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    Home » Blog » Whole Food Recipes » Easy Salad Recipes » Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes

    May 5, 2023 | By Jami

    Crazy Simple Strawberry Vinaigrette Recipe

    Jump to 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 - or choose the fresh berry variation to take advantage of strawberry season.

    simple strawberry vinaigrette on salad in bowl

    Some links in this article are affiliate links - if you click on them I will receive a small commission at no cost to you.

    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.

    Strawberry Vinaigrette Recipe

    Strawberry Vinaigrette ingredients

    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.
    strawberries in white bowl

    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).
    Making vinaigrette with a whisk

    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.

    Strawberry Vinaigrette salad dressing on spoon

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the difference between salad dressing and vinaigrette?

    Though we use the term salad dressing to refer to any type of dressing for salads, it's technically used for cream based dressings that include mayonnaise, sour cream, yogurt or buttermilk. Vinaigrette is exclusively used for any oil-based dressing.

    Can you substitute the vinegar in vinaigrette dressings?

    Yes, you can use lemon juice or lime juice in place of vinegar.

    What is the formula for vinaigrette dressing?

    Standard French vinaigrette uses a 3:1 ratio of oil to vinegar. You can find different ratios, though, and even mix up your own. I prefer more of a 2:1 ratio which is what you'll find in this strawberry vinaigrette.

    Tips for Storing Vinaigrettes

    • 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.
    pouring vinaigrette on salad

    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.

    How 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 all of our easy and delicious salad dressing recipes here!

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

    Strawberry Vinaigrette salad dressing on spoon
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    Simple Strawberry Vinaigrette Recipe

    With just 6 ingredients and in 5 minutes you can have a delicious, restaurant worthy vinaigrette for salads, marinades, grain bowls and more.
    Prep Time5 minutes mins
    Total Time5 minutes mins
    Course: Salads
    Cuisine: American
    Yield: 1 half cup
    Author: Jami Boys

    Equipment

    • small whisk
    • small bowl or half pint jar
    • food processor or blender if using fresh berries

    Ingredients

    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • 2 tablespoons strawberry jam or preserves OR 1/4 cup sliced fresh strawberries*
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
    • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (see notes for other options)
    • 2 teaspoons water
    • 1/3 cup olive oil

    Instructions

    • 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. (See Notes if using fresh berries.)
    • Pour in the olive oil and whisk briskly until all the ingredients are incorporated fully.
    • Store in a glass jar with tight lid 3-4 weeks in the refrigerator.

    Notes

    *To Use Fresh Berries: Process all the ingredients at once in a blender or food processor until smooth. You may want to add a teaspoon of honey if your berries aren't very sweet.
    Vinegar Substitutes: Try this vinaigrette with Red or White Wine Vinegar, Rice Wine vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar or even lemon juice if you can't have vinegar.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1TB | Calories: 50kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 0.04g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 41mg | Potassium: 6mg | Fiber: 0.05g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 0.4IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @anoregoncottage or tag #anoregoncottage!
    easy strawberry vinaigrette recipe

    Disclosure: affiliate links in this article will earn commission based on sales, but it doesn't change your price. Click here to read our full disclaimer and advertising disclosure.

    About Jami

    Since 2009 Jami Boys has been helping readers live a simple homemade life through whole food recipes, doable gardening, and easy DIY projects on An Oregon Cottage. From baking bread, to creating a floor from paper, to growing and preserving food, Jami shares the easiest ways to get things done. She's been featured in Cottages and Bungalows, Old House Journal, and First for Women magazines as well as numerous sites like Good Housekeeping, Huffington Post, and Apartment Therapy.

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    Hi, I'm Jami and I'm so glad you're here! My desire is to help you live a simple homemade life through delicious whole food recipes, easy organic gardening and preserving your harvest.

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