The Only Salad Dressing Recipe You Need: Simple Vinaigrette Base
Make this versatile, healthy vinaigrette base in under five minutes. Use it for salads, grain bowls, or roasted vegetables.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 5 min
- Yield: About 3/4 cup
- Category: Dressing
- Method: Shaking/Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup vinegar (red wine, white wine, or apple cider)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Combine the vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a small jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- Pour the olive oil into the jar.
- Secure the lid tightly.
- Shake the jar vigorously for 30 seconds until the dressing emulsifies and thickens slightly.
- Taste the dressing and adjust salt, pepper, or vinegar as needed for your preference.
- Use immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Notes
- For a sweeter dressing, add 1 teaspoon of maple syrup or honey.
- To make a creamy dressing, add 1 tablespoon of tahini or plain Greek yogurt before shaking.
- For a lemon vinaigrette, substitute the vinegar with 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice.
- If the dressing separates during storage, let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes and shake again before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 Tablespoons
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 0.1
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Unsaturated Fat: 12
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 0.5
- Fiber: 0.1
- Protein: 0.2
- Cholesterol: 0