey or maple syrup
- minced garlic clove
- salt and black pepper
Substitutions and Variations
Don’t have extra-virgin olive oil on hand? You can use avocado oil instead! It’ll change the flavor a bit but will still be quite tasty.
You can use stone ground mustard or spicy brown mustard in place of Dijon. Regular yellow mustard will work too but you might find the flavor to be a bit overpowering.
While this is a recipe for apple cider vinaigrette, I know sometimes I realize I’m out of a key ingredient in the middle of a recipe! If that’s the case, you can use white wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar in this recipe.
How to Make Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Make the best salad dressing in just a couple steps. Here’s what you need to do:
Combine the apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, olive oil, minced garlic, salt and black pepper in a small bowl or a small jar.
Whisk together the ingredients until thoroughly combined. If you’re using a jar, then affix a tight-fitting lid and shake well to combine.
Use immediately or store in the fridge for up to a week. Give a good shake before using!
How to Use Apple Cider Vinaigrette
This apple cider vinaigrette will work on almost any salad. I love to drizzle it on top of a grilled chicken salad and it adds an amazing tangy bite to my spinach, blue cheese and bacon salad. Take a kale salad to the next level with this tasty dressing too.
Believe it or not, you can use a simple vinaigrette as a marinade! It’d be a great way to marinate chicken before making air fryer grilled chicken and would also be perfect for grilled chicken during summertime too. For an extra pop of flavor in your roasted vegetables, use this vinaigrette as a marinade!
Tips for Success
Check out these few extra tips for the best apple cider vinaigrette:
- If you’d like to have an even smoother texture, use an immersion blender after mixing all of the dressing ingredients together.
- Make sure you are using fresh apple cider vinegar for the best flavor. Not all brands of apple cider vinegar are the same either — so try to choose a higher quality brand if possible.
- If you’re unsure if you’re dressing is still good, just be sure to throw it away if it has a cloudy appearance or you’ve kept it longer than a week. Always store homemade dressings in an airtight container or mason jar with a tight fitting lid for best results.
FAQ
You can substitute with white wine vinegar or champagne vinegar if you prefer a milder flavor. Red wine vinegar is also an option, though it will add a slightly different taste.
There are many different health benefits of apple cider vinegar! And since this recipe is not sweetened with refined sugar, it is actually pretty good for you.
More Dressing and Marinade Recipes
Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Equipment
- Wide Mouth Mason Jar
Ingredients
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 garlic clove minced
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, minced 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.
