We have a simple method for putting together a delicious salad dressing recipe and once you learn it, you’ll be able to adapt it endlessly with your favorite olive oil, vinegar, herbs, and flavors. The most important thing is to let taste guide you. If you’re using a highly acidic vinegar or lemon juice, you’ll definitely want to add the honey for balance. If you’re using a sweet and tangy balsamic vinegar, you probably don’t need any honey. You can also reduce the amount of vinegar or lemon and increase the olive oil, depending on your taste preferences.
Here are our general measurements to make about a half cup of salad dressing, which will serve 4.
- 1/4 cup vinegar or lemon juice
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- A few teaspoons of other stuff like herbs and spices
- Freshly ground salt and black pepper, to taste
To make it add all ingredients to a bowl or a mason jar and mix until well combined. If using a mason jar, you can simply put the lid on and shake the jar until well combined.
Check out our favorite variations below.
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 cup We Olive Fresh Basil Olive Oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
- Freshly ground salt and black pepper, to taste
Chili Lime Vinaigrette
This salad dressing is delicious on slaw and other crunchy, shredded salads, and it’s also fantastic on roasted sweet potatoes and squash.
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/4 cup We Olive Jalapeno Olive Oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon We Olive Wasabi Sake Mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- 1 tablespoon minced jalapeno pepper
- Freshly ground salt and black pepper, to taste
Rosemary Fig Balsamic Vinaigrette
This vinaigrette is beautiful on fall and winter salads, spooned over roast pork and chicken, and lovely on greens with fresh fruit and goat cheese.
- 1/4 cup We Olive Mission Fig Balsamic Vinegar
- 1/4 cup We Olive Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon We Olive Balsamic Fig Almond Spread
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
- Freshly ground salt and black pepper, to taste
Blackberry Balsamic Vinaigrette
This vinaigrette is our go-to for green salads that are loaded with fruit, crumbled blue cheese, and toasted nuts. It can also be adapted with different fruit vinegars and jams so use whatever you have in your pantry!
- 1/4 cup We Olive Blackberry Balsamic Vinegar
- 1/4 cup We Olive Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon blackberry jam
- Freshly ground salt and black pepper, to taste
Thank you for sharing these ideas!