Crazy Simple Strawberry Vinaigrette Recipe

Tired of store-bought salad dressings? Try this super simple strawberry vinaigrette recipe – perfect for any salad. Everything you need to make this delicious dressing is already in your pantry if you have jam – or choose the fresh berry variation to take advantage of strawberry season!

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It’s been many years since I’ve regularly bought salad dressings. They are just so easy to make at home with a few real food ingredients I always have on hand that it’s kind of a no-brainer.

While I love a good American French, Ranch or Honey Mustard, I usually make the easiest – a basic homemade vinaigrette made with olive oil and any kind of vinegar I have.

I make it so often, in fact, that we can get kind of tired of it, lol.

So I’ll come up with new variations like this Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette and now this delicious Strawberry Vinaigrette recipe with a lovely balance between the sweet strawberry and tart vinegar.

Besides the wonderful flavor, the thing I love about this salad dressing is the fact that it can be made with any strawberry jam or preserves you have (store bought or homemade jam), making it perfect for any time of the year.

AND it can also be made with fresh strawberries in the spring and summer which is a great way to use seasonal produce and bring the bright flavor into your everyday meals.

Ingredients

You’ll only need six ingredients (counting salt and pepper) for the basic recipe:

• Strawberry Jam or Preserves – preferably with low sugar and only real food ingredients: this low sugar freezer jam makes a really fresh tasting jam, or find a 100% fruit jam like this, or a natural one made with cane sugar like this.
• Balsamic Vinegar – you’ll want a basic balsamic sold in the US (vs. the thicker artisanal balsamics).
• Olive Oil – extra virgin is a great choice to use in salad dressings since you get the full flavor and benefit of unheated olive oil.
• Dijon Mustard – I love this brand of mustard, but any basic Dijon will do.
• Salt & Pepper – start with the amount I list, but you can adjust this to your tastes.
• “Secret” ingredient: water! I’ve read that adding a bit of water to your vinaigrette helps mellow all the flavors together, so now I add it to all my vinaigrettes.

Easy Ingredient Swaps

Here are a few ingredient substitutions I can recommend for this strawberry vinaigrette:

• Fresh Berry Version: omit the jam and use 1/4 to 1/3 cup sliced strawberries. You’ll need to process everything in a blender or food processor, but that’s the only difference. If your berries aren’t super sweet, you may want to add a teaspoon of honey.
• Use other vinegars: omit the balsamic and use red wine vinegar for a more robust flavor, or rice wine vinegar for a more mild flavor or white wine vinegar for a fruity, subtle flavor.
• Mustard: If you don’t have Dijon, try a stone ground or spicy brown mustard.
• Substitute for Vinegar: if you need to you can swap the vinegar for the same amount of lemon juice (or even lime for a really different variation).

How to make Strawberry Vinaigrette

When I say crazy simple I mean it – it really would take longer to try and find this at the store!

1. Add mustard, jam, salt, pepper, vinegar and water to a small bowl or jar. Stir well with a whisk, making sure that the jam is completely blended with the other ingredients.
2. Pour in the olive oil and whisk briskly until all the ingredients are incorporated fully.

Note: For the fresh berry version, just place all ingredients in a food processor or blender and whir until smooth.

Tips for Storing Vinaigrette Salad Dressing

• Keep your homemade vinaigrette in a glass container with a tight-fitting lid, preferably a lid for easy pouring.
• Store vinaigrettes in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks (the olive oil may solidify – you can bring it to room temperature before serving).
• IF your vinaigrette is only oil, vinegar, mustard, and seasoning you can keep it at room temperature for 1-2 weeks to avoid the solidification.

Recommended tools

• Small sturdy whisk for stirring.
• Small bowl or half pint jar for mixing.
• Make it easy to use your homemade dressings with a mason jar lid with a pour spout (I use mine all the time).

Don’t forget to check out all of my favorite kitchen essentials.

Ways to Use Strawberry Vinaigrette

• On a green salad with sweet onions, sliced strawberries, and sunflower seeds.
• Topping a spinach salad with sweet onion, feta cheese, pistachios, and sliced strawberries (shown in photos).
• Stir into a fruit salad of various berries, apples and grapes.
• Topping a grain bowl that includes chicken, berries, and cheese, etc.
• As a marinade for chicken or pork (marinate for 2-3 hours before baking, broiling, or grilling).

Get more easy and delicious salad dressing recipes here – you’ll literally never have to buy dressing again!

I hope you love this delicious strawberry vinaigrette – if you make it, please leave a comment and a rating letting me know, I’d be so thankful!

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