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? ›

Even diluted, the vinegar drink may not taste fabulous, so you can add a squeeze of honey and/or a dash of cinnamon or ginger. Sip the drink slowly. If you're drinking ACV daily, you may want to drink through a straw to prevent wearing the enamel of your teeth.

What is zesty apple cider vinaigrette? ›

This lively vinaigrette is made with apple cider vinegar, fruit juices, spices, and honey for a robust yet sweet flavor.

What cancels out the taste of apple cider vinegar? ›

Citrus fruits like lemon, lime, or orange can work wonders in cutting the taste of apple cider vinegar. Squeeze the juice of a citrus fruit into your vinegar mixture to add a refreshing and zesty twist to it. The citrusy flavors complement the tanginess of apple cider vinegar, making it much more enjoyable.

How to take bitterness out of vinaigrette? ›

A Splash Of Water Makes A Smoother-Tasting Vinaigrette

Most ingredients in salad dressings, especially vinaigrettes, bring pretty strong flavors — vinegar, citrus, herbs, onions, garlic, and so on. Adding a touch of water won't suppress all those flavors, it'll just tone down the acidic bite.

Why does homemade vinaigrette go bad? ›

How Long Does Homemade Vinaigrette Last? Traditional vinaigrettes, like the balsamic version listed below, will last longer—sometimes up to a few weeks. However, anything with fresh garlic should be consumed within a few days, as the combination of garlic and oil can form harmful bacteria over time.

How can I make apple cider vinegar more effective? ›

3 ways to try it
  1. In a large mug of warm water, mix 1 tablespoon of ACV with 2 tablespoons of honey for a throat tonic.
  2. For something tastier, try ginger tea with 1 to 2 teaspoons of ACV, honey, and coconut oil.
  3. Gargle 1 to 2 teaspoons of ACV with warm salt water for 20 to 30 seconds two to three times a day.
Oct 3, 2018

What neutralizes apple cider vinegar? ›

Combining apple cider vinegar with an alkaline compound, such as baking soda, may help neutralize some of its acidity.

What can I mix with apple cider vinegar to lose belly fat? ›

Apple Cider Vinegar And Tea: Add a teaspoon to a tablespoon of ACV to your tea. The best options are green tea, ginger tea, turmeric tea, and chai tea. These teas combat inflammation and can help you to burn fat.

Does apple cider vinaigrette go bad? ›

In general, opened bottles of ACV remain at their best quality for about 2 years. While the vinegar doesn't necessarily spoil or become unsafe to consume, its flavor profile may change, and it might lose some of its potency.

Is apple cider vinaigrette good for acid reflux? ›

Apple cider vinegar is a popular natural remedy for acid reflux and heartburn. However, research has not confirmed that it is safe or effective for acid reflux. Many home remedies can successfully alleviate the symptoms of acid reflux, heartburn, and other symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Does apple cider vinaigrette have sugar? ›

Soybean Oil, Water, Sugar, Distilled Vinegar, Apple Juice Concentrate, Apple Cider Vinegar, White Balsamic Vinegar, Contains Less Than 2% Of Modified Corn Starch, Salt, Natural Flavor, Xanthan Gum, Propylene Glycol Alginate, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Benzoate And Potassium Sorbate (Preservatives), Spice, Onion,* Garlic,* ...

Why does my apple cider vinegar taste weird? ›

A sealed bottle of apple cider vinegar will last indefinitely on your shelf; however, exposure to oxygen—which happens each time you open the bottle—changes the vinegar's taste and appearance over time. “That's why most vinegars are pasteurized and very well sealed, to protect them from oxygen,” Katz says.

What medications does apple cider vinegar interfere with? ›

A few medications may interact with apple cider vinegar:
  • Diabetes medication. People who take insulin or insulin-stimulating medications and consume vinegar may experience dangerously low blood sugar or potassium levels.
  • Digoxin (Lanoxin). This medication lowers your blood potassium levels. ...
  • Certain diuretic drugs.

Can apple cider vinegar clean out your liver? ›

“Apple cider vinegar is rich with detoxification properties and can promote circulation in the liver detox process,” says Jamie Bacharach, a homeopathic expert and the head of practice at Acupuncture Jerusalem.

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

What not to do when making a salad? ›

Here are 5 things to avoid when preparing a balanced salad:
  1. Use few vegetable varieties. ...
  2. Proteins: too much or too little. ...
  3. A little oil or no oil at all. ...
  4. Avoid carbohydrates. ...
  5. Avoid herbs.
Nov 20, 2014

How do you know if a 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.

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