5 Fruity Vinaigrette Recipes for Spring Salads:
- Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette:
This classic combination gets a spring twist with fresh strawberries.
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a blender, combine strawberries, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, and honey. Blend until smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- This vinaigrette will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Apricot Ginger Vinaigrette:
This sweet and spicy dressing pairs well with leafy greens and grilled chicken.
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup apricot preserves
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- ¼ cup grapeseed oil
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, whisk together apricot preserves, rice vinegar, grapeseed oil, ginger, and garlic.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- This vinaigrette will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Citrus Mint Vinaigrette:
This light and refreshing dressing is perfect for a spring salad with seafood.
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine orange juice, lemon juice, olive oil, mint, and honey. Shake well to emulsify.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- This vinaigrette will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Blackberry Basil Vinaigrette:
This vibrant and flavorful dressing is perfect for a summer salad with goat cheese.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup fresh blackberries
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a blender, combine blackberries, red wine vinegar, olive oil, basil, and honey. Blend until smooth.
- Strain the vinaigrette to remove any blackberry seeds (optional).
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- This vinaigrette will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Mango Chile Vinaigrette:
This sweet and spicy dressing is perfect for a salad with grilled chicken or shrimp.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup chopped fresh mango
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped (adjust for desired spice level)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a blender, combine mango, lime juice, olive oil, jalapeño pepper, and cilantro. Blend until smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- This vinaigrette will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Each of the 5 vinaigrette recipes listed yields approximately (1/2 cup to 3/4 cup) of dressing. This amount is enough to dress a salad for 2-4 people, depending on how generously you like your salad dressing.
Here’s a breakdown:
- The recipes with softer fruits like strawberries and apricots will likely yield closer to 3/4 cup of dressing.
- The recipes with denser fruits or chilies (blackberries, mango) may be closer to 1/2 cup.
Remember, these are estimates, and the exact yield will depend on the juiciness of your fruit and the size of your other ingredients.
Remember: With any vinaigrette recipe, feel free to adjust the sweetness, acidity, and spice level to your taste preferences. Enjoy these unique and flavorful dressings with your spring salads!
Leave a Reply