Homemade Strawberry Vinaigrette Recipe

If you’re a summer salad lover like me, you’ll appreciate this strawberry vinaigrette recipe.

Made with fresh strawberries and apple cider vinegar, it’s bright, fruity, and full of flavor. 

It provides a wonderfully refreshing taste to salads or grilled or raw veggies. And you can even use it as a marinade for chicken and other lean proteins. 

When it comes to homemade salad dressings, strawberry vinaigrette is one of my favorites.

Standard dressings, like ranch and Italian, have their place, of course. 

But if you want something vibrant, zesty, and flavorful, this vinaigrette is where it’s at.

And don’t worry; it isn’t too zingy. You’ll add honey or maple syrup for sweetness so it’s perfectly balanced.

Strawberry Vinaigrette Ingredients 

You won’t find many salad dressing recipes as simple as this one.

Here’s what you’ll need: 

• Strawberries: Fresh strawberries provide the best and boldest flavor. I don’t recommend frozen berries, as they contain too much excess moisture.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Use high-quality oil to help blend everything together. 

• Apple Cider Vinegar: You can use balsamic vinegar if you like. But I prefer apple cider vinegar because it gives a nice tang without overpowering. 

• Sweetener: Honey brings natural sweetness, and you don’t need to worry about grains (like with granulated sugar). Maple syrup is another great choice.

• Salt & Pepper: Season with good old S&P to tweak the dressing to your taste.

How to Make Strawberry Vinaigrette 

There’s really only one real step to this recipe: 

1. Blend the ingredients. That’s all it takes to have this vinaigrette ready for use. 

Having said that, you can drizzle the oil in slowly once everything else is smooth. That way, it will have a creamier, thicker finish.

Either way, it’s a delicious recipe.

Recipe Tips and Variations 

With a recipe this simple, you might not think you’d need any tips. But I have a few for you anyway, along with some variations to try. 

• Hate seeds? No problem! Strain the vinaigrette through a fine-mesh sieve. Doing so should remove the seeds, resulting in a smoother dressing overall. 

• Store leftovers properly. Remember to refrigerate any leftover vinaigrette in an airtight container. Also, be sure to shake the container each time before using it. 

• Use an alternate sweetener. Though I prefer honey or maple syrup, those aren’t your only sweetener options. If all else fails, you can stick to plain granulated sugar or try agave nectar. 

• Give it an umami finish. Want to dial up the savory aspect of this vinaigrette? Add a tablespoon of Dijon mustard and one clove of minced garlic. It’s amazing!

• Try other berries. If strawberries aren’t your thing, that’s okay. Try this recipe with raspberries, blueberries, or your favorite berries. 

Strawberry Vinaigrette Uses 

Use this strawberry vinaigrette in any of the following ways: 

• Salad dressing for your favorite summer salads
• Dipping sauce for raw fruits and veggies
• Dipping sauce for shrimp and other seafood
• Marinade for grilled chicken and other meats
• Drizzling sauce for grilled veggies
• Condiment for sandwiches, wraps, gyros, pinwheels, etc.

You can also make the vinaigrette up to 3 days in advance, bottle it, and give it as a gift!

Use ribbon or other decorations to make the bottle attractive. 

How to Store 

Storing strawberry vinaigrette is a breeze! 

To Store: Transfer it to an airtight bottle or container. Store in the fridge for up to a week.

Shake the container or use a spoon to stir the vinaigrette before each use.

More Homemade Vinaigrette Recipes to Try

White Balsamic Vinaigrette
Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette
Raspberry Vinaigrette
Balsamic Vinaigrette
Lemon Vinaigrette