Apple Cider Vinaigrette Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2024)

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Apple cider vinaigrette is a staple dressing for adding a burst of bright, tangy flavor to your favorite salads. Make it from scratch and you won’t want it any other way!

I have been pretty obsessed with homemade salad dressings recently. They’re just so good! No matter what you add them to, it takes the flavor to the next level! Plus, you know exactly what’s going into them so you don’t have to worry about preservatives or artificial flavors! You’ve got to try making homemade ranch, copycat Olive Garden dressing, and lemon vinaigrette next.

Apple Cider Vinaigrette Recipe - The Recipe Critic (1)

Homemade Apple Cider Vinaigrette Recipe

When it comes to salad dressings, apple cider vinaigrette is one of the best. It’s silky smooth and has a tangy flavor that works with both sweet and savory salads! The consistency is my favorite, too. It adds just the right amount of flavor without being too thick and heavy.

And if you’re not already convinced, apple cider vinegar does wonders for the body. Anything that’s both healthy and delicious is a win in my book! Apple cider vinegar is packed with probiotics for healthy digestion and can help with weight loss and lowering cholesterol! You are going to LOVE having this homemade dressing on hand and want to put it on everything. I know I have!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Nothing fancy here! All you need is some apple cider vinegar and a few other simple ingredients from your pantry. Measurements for each ingredient can be found below in the recipe card!

  • Apple Cider Vinegar: This gives the vinaigrette its signature tangy and fruity flavor.
  • Honey: Adds sweetness and helps your vinaigrette become nice and smooth.
  • Dijon Mustard: Helps to thicken your dressing a little and adds the best pop of tangy flavor!
  • Garlic: The savory flavor of garlic balances the sweetness of the apple cider vinegar perfectly.
  • Kosher Salt: I always go for kosher salt instead of table salt because it doesn’t have a bitter aftertaste. Sea salt works, too!
  • Cracked Black Pepper: For an extra hint of flavor!
  • Olive Oil: Helps to coat your greens with all of the delicious herbs and flavors in the dressing. I used extra-virgin olive oil!

How to Make Apple Cider Vinaigrette

This vinaigrette mixes up in minutes which is great when you have a busy schedule. I make a batch for myself at the start of each week for quick and easy lunches. You won’t want takeout salads when you have this tasty dressing around!

  1. Whisk: In a bowl or jar, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper.
  2. Add Olive Oil: In a steady stream, pour in the olive oil whisking as you add it. Whisk until smooth and incorporated.
  3. Serve: Chill in the refrigerator in a sealable container until you’re ready to serve with your salad!
Apple Cider Vinaigrette Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2)

Tips and Variations

You can easily adjust the flavor of this apple cider vinaigrette to your preference! Here are a few tips to get you started.

  • Adjust Flavor: If you feel that the flavor of your dressing is too strong, you can add more olive oil to make it milder.
  • Olive Oil Substitutes: You can swap olive oil out with just about any light salad oil. Just keep in mind that the oil you use may alter the flavor of your vinaigrette slightly. Soybean, avocado, and walnut oil are just a handful of the many types you can use!
  • Add Herbs: Adding herbs to your homemade dressings is a great way to infuse extra flavor! I always like adding a pinch of Italian seasoning.
Apple Cider Vinaigrette Recipe - The Recipe Critic (3)

How Long Does Homemade Apple Cider Vinaigrette Last?

Your homemade vinaigrette will last in the fridge for one week in an airtight container like a mason jar. The ingredients may separate as it sits, so give it a shake or stir before you use it!

Apple Cider Vinaigrette Recipe - The Recipe Critic (4)

More Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes

I’m sure that once you start making dressings and vinaigrettes from scratch, you’ll be as hooked as I am. You can’t beat their fresh, delicious flavor! Check out these other recipes to take all of your salads to the next level!

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Apple Cider Vinaigrette

By: Alyssa Rivers

Apple cider vinaigrette is a staple dressing for adding a burst of bright, tangy flavor to your favorite salads. Make it from scratch and you won’t want it any other way!

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a bowl or jar, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper.

  • In a steady stream, pour in the olive oil whisking as you add it. Whisk until smooth and incorporated.

  • Chill in the refrigerator in a sealable container until you're ready to serve with your salad!

Nutrition

Serving: 2tbspCalories: 195kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 0.1gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gSodium: 161mgPotassium: 20mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 2IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 3mgIron: 0.2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dressing

Cuisine: American

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

Read More About Me

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Apple Cider Vinaigrette Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2024)

FAQs

What are some common mistakes to avoid when making vinaigrette? ›

12 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Making Homemade Vinaigrette
  • Estimating measurements for all ingredients. inspiredbyart/Shutterstock. ...
  • Using the wrong oil. ...
  • Using the wrong vinegar. ...
  • Leaving out the emulsifier. ...
  • Skipping the mustard. ...
  • Forgetting to check expiration dates. ...
  • Not using fresh herbs. ...
  • Using vinaigrette only on salad.
Aug 18, 2022

What to mix with apple cider vinegar to make it taste better? ›

Spices and herbs can go a long way in balancing the taste of apple cider vinegar. Try adding a pinch of cinnamon, ginger, or turmeric to your vinegar mixture. These aromatic seasonings not only help cut the acidity but also provide additional health benefits and flavors to your recipes.

What are the ingredients in PC apple cider vinaigrette? ›

Ingredients: canola oil, water, prepared dijon mustard (water, mustardseeds, white vinegar, salt, citric acid, turmeric), apple cider vinegar,sugars (concentrated apple juice, evaporated cane syrup), white vinegar,salt, mustard seeds, garlic powder, spices, onion powder.

What is the stabilizer in a vinaigrette? ›

An emulsifier is used in a vinaigrette to stabilize the oil and vinegar. Common emulsifiers include egg yolks, soy lecithin, and mustard. These ingredients all include lecithin--the stabilizing compound. In many vinaigrettes, mustard is the go-to stabilizer.

How do you cut the bitterness out of a vinaigrette? ›

Sweetness balances out acidity, spice, and bitterness. A salad composed of bitter greens may benefit from a sweeter dressing. But sweetness can come from sources other than one-note white sugar; consider honey, pureed dates, maple syrup, jam, or molasses as sweeteners that also add flavor and mouth-feel.

Why do you put lemon in apple cider vinegar? ›

Lemon water with apple cider vinegar has a host of potential health benefits. First, lemon water can help to alkalize your body and remove toxins. Second, apple cider vinegar is a natural antibiotic and antiviral agent. Finally, lemon water is hydrating and energizing.

What balances out apple cider vinegar? ›

Mixing in a sprinkle of common alkaline ingredients, like baking soda or baking powder, can often salvage a dish. If this still hasn't done the trick, adding neutral flavors, like sour cream or yogurt, can also help balance out the flavors.

What is the most effective way to use apple cider vinegar? ›

You can stir it into a glass of water and drink it before meals or mix it with oil to make a salad dressing. Apple cider vinegar is more likely to aid weight loss when combined with other diet and lifestyle changes.

What is the mother in apple cider vinegar? ›

The fermentation process

Secondly, good bacteria are added, which helps to convert the alcohol into acetic acid. A thick, gelatinous layer is formed by the acetic acid bacteria on the surface of the vinegar. This layer is known as 'The Mother' because it is the catalyst that gives rise to the vinegar.

Is apple cider vinaigrette good for you? ›

A 2020 review of studies in both humans and animals noted that apple cider vinegar may potentially benefit levels of high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and total cholesterol. A 2021 review of research in humans found that apple cider vinegar may benefit total cholesterol levels.

What is the difference between apple cider vinegar with the mother and regular apple cider vinegar? ›

ACV comes in two types, with the 'mother' and without. In simple terms, apple cider vinegar with the mother just means that it contains the good bacteria created during the fermenting process. ACV without the mother has this bacteria filtered out.

What is the best yeast for apple cider vinegar? ›

The most commonly used yeast is a champagne yeast. Being a very aggressive yeast, it ferments quickly to a very clean, dry flavor that suits the apple character very well. This yeast is cheap, easy to use, and makes a delicious, consistent beverage.

How do you know when homemade apple cider vinegar is ready? ›

After about a week or two you will notice the juice has become a bit murky and possibly a new vinegar mother has started to form at the surface. That's good. Start tasting the vinegar at the 30 day mark. If its still on the sweet side leave to ferment a few days longer and taste again.

How to make mother apple cider vinegar? ›

Combine hard cider and mother in a sterilized mason jar. Cover with a piece of material or cheesecloth and secure with a rubber band to allow oxygen in and keep insects out. Place in a warm, dark(ish) place and wait for the mother to convert the alcohol to vinegar. The vinegar smell is unmistakable when it is ready.

What should you avoid when dressing a salad? ›

5 Ingredients To Avoid
  1. Palm Oil. Palm oil can pop up in both creamy and oily dressings, and it's a top ingredient that Taub-Dix said to avoid. ...
  2. Sugar (but it's rarely called sugar) ...
  3. Salt. ...
  4. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) ...
  5. Coconut oil.
Jan 24, 2024

How do you know if homemade vinaigrette is bad? ›

According to Reader's Digest, oil-based salad dressings, such as a balsamic vinaigrette or Italian dressing, tend to last longer than mayo-based dressings. In general, these dressings can last for up to a few weeks (via Know Your Pantry). However, once they've expired, they will give off a noticeable rancid smell.

What are the seven things that you should not do when preparing the salad? ›

Common Salad Mistakes
  1. Here are seven things you should NOT do when making salads: Too much dressing. ...
  2. Pouring on the dressing. ...
  3. Wet salad leaves. ...
  4. Not seasoning it. ...
  5. Subpar salad dressings. ...
  6. Uncreative toppings. ...
  7. Served in a bowl.
May 13, 2013

Why does homemade vinaigrette go bad? ›

Homemade salad dressings incorporate a variety of fresh ingredients such as fresh garlic, herbs, and citrus juices, which contribute to a very delicious and vibrant taste. However, these ingredients are perishable and, therefore, can shorten the dressing's shelf life.

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