If you're looking for a delicious and refreshing dressing to elevate your salads, then look no further than this strawberry balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
This recipe is perfect for those who want to add a fruity and tangy twist to their salads. The strawberry dressing is easy to make, requires only a few ingredients, and is versatile enough to be used in a variety of dishes.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
When strawberries are in season, we all need to use them every way we can think of!
Vinaigrette dressing is a personal favorite of mine because it is both sweet and tangy, making it a perfect match for any salad. I previously made a raspberry vinaigrette dressing, and now I've revised that recipe for strawberries. All the berries need to be represented!
The sweetness of the strawberries perfectly balances the acidity of the balsamic vinegar, creating a delicious flavor profile. Additionally, this recipe is quick and easy to make, making it an excellent choice for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
How to Make This Delicious Strawberry Salad Dressing
Homemade salad dressing is fast and easy to make, and this one is no exception!
Of course it all starts with strawberries. Use fresh, beautiful, in season strawberries if at all possible. If you're craving this dressing other times of the year, thaw out some frozen berries for a great alternative.
Add all the ingredients to a small blender or food processor. Blend on medium to high speed for about a minute, until everything is well incorporated. Give the dressing a quick taste and adjust with more sweetener or vinegar as needed.
If you don't have a blender, you can mix the berries with the sugar and then mash them with a fork or potato masher until they are pureed. Then, whisk with the other ingredients to make the dressing.
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Serving Suggestions
This strawberry balsamic vinaigrette can easily be used anytime you'd normally use a regular balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Here are some ideas for that:
- Drizzle over a beet salad with goat cheese.
- Try it on a strawberry walnut salad for even more strawberry taste.
- Use as a dressing for a fruit salad, combining strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries.
Substitutions and variations
Here are some substitutions and variations to consider when making the vinaigrette:
- Thaw some frozen strawberries whenever fresh are not available.
- Use raspberries to make a delicious raspberry balsamic vinaigrette.
- Try some apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar in place of balsamic vinegar.
- Use maple syrup or agave nectar in place of honey.
- Adjust the amount of sweetener (honey and brown sugar) you add according to the sweetness of the berries you are using.
- Add fresh herbs, such as basil or thyme, for extra flavor.
Storage
Store the dressing in the refrigerator for up to one week. Before using, give the vinaigrette a good shake to combine the ingredients.
Expert tips
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor.
- Be sure to blend the ingredients well to ensure a smooth and creamy texture.
- Adjust the sweetness and acidity to your liking by adding more honey or vinegar as needed.
- If your fresh strawberries are really sweet, start with less sweetener and then adjust to taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can make this dressing without a blender. You'll want to chop the strawberries finely, mix with the brown sugar, and then mash with a fork or potato masher to get the texture as close to a puree as possible. Then whisk all the ingredients together in a bowl.
While fresh strawberries are recommended for the best flavor, you can use frozen strawberries in a pinch. Thaw the strawberries before using and be sure to drain off any excess liquid.
Yes, this recipe is vegan-friendly. Simply use agave nectar or maple syrup in place of honey to make it completely vegan.
More Healthy Salad Ideas
📖 Recipe
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Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 1 cup strawberries, sliced fresh or thawed from frozen
- 3 Tablespoons Olive oil, extra virgin
- 1 Tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon Honey
- 1 Tablespoon Brown sugar light
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon white pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a small blender or food processor.1 cup strawberries, sliced, 3 Tablespoons Olive oil, extra virgin, 1 Tablespoon Balsamic vinegar, 1 Tablespoon Honey, 1 Tablespoon Brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon salt, ⅛ teaspoon white pepper
- Blend at medium to high speed until well mixed, about one minute.
- Taste the dressing and adjust with more sweetener or vinegar, as needed.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Claire
This dressing was really delicious.
I made it with frozen strawberries from our crop last year and it worked so well.
We served it with a spinach salad and some grilled chicken and everyone loved it.
So easy and so much flavor.
Sula
Wonderful! I did a lot of the development of this recipe using frozen berries, because the strawberries weren't in season yet. So I know it works with both fresh and frozen!
Jennifer
This is such a tasty twist on a dressing - the strawberry really infuses it with great flavor! I had it over spinach and it was delish!
Sula
So glad you enjoyed it!
Betsy
Yum! A great twist on the traditional raspberry vinaigrette. When our strawberries come in, I will be making this!
Sula
It's a must during strawberry season!
Chichi
This is an amazing dressing! We loved it.
Sula
Thank you for the kind review!
Sherry Ronning
With fresh strawberries coming into season, I am always looking for great strawberry recipes. I am glad you gave an alternative of not using a blender and mixing by hand with a hand masher. Thank you for a great salad dressing recipe!
Sula
I hope you try it soon!
Ksenia
I seriously loved how good this tasted! Sweet, a bit spicy from the black pepper and just the right level of zest from the vinegar. Fantastic dish!
Sula
Thank you!