This sweet and tangy strawberry balsamic dressing is the perfect addition to spring and summer salads. It uses just 6 ingredients and is ready in 5 minutes!
With spring on the horizon, it's time to start thinking about all things strawberries. This strawberry spinach salad is one of my favorite salads to make this time of year, and the strawberry balsamic dressing on it is so delicious that it deserves its own post.
The sweetness from the strawberries with a touch of maple syrup is balanced out by tangy balsamic vinegar and lemon juice. This strawberry balsamic dressing is the perfect combination for spring and summer salads.
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Why this recipe works
- Simple: This strawberry dressing uses just 6 ingredients, most of which are pantry staples. It works with fresh or frozen strawberries.
- Flavors: This is like a sweeter, vibrant pink balsamic vinegar. The sweet strawberries are balanced out by tangy lemon and balsamic, with a creamy texture from the blended strawberries.
- Easy to make: This strawberry balsamic dressing is made in a blender or food processor in just 5 minutes. Simply add all ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth!
This is one of my favorite creamy vegan salad dressings. Check out that post for more easy dressing ideas that you can make at home.
Ingredients
- Strawberries: Choose ripe, in-season strawberries for the best flavor. Frozen strawberries work well here, just make sure to thaw them first.
- Balsamic vinegar: Along with strawberries, this is the backbone of the dressing flavor. I don't recommend swapping this out with other vinegars. I do recommend spending money on good balsamic vinegar, because it can make a world of difference.
- Olive oil: I like to use light olive oil in salad dressings to avoid overpowering the dressing with rich olive flavor. Avocado oil also works here.
- Lemon juice: This adds brightness and balances out the sweetness from the strawberries. I recommend using fresh lemons.
- Maple syrup: Start with a small amount and adjust to taste. Riper strawberries require less maple syrup. If using less sweet out-of-season strawberries, use more maple syrup. Honey works too. Maple syrup also goes well in this maple dijon dressing.
Step-by-step instructions
I use a blender to make the strawberry dressing, but a food processor also works.
It's really easy. Just remove the stems from the strawberries. I slice the strawberries in half because I don't have the world's strongest blender, but this isn't necessary if you do have a super-strong blender.
Add the strawberries to the blender along with the other ingredients.
Blend until smooth. Taste for maple syrup and salt, adjusting as needed to reach your preferred level of sweetness.
Serving ideas
The beauty of such a flavorful salad dressing like this strawberry dressing is that it is an easy way to elevate simple greens.
My favorite way to serve it is with spinach, goat cheese, and strawberries in this simple spinach salad.
Another option is to massage kale and pair it with berries, quinoa, nuts, and chickpeas for a meal-worthy salad.
Storage tips
Storage: Strawberry balsamic dressing keeps for 3-4 days in the fridge. I like to refrigerate dressings in mason jars. Shake the dressing before using to re-emulsify the olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Freezing: I have not tried freezing this dressing, but I do think it should work. Let thaw overnight in the fridge when ready to use. Shake or stir well before using.
More easy salad dressings
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Recipe
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Strawberry Balsamic Dressing
Equipment
- 1 Blender or food processor
Ingredients
- ½ cup sliced strawberries see note #1
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil see note #2
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup adjust to taste
- ½ teaspoon dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Add additional maple syrup as needed. Store in a mason jar for up to 4 days. Shake the jar well before using.
Notes
- Strawberry prep: Slice the top off of the strawberries. Slice each strawberry in half, then fill measuring cup to measure out ½ cup strawberry slices.
- Frozen strawberries work in place of fresh ones. Let thaw before blending.
- Olive oil: I prefer light olive oil for salad dressings. Avocado oil also works.
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