Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette

Did you know you can make your own vinaigrette? This strawberry balsamic vinaigrette only takes about 5 minutes to make from start to finish. It’s so flavorful and is a great use of any leftover strawberries you may have in your refrigerator.

This strawberry balsamic vinaigrette is such an easy salad dressing to top your favorite summertime salads. It’s naturally gluten free, dairy free and vegan. Making your own vinaigrette at home doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, it just takes a few simple ingredients.

Instead of purchasing a salad dressing at the grocery store, just make it at home. It tastes fresher and I like to know exactly what is going in my dressing. No hidden ingredients here!

Plus, it’s so fun (and tasty!) to add in whatever flavors and spices you like best! It truly makes your salad one of a kind.

What’s the difference between vinaigrette and salad dressing?

Are the terms vinaigrette and salad dressing interchangeable? Not quite. A vinaigrette is a type of salad dressing. But not all salad dressings are a vinaigrette.

Vinaigrette is made from a combination of oil and acid. Typically, for the oil I use olive oil or avocado oil depending on what flavors I want to come through in the vinaigrette. However, you can use whatever oil you would like.

The acid component of a vinaigrette is usually a citrus or vinegar of some sort. Balsamic vinegar is used in this recipe, but apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, and white vinegar are also great choices.

How to Make Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette

To make this strawberry balsamic vinaigrette recipe, combine strawberries, oil, balsamic vinegar, mustard, maple syrup or honey, salt and pepper to a food processor.

Process for a few minutes, until the vinaigrette is completely smooth.

How do you store strawberry balsamic dressing?

You should store your strawberry vinaigrette in the refrigerator. Place the dressing in an airtight container with a lid and store about up to a week.

I like to mix or shake the vinaigrette while it’s in the container before serving again.

What other berries would be good in this salad dressing?

Strawberries are such a versatile fruit, but other berries would work well in this recipe, too. I think a blueberry balsamic dressing would be quite delicious. Blueberries are very flavorful when ripe and the flavors would really come through.

Raspberries and blackberries are also great choices for a berry balsamic dressing. Just replace whatever berry you want with the strawberries in equal parts.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerator: Keeps in an airtight container or jar for up to 1 week. The dressing may separate as it sits. Give it a good shake or whisk before serving again.

Freezer: Not recommended. The texture changes once thawed and won’t re-emulsify smoothly.

Serving Suggestions

This dressing was made for my gluten-free strawberry spinach salad , and the two together are one of my favorite summer meals. It’s also great on my grilled peach burrata salad or drizzled over roasted chicken thighs with a simple green salad. If you’re putting together a summer spread, set it out with my farmer’s market salad and let everyone dress their own plate.