Apple-Cider Vinaigrette

This bright and tangy apple-cider vinaigrette will make your salads absolutely sing! Anyone who loves fresh, flavorful dressings will fall head over heels for this recipe. The best part is that it takes just 5 minutes to whip up, and you probably already have all the ingredients in your pantry.

Recipe Details

Timing & Servings: Active Time: 5 minutes, Total Time: 5 minutes, Serves: 6 people.

Nutrition Profile: Diabetes-Friendly, Nut-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Heart-Healthy, Vegan, Vegetarian, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free.

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 97 Calories, 9g Fat, 3g Carbs.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Cider vinegar: You’ll need ⅓ cup of this golden goodness. Apple cider vinegar gives the dressing that perfect fruity tang that makes everything taste fresh and bright.

Extra-virgin olive oil: ¼ cup of good quality olive oil creates the silky base. Don’t worry about using your fanciest bottle – any extra-virgin olive oil you have will work beautifully.

Pure maple syrup: Just 1 tablespoon adds the perfect touch of sweetness to balance out the tangy vinegar. Real maple syrup works best, but you can use what you have.

Dijon mustard: 1 teaspoon helps everything blend together smoothly and adds a tiny kick of flavor. Regular yellow mustard works too if that’s what’s in your fridge.

Garlic: One clove grated fresh gives the dressing that amazing garlicky punch. If you don’t have fresh garlic, ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder will do the trick.

Salt and pepper: ¼ teaspoon of each brings all the flavors together perfectly. Use whatever salt and pepper you normally cook with.

How to Make Apple-Cider Vinaigrette

Step 1: Grab a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid. Add the vinegar, olive oil, maple syrup, mustard, grated garlic, salt, and pepper right into the jar. Don’t worry about the order – just toss everything in there.

Step 2: Screw the lid on tight and shake like crazy for about 30 seconds. You’ll see everything come together into a beautiful, creamy dressing. Give it a taste and adjust the salt or pepper if you want.

Easy and Quick Apple-Cider Vinaigrette Version

This recipe is already super quick, but here’s an even faster trick! If you don’t have time to grate fresh garlic, just use ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder instead. You can also whisk everything together in a bowl if you don’t have a jar handy – it works just as well and takes the same amount of time.

Serving Ideas

This versatile dressing is amazing on any type of greens you love. Try it over delicate butter lettuce, peppery arugula, or even sturdy kale. It’s also fantastic drizzled over roasted vegetables or used as a marinade for grilled chicken.

Storage

Store your dressing in the fridge for up to 1 week in that same jar you mixed it in. Before using, let it come to room temperature for about 10 minutes, then give it another good shake. You can also pop it in the microwave for 30-60 seconds (without the lid!) and shake again to get it smooth.

Substitutions

No maple syrup? Try honey or even a teaspoon of brown sugar instead. If you’re out of Dijon mustard, regular yellow mustard works great. You can swap the apple cider vinegar for white wine vinegar or even lemon juice if that’s what you have on hand.

Pro Tips

• Shake it up: Always give your dressing a good shake before using since oil and vinegar naturally separate.
• Taste and adjust: Start with the recipe as written, then add more maple syrup if you like it sweeter or more vinegar if you want extra tang.
• Double it: This recipe doubles perfectly if you want to make a bigger batch for meal prep.
• Room temperature trick: Let cold dressing sit out for 10 minutes before serving – it tastes so much better when it’s not ice cold.

FAQs

Can I make this dressing without a jar?

You bet! Just whisk all the ingredients together in a bowl until they’re well combined. Pour it into whatever container you have for storage. The jar method is just easier because you can shake everything up quickly.

Why does my dressing separate?

No worries – that’s totally normal! Oil and vinegar naturally separate, which is why you need to shake or whisk the dressing before each use. The mustard helps keep things together, but some separation is expected.

Can I use this as a marinade?

Sure! This dressing makes an excellent marinade for chicken, pork, or vegetables. Just let whatever you’re marinating sit in the dressing for at least 30 minutes before cooking.

Is this dressing really gluten-free?

Yes, all the ingredients in this recipe are naturally gluten-free. Just make sure your Dijon mustard doesn’t contain any wheat-based ingredients if you’re very sensitive to gluten.

I’d love to hear how this dressing turns out for you! Drop a comment and let me know what you served it with – I’m always looking for new ways to use this delicious vinaigrette. Happy cooking, friends!