This beautifully coloured strawberry vinaigrette salad dressing is fresh, vibrant, tangy, and has the perfect balance of sweet and tart. The slightly creamy texture clings lusciously to salad greens. And it can be ready in just minutes!
So quick and easy with only 5 simple ingredients. And it's healthy, too! It is naturally gluten-free, low calorie, refined sugar-free, dairy-free, paleo, and vegetarian (can be made vegan). Homemade means this dressing is free from preservatives and additives; and it tastes better than anything store bought.
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With its fresh and bright strawberry flavour, this vinaigrette easily makes for the best summer salads. Even picky eaters can be convinced to enjoy a salad when it tastes this good.
Need another excuse to make something with scrumptious strawberries? Fresh strawberry cookies are something I make every single summer without fail.
Ingredients
- Strawberries - The flavour of the vinaigrette is dependent on the sweetness of the berries. Sweet, ripe, in-season strawberries are important to get that perfectly pronounced strawberry flavour. If your berries aren't as sweet as you would like, don't skip the optional maceration step.
- This recipe is a great way to use up overripe berries that are starting to soften (avoid any mold).
- White wine vinegar
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Honey - I used a beautiful, creamy honey from Canadian bees.
- Freshly ground black pepper
See the recipe card below for quantities.
Substitutions
Fresh strawberries - You can use frozen strawberries, however, the flavour won't be as bright. Make sure to thaw frozen berries completely first.
White wine vinegar - You can substitute this 1:1 with red wine vinegar or champagne vinegar, though the final taste will be slightly different.
Olive oil - Sunflower oil, safflower oil, or other vegetable oils make the best olive oil substitute in salad dressings as they are minimally flavoured. Nut oils, such as walnut, could be used but they will add a noticeably nutty flavour.
Honey - Substitute with maple syrup to make this dressing vegan.
Variations
Raspberries - Swap the strawberries with fresh raspberries for a tasty raspberry vinaigrette. You may need to adjust the amount of honey slightly to atone for the tarter berries.
Seed-free - Once blended, pour the dressing through a fine mesh sieve to remove the seeds.
Vegan - Replace the honey with maple syrup.
Instructions
Rinse, de-stem, and quarter the strawberries.
(Optional step: Macerate the strawberries to help extract the sweet juices from the berries. Mix the strawberries with the vinegar and honey in a bowl and let sit for 30 minutes.)
Add all vinaigrette ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
Taste and adjust seasoning to taste. Strawberries vary in sweetness: if too tart, add more honey; if too sweet, add more vinegar).
Refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to use.
How to use strawberry vinaigrette dressing
- On a fresh and light, summery salad. Get creative and use your favourite ingredients. This vinaigrette pairs particularly well with:
- Greens: spinach, kale, chard, lettuce, arugula, chicory
- Cheese: feta, goat cheese, blue cheese
- Nuts: walnuts, slivered almonds
- Fruits and berries
- A dressing for fruit salads or mixed berries.
- On a simple side salad for a main dish of chicken, pork, or salmon.
- Drizzled on a beet and goat cheese salad.
- An interesting marinade for chicken, pork, or fish. Marinate in for at least 4 hours or overnight in an airtight, zip top bag in the refrigerator.
- A spread for a bistro-style sandwich with a protein, such as turkey or pork.
- Gift in a small mason jar tied with ribbon. Just make sure the recipient knows to keep it in the fridge and enjoy it soon.
Equipment
To make this recipe you will need a blender. I really enjoy using my KitchenAid blender.
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Storage
Because this strawberry vinaigrette salad dressing contains raw berries, it won't keep for long. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
I do not recommend freezing it as it tends to separate.
Tip for Success
In a recipe such as this one with so few ingredients, you will notice a major difference in your results depending on the quality of ingredients you use. Make sure to use sweet, ripe strawberries and good quality honey, olive oil, and white wine vinegar.
FAQ
In an airtight container in the refrigerator, the vinaigrette will last up to 3 days.
Macerating the strawberries is completely optional when making this vinaigrette. If your strawberries are not as sweet as you would like, I recommend that you don't skip this step. If your berries are sweet and you are short on time, feel free to skip it.
📖 Recipe
Fresh Strawberry Vinaigrette
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: ½ cup vinaigrette 1x
- Category: Dressings
- Cuisine: American
Description
This beautiful strawberry vinaigrette salad dressing is fresh, sweet and tangy, and slightly creamy so it clings lusciously to salad greens.
Ingredients
1 cup strawberries
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Rinse, de-stem, and quarter the strawberries.
(Optional step: Macerate the strawberries to help extract the sweet juices from the berries. Mix the strawberries with the vinegar and honey in a bowl and let sit for 30 minutes.)
Add all dressing ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
Taste and adjust seasoning to taste. Strawberries vary in sweetness: if too tart, add more honey; if too sweet, add more vinegar).
Refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to use.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tbsp
- Calories: 57
- Sugar: 5.7 g
- Sodium: 0.6 mg
- Fat: 3.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 7.1 g
- Protein: 0.3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Holly Jade says
This looks amazing!!
Asha says
It truly is 😉
Melissa says
This is my new favorite salad dressing
Asha says
Thanks, mine too!
Sayaka says
Fantastic salad dressing.
Asha says
Thank you Sayaka 🙂
Tricia says
Just made this. I'm in love.
Asha says
Thanks! 😀
Katrina says
Made this with your recipt for Poached Salmon Salad. To die for!
Asha says
So glad you enjoyed it. I love that salad.
zoey says
Thank you so much. Love the taste of this vinaigrette.
Asha says
I'm so glad. Thanks for leaving a review 🙂
Candace says
Made this vinaigrette for salad greens and zucchini fresh from my garden. Delightful.
Asha says
Thank you. Sounds wonderful
Lisa says
How long does this last in the fridge for? Thank you
Asha says
Hello, thank you and sorry for the slow response. It will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days 🙂
Kimberley says
Thank you. Thank you! My 5 and 7 year-olds ate green salad with this dressing on it and not one complaint.
Asha says
That's awesome, thanks for sharing 🙂
Trevor says
Made this for the first time. Amazing.
Asha says
Thanks so much
Debbie says
Delightful on the poached salmon salad. Thanks for both recipes.
Asha says
Thanks for the kind reviews 🙂
Paul says
Made this vinaigrette this past weekend to compliment a wild sockeye salmon and spinach salad. My guests were all smiles when they took their first bite. Strawberry vinaigrette is sooooo good and easy to make.
Asha says
Thank you! That sounds fantastic.
Kirsten says
Awesome flavor.
Asha says
Thank you!
Cathy says
Wow. This vinaigrette went perfectly with the salmon salad.
Asha says
Thanks so much!