Name: Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette
Prep time: 5 min
Ingredients: 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar; 1 tsp Dijon mustard; 1 tsp honey (or maple syrup for a vegan version); 1/2 tsp lemon juice (fresh is best); Salt & freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)

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Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

Hillary Rooney-Fernandes

A Simple, Flavorful Dressing for Fruity & Savory Salads

This homemade honey balsamic vinaigrette is the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory—and it comes together in just minutes with pantry staples. Whether you're tossing it with a fruit-forward salad like our Grilled Chicken & Blueberry Harvest Salad or drizzling it over roasted vegetables, this dressing brings bold, fresh flavor to every bite. Serve it with our Grilled Chicken & Blueberry Harvest Salad is a refreshing, nutrient-rich recipe that captures the best of seasonal eating in one colourful bowl. Perfect for lunch or a light dinner, it features a flavorful mix of grilled chicken, fresh blueberries, green apple slices, and a hearty bed of baby arugula and spinach—balanced beautifully with the creamy bite of blue cheese crumbles and the satisfying crunch of toasted walnuts and sunflower seeds. Thinly sliced red onion adds just the right amount of sharpness, tying the whole dish together with complex flavour and texture.

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Prep Time 5

Course Salad, Sauces & Dressings, Sauces, Butters and Dressings

Cuisine American, Mediterranean

Servings Cup

Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients

3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp honey or maple syrup for a vegan version
1/2 tsp lemon juice fresh is best
Salt & freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions

In a small bowl or jar, whisk together balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, and lemon juice until smooth.
Slowly pour in the olive oil while whisking to emulsify.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity as needed.
Use immediately or refrigerate in a sealed container.

Notes

Tips & Tricks:

Emulsify like a pro: For a smooth texture, whisk vigorously or shake in a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
Add complexity: A pinch of garlic powder or a teaspoon of finely minced shallot adds a savory twist.
Creamy version: Blend in 1 tsp Greek yogurt or mayo for a creamier, slightly thicker dressing.
Make it zesty: Swap lemon juice for orange juice for a brighter citrus note.
Want more depth? A splash of apple cider vinegar can add another layer of flavor.

Storage:

Refrigeration: Store the dressing in an airtight jar or bottle in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Separation is natural: Shake well before each use to re-emulsify the oil and vinegar.
Freezing? Not recommended—oil and vinegar dressings don’t freeze well and can separate upon thawing.

Elevate Every Salad with This Homemade Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

There’s something deeply satisfying about making your own salad dressing from scratch. Not only does it taste better than most store-bought versions, but it also gives you full control over the quality and balance of ingredients.

Our Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette has become a go-to in the Living Well Interiors kitchen. Why? Because it works with just about everything. It brings out the sweetness in fruits like blueberries and apples, cuts through richness from cheeses like blue or goat, and pairs beautifully with grilled proteins.

With only a handful of ingredients and zero additives, this vinaigrette is a quick way to upgrade your lunch or dinner game. We love drizzling it over our Grilled Chicken & Blueberry Harvest Salad, but it also shines over roasted root veggies, grain bowls, or even as a light marinade.

Best of all, once you master the basics, you can tweak it to suit your taste: go tangier, creamier, spicier—the foundation is yours to build on.

So next time you’re tempted to reach for the bottle in the fridge door, try whipping this up instead. It only takes five minutes, and your salad will thank you.

Nutrition

Calories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 0.3gFat: 42gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 31gSodium: 60mgPotassium: 32mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 4IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 0.5mg

Keyword balsamic dressing, clean eating condiment, dairy-free salad dressing, easy vinaigrette, gluten-free salad dressing, healthy dressing, homemade salad dressing, honey balsamic vinaigrette, quick dressing recipe, vinaigrette recipe

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Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette