Welcome to the world of vibrant flavors with this exquisite Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe! This dressing isn’t just tangy and sweet; it’s bursting with fresh, dynamic flavors that will elevate any meal. Imagine it drizzled over a crisp salad adorned with fresh berries, juicy peaches, crunchy candied nuts, and creamy goat cheese. It’s truly a summer essential, but delightful any time of year.

For those who love crafting their own dressings, you might also enjoy our other favorites, like a zesty Honey Mustard Salad Dressing or a sophisticated Cherry Balsamic Salad Dressing.

The Ultimate Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette: A Recipe for Freshness

While the initial inspiration for this exceptional balsamic vinaigrette comes from my talented friend, Jessica Gavin, author of an amazing cookbook focused on making cooking effortless and scientifically sound, I am thrilled to share my passion for it with you! Her culinary insights simplify complex recipes, and if you adore this vinaigrette, you’ll undoubtedly find a treasure trove of culinary delights within her pages.

It’s no secret that I have a profound love for salads—and fortunately, my entire family shares this enthusiasm! We often find ourselves ordering salads even when dining out. I believe our collective adoration stems from the fact that I consistently craft salads with the most exciting, fresh toppings and, crucially, always pair them with incredible homemade dressings. A truly outstanding dressing is the heart and soul of any memorable salad, transforming simple greens into a gourmet experience.

This particular homemade strawberry balsamic vinaigrette is a masterpiece of flavor: wonderfully creamy, perfectly sweet, with just the right amount of tangy zest. It encapsulates the essence of summer in every drop, making it the ideal companion for light, refreshing meals. Prepare yourself for a delightful taste experience!

Why Make Your Own Strawberry Vinaigrette?

There’s an undeniable magic to homemade salad dressings. Beyond the sheer satisfaction of creating something delicious from scratch, making your own Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette offers several compelling advantages:

• Unmatched Freshness: Store-bought dressings often contain preservatives and artificial flavors. By making your own, you control every ingredient, ensuring peak freshness and vibrant, natural taste.
• Customizable Flavor Profile: Do you prefer it sweeter? More tart? A hint of spice? When you’re in the kitchen, you can tweak the ratios to perfectly match your palate. This recipe provides an excellent foundation, but feel free to experiment!
• Healthier Choice: You dictate the quality of oil, the amount of sugar, and avoid unwanted additives. This means a cleaner, often healthier dressing that you can feel good about serving to your family.
• Cost-Effective: While high-quality ingredients are key, making dressing at home is often more economical than repeatedly purchasing gourmet bottled versions.
• Impress Your Guests: A homemade dressing is a simple yet impressive touch that elevates any meal, showing care and culinary skill.

Key Ingredients for the Perfect Strawberry Vinaigrette

The secret to an exceptional vinaigrette lies in the quality and balance of its ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need and why each component is vital:

• Fresh Strawberries: These are the star of the show! Always opt for ripe, sweet strawberries. The riper they are, the more natural sweetness and intense flavor they’ll impart, reducing the need for added sweeteners. Avoid any berries that appear mushy or overly soft, as they can indicate a lack of freshness.
• Water: A small amount of water helps achieve the desired consistency, thinning out the strawberry puree just enough to create a smooth, pourable vinaigrette without diluting the flavor.
• Balsamic Vinegar: This is a crucial element, offering a deep, sweet-tart complexity that beautifully complements the strawberries. Balsamic vinegar is typically thicker and richer than regular vinegars, adding a sophisticated depth to the dressing. For best results, use a good quality balsamic vinegar.
• Minced Shallot: Shallots provide a delicate, mild onion flavor with a hint of garlic, which is less pungent than regular onion but adds a wonderful aromatic foundation to the dressing. If you’re in a pinch, finely minced sweet onion can be a substitute, but use a smaller amount to avoid overpowering the strawberries.
• Dijon Mustard: More than just flavor, Dijon mustard acts as an emulsifier, helping the oil and vinegar bind together to create a smooth, creamy texture that won’t easily separate. I personally love Grey Poupon® Dijon for its consistent quality and balanced flavor (not sponsored, just a genuine recommendation).
• Honey: This natural sweetener enhances the strawberries’ inherent sweetness and balances the tanginess of the balsamic vinegar. If your strawberries aren’t particularly sweet, you might want to add a little more honey to achieve your desired balance.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that bring out and harmonize all the other flavors. I always recommend using fine sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper for the best results, as their nuanced flavors make a noticeable difference.
• Olive Oil: A high-quality extra virgin olive oil not only contributes its own distinct, fruity flavor but is also crucial for creating a stable emulsion with the vinegar. When blended correctly, it yields a smooth, rich, and well-integrated dressing.

Expert Tips for the Best Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette

Making a truly memorable homemade vinaigrette is simple with a few key considerations. Follow these tips to ensure your Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette is always a success:

• Prioritize Quality Ingredients: This cannot be stressed enough. The flavor of your dressing is directly proportional to the quality of your ingredients. Sweet, perfectly ripe strawberries, a premium balsamic vinegar, and a good extra virgin olive oil will make an enormous difference in the final taste and texture of your vinaigrette.
• Taste and Adjust: The beauty of homemade dressing is the ability to customize. After blending, always taste your dressing. Is it too sweet? Add a tiny bit more balsamic or a squeeze of lemon juice. Not sweet enough? A touch more honey will do the trick. Want more zing? A little extra Dijon or shallot can intensify the flavor. Adjust slowly until it perfectly suits your preference.
• Chill for Enhanced Flavor: If time allows, prepare your dressing in advance. Transfer it to an airtight jar and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally a few hours, before serving. Chilling allows the flavors to meld and deepen, resulting in a more harmonious and robust taste.
• Scale the Recipe: This recipe yields a generous amount of vinaigrette, typically enough for two or three large salads. If you’re cooking for one or two people and prefer fresh dressing frequently, consider halving the recipe to ensure you use it all within its optimal freshness window.
• Emulsification is Key: When adding the olive oil, do so slowly while the blender is running on low. This gradual addition helps create a stable emulsion, preventing the oil and vinegar from separating too quickly. A well-emulsified vinaigrette will have a creamy, uniform texture.
• Proper Storage Container: Always store your vinaigrette in a tightly sealed jar or container. This prevents air exposure, which can degrade freshness and flavor, and helps maintain its emulsion.

Creative Ways to Use Your Strawberry Vinaigrette

This versatile Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette isn’t just for salads; its bright, sweet-tangy profile makes it a fantastic addition to a variety of dishes. Here are some inspiring ideas to put your homemade dressing to delicious use:

Beyond the Classic Salad Bowl:

• Fruit & Berry Salads: Drizzle it generously over a mixed berry and fruit salad. It’s particularly divine with peaches, melon, grapes, and of course, more strawberries and blackberries, especially when paired with creamy cheeses and crunchy nuts.
• Glazed Roasted Vegetables: Instead of traditional balsamic glaze, try this vinaigrette over roasted carrots, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts. Drizzle it over the cooled vegetables for a beautiful sheen and burst of flavor.
• Grain Bowls: Elevate a Spring Quinoa Salad or any grain bowl by using this vinaigrette instead of a standard lemon-based dressing. It adds a fruity, sophisticated twist that complements ingredients like grilled chicken, chickpeas, and fresh herbs.
• Marinade for Poultry or Fish: The acidity in the balsamic vinegar and strawberries makes this an excellent tenderizer and flavor infuser for chicken breasts, pork tenderloin, or flaky white fish before grilling or baking.
• Flank Steak Salad: For a hearty and flavorful main dish, arrange slices of grilled flank steak over a bed of mixed greens. Spoon on some refreshing strawberry mango salsa and finish with a generous drizzle of this vinaigrette. The flavors are a match made in heaven!
• Massage into Kale Salads: Tougher greens like kale benefit greatly from a light massage with dressing. Follow the technique in this kale salad recipe, then toss with your strawberry balsamic vinaigrette, fresh berries, and perhaps some toasted nuts for a perfectly softened and flavorful kale salad.
• Bruschetta Topping: Mix some of the vinaigrette with diced fresh tomatoes, basil, and a little red onion, then spoon over toasted baguette slices for a sweet and savory bruschetta.
• Caprese Salad Enhancement: Take your Caprese salad to the next level. Alternate slices of fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and basil leaves, then drizzle generously with this vinaigrette for an unforgettable twist on a classic.

More Delicious Salad Recipes to Explore

If you’re as passionate about fresh salads as we are, be sure to check out these other fantastic recipes:

• Hearty Lentil Salad with a zesty lemon dressing
• Refreshing Strawberry Salad with a bright citrus dressing
• Classic Panzanella Salad featuring a rich balsamic dressing
• Exotic Mango Salad paired with a creamy dressing
• Timeless Cobb Salad featuring an aromatic herb dressing

Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette

By Chelsea Lords

This tangy, sweet Strawberry Vinaigrette is an absolute game-changer for fresh salads loaded with berries, peaches, candied nuts, and creamy cheese! It’s incredibly flavorful, super fresh, and easy to make at home.

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Yields: 12 servings

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Equipment

• Small blender

Ingredients

Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette

• 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon minced shallot
• 1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (fine sea salt recommended)
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper (freshly cracked recommended)
• 1/2 cup olive oil (extra virgin)

Berry Salad (Pairs well with the dressing)

• 5 ounces spring mix lettuce blend (approx. 6 cups; I use 50/50 blend spinach and spring mix leaves)
• 1 large ripe peach, sliced into wedges (pit removed)
• 1 cup strawberries, sliced in half
• 1/2 cup blackberries
• 1/2 cup sliced honey roasted almonds (store-bought are great!)
• 1/3 cup goat cheese or crumbled feta cheese

Instructions

1. Prepare the Vinaigrette: Combine sliced strawberries, water, balsamic vinegar, minced shallots, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a small blender. Blend on high speed until a completely smooth puree is formed, which typically takes about 10 seconds.
2. Emulsify: With the blender still running on low speed, slowly stream in the olive oil. Continue blending until the dressing thickens and is thoroughly emulsified into a creamy consistency. Taste the vinaigrette and adjust seasonings (more honey for sweetness, more balsamic for tang, salt/pepper) as desired. Transfer the finished dressing to an airtight jar and refrigerate until you are ready to serve. Chilling for at least 30 minutes allows flavors to meld beautifully.
3. Assemble the Salad: Wash and thoroughly dry all the fruit and lettuce. In a large bowl, place the mixed green lettuce. For optimal freshness and texture, only add the almonds, cheese, and dressing to the portions of salad that will be consumed on the same day. Top the greens with sliced peaches, halved strawberries, fresh blackberries, honey roasted almonds, and goat cheese (or feta).
4. Serve: Just before serving, drizzle the desired amount of homemade Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette over the salad. For a salad of this size, approximately 1/3 of the dressing recipe is usually perfect. Enjoy immediately for the best experience!

Recipe Notes

Batch Size: This dressing recipe yields a generous quantity—enough to dress about 2 to 3 large salads of the type included above. Given that it contains fresh strawberries, it’s best consumed within 2 days when stored in the refrigerator. If you anticipate not using the entire batch within this timeframe, we recommend halving the dressing ingredients.

Nutrition Information: The provided nutrition breakdown is an estimation based on a serving size of 2 tablespoons of dressing per individual. Please note that your actual nutritional intake may vary depending on the exact amount of dressing you use and any additional salad toppings.

Storage Best Practices: For optimal enjoyment, it is recommended to use the dressing the same day it is made. However, any leftover vinaigrette can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When storing the accompanying berry salad for leftovers, do not add the almonds, cheese, or dressing until immediately before serving the individual portions. These ingredients tend to get soggy quickly once dressed.

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 164 kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 142mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 99IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be considered an approximation.