About the Recipe
Make the best Apple Cider Vinaigrette Recipe in just 5 minutes with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, and garlic.
Fresh, tangy, lightly sweet, and incredibly versatile, this Best Apple Cider Vinaigrette Recipe is the kind of homemade dressing that can transform even the simplest bowl of greens. It comes together in just 5 minutes with a handful of familiar ingredients, making it an excellent choice for quick lunches, weeknight dinners, holiday salads, and weekly meal preparation. Once you discover how easy it is to make vinaigrette at home, you may never want to rely entirely on bottled dressing again.
Extra virgin olive oil creates the smooth, rich foundation of this dressing, while apple cider vinegar contributes bright acidity and a subtle fruity character. Honey gently softens the vinegar without making the dressing overly sweet. Dijon mustard adds a pleasant savory flavor and acts as an emulsifier, helping the oil and vinegar remain blended for longer. Fresh garlic, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper complete the vinaigrette with a simple but flavorful finish.
This homemade apple cider vinaigrette pairs beautifully with spinach, kale, arugula, mixed greens, and crisp garden salads. Its sweet and tangy flavor is especially delicious with apples, pears, dried cranberries, roasted squash, toasted nuts, sliced red onion, or crumbled cheese. It can also bring freshness to grain bowls, pasta salads, roasted vegetables, and hearty seasonal side dishes.
The dressing is equally useful as a marinade for chicken, pork, seafood, and vegetables. Make a jar at the beginning of the week and keep it refrigerated for a convenient way to add flavor to a variety of meals. Because the recipe uses basic pantry ingredients and requires no special equipment, it is an easy dressing to prepare whenever you need something fresh, flavorful, and dependable.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: About 2/3 cup, approximately 10 tablespoons
Ingredients
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Step 1: Combine the Ingredients
Add the extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper to a small mixing bowl or mason jar.
Step 2: Emulsify the Vinaigrette
Whisk until the dressing is smooth and fully combined. If using a mason jar, secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds, or until the vinaigrette is well blended.
Step 3: Taste and Adjust
Taste the vinaigrette and adjust it as desired. Add another pinch of salt to enhance the flavors or a little more honey for additional sweetness. For a tangier dressing, stir in 1 additional teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.
Step 4: Serve
Drizzle the vinaigrette over mixed greens, spinach, kale, arugula, pasta salads, roasted vegetables, or grain bowls. Serve immediately or refrigerate it until needed.
Notes
Store the apple cider vinaigrette in an airtight container or tightly sealed mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
The oil and vinegar will naturally separate during storage. Shake the jar vigorously or whisk the dressing thoroughly before each use.
Extra virgin olive oil may become cloudy or partially solidify when refrigerated.
Let the vinaigrette stand at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before shaking or whisking it again.
For an herby variation, add 1 teaspoon of freshly chopped parsley, basil, thyme, or chives.
When using the vinaigrette as a marinade, discard any portion that has come into contact with raw meat, poultry, or seafood. Do not reuse it as a dressing or serving sauce.
This recipe is naturally gluten-free when made with Dijon mustard and other packaged ingredients that are certified gluten-free. Check product labels and prevent cross-contact when serving someone with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
