Apple Cider Vinaigrette

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This homemade apple cider vinaigrette recipe is the perfect dressing for any salad! It’s easy to make in 5 minutes, flavorful, and has none of the processed ingredients found in store-bought salad dressings.

front view of Apple Cider Vinaigrette being poured onto a salad.

One of the ways I try to reduce process foods in our home is by making homemade versions of our favorite pantry staples, like this apple cider vinaigrette salad dressing.

I can honestly say I almost never purchase store-bought salad dressings. Homemade salad dressings like this Apple Cider Vinaigrette are easy to make (take less than 5 minutes), flavorful, and have none of the processed ingredients or preservatives that are found in store-bought salad dressings!

This particular Apple Cider Vinaigrette gets its flavor from apple cider vinegar, sesame seeds, spices, garlic and fresh onion! All off which are blended together in the Vitamix for a silky smooth texture that goes perfectly over any and every salad.

front view of a glass bottle filled with Apple Cider Vinaigrette dressing

Apple Cider Vinaigrette: Ingredients and Substitutions 

  • Apple Cider Vinegar.  white balsamic vinegar and regular balsamic vinegar are good substitutes.
  • Olive Oil. avocado oil or canola oil are good substitutes.
  • Sugar. Honey or maple syrup work well.
  • Sesame Seeds. You can substitute 1 tablespoon sesame seeds with 1 tablespoon tahini (which is sesame seed paste).
  • Dried Mustard. 1 Tablespoon prepared mustard is a good substitute.
  • Garlic Powder. Substitute 1 Tablespoon minced garlic for garlic powder if you wish.
  • Chopped Onion. use  ½ teaspoon onion powder in place of the diced onion, if desired.
apple cider salad dressing over a salad in a bowl

How to Make Apple Cider Vinaigrette

As you can see from the video, this apple cider vinegar dressing is easy to make! But as always, I will walk through the steps of making this healthy salad dressing to ensure your success!

Begin by adding all of the ingredients for this Apple Cider Vinaigrette recipe into the container of a Vitamix (or another high-powered blender), in the order listed in the recipe card (except for the water, we’ll add that later).

two photos showing how to make apple cider vinaigrette- putting ingredients in a blending container
two photos showing how to make apple cider vinaigrette- putting ingredients in a blending container

Next, secure the lid and blend for 15-30 seconds, until the mixture is smooth and homogenous (uniform throughout).

Then, add water as needed to give the dressing a pourable consistency. I usually add ¼ cup of water to reach a smooth, pourable consistency. However, the amount of water needed will vary depending on the nature of the ingredients you use! So start with 2 Tablespoons and work your way up from there.

front view of Apple Cider Vinaigrette after being blended in the vitamix

Store

You can use this Apple Cider Vinaigrette dressing immediately or put in a container in the refrigerator to use later.

I received this salad dressing bottle as a gift years ago and love it. I appreciate that it is large enough to hold a batch of dressing, has a secure lid, and that the shape of the bottle (tall and skinny) fits nicely in the door of my refrigerator! However you can store it in a mason jar or another container.

Front view of a hand putting the lid on a bottle of homemade Apple Cider Vinaigrette dressing

Serve

Serve this dressing over your favorite salad recipes! It really goes great with just about any combination of greens, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, etc.

front view of Apple Cider Vinaigrette being poured over a salad

Apple Cider Dressing FAQs

Can you make this Apple Cider Vinaigrette without a blender? 

Yes! You don’t need a blender. If desired you can put all the ingredients into a glass jar and shake to combine. If you do this you will have a “chunky’ dressing (bits of sesame seeds and onion floating in it), which is delicious but it will not resemble the photos!
You can also use a food processor to make this Apple Cider Vinaigrette, however it won’t be as smooth or creamy as if you use a Vitamix.

How long does Apple Cider Vinegar Salad Dressing Last?

This Apple Cider Vinaigrette dressing lasts 1-2 weeks when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator!

front view of Apple Cider Vinaigrette in a glass bottle

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Apple Cider Vinaigrette Dressing

Laura
This homemade apple cider vinaigrette recipe is the perfect dressing for any salad! It's easy to make in 5 minutes, flavorful, and has none of the processed ingredients found in store-bought salad dressings.
5 from 5 votes
Course condiment, dressing, Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 12 Servings
Calories 103.8
Prep Time3 minutes
Total Time5 minutes

Ingredients 
 

Instructions 

  • Put all ingredients except water into the container of a Vitamix blender (or a different high-powered blender).
  • Blend, starting on low speed and increasing to high for 15-30 seconds, until the mixture is smooth.
  • Add water and pulse until desired consistency is reached.
  • Transfer dressing from the blending container into a glass jar or salad dressing bottle.
  • Use on your favorite salad or store in the refrigerator to use later.

Video

Notes

If the dressing gets too thick, add more water and shake it up. You can mix by hand the dressing will just have a chunkier texture rather than creamy (with bits of onion, sesame seeds, etc. floating in it).
Ingredient Substitutions 
  • Apple Cider Vinegar.  white balsamic vinegar and regular balsamic vinegar are good substitutes.
  • Olive Oil. avocado oil or canola oil are good substitutes.
  • Sugar. Honey or maple syrup work well.
  • Sesame Seeds. You can substitute 1 tablespoon sesame seeds with 1 tablespoon tahini (which is sesame seed paste).
  • Dried Mustard. 1 Tablespoon prepared mustard is a good substitute.
  • Garlic Powder. Substitute 1 Tablespoon minced garlic for garlic powder if you wish.
  • Chopped Onion. use  ½ teaspoon onion powder in place of the diced onion, if desired.
Store
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Nutrition

Serving: 2Tablespoons | Calories: 103.8kcal | Carbohydrates: 5.3g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 9.7g | Saturated Fat: 1.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6.8g | Sodium: 44.3mg | Potassium: 15mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 45IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.1mg

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

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5 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This recipe is delicious! Is there an easier way to print your recipes? I didn’t see a PRINT option anywhere. Thanks!