This Maple Balsamic Dressing recipe is delicious and so versatile! A perfect combination of tangy balsamic, spicy dijon, and a touch of sweet maple syrup. It's great for salads and grain bowls in the fall and winter. 😊
As a dietitian, I prefer making dressing at home when I can and this balsamic vinaigrette recipe is great to pair with a Beet and Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese or Kale Harvest Salad with Sweet Potatoes.
It only takes a couple minutes to make and will last in the fridge for a week! There's just something about homemade salad dressings that takes a good salad to a GREAT salad. I hope you enjoy. 😊
More Healthy Salad Dressings
- Simple Lemon Dijon Maple Dressing
- Honey Lemon Vinaigrette
- Creamy Maple Tahini Dressing
- Ginger Lime Salad Dressing
- Healthy Sesame Ginger Dressing
- Creamy Southwest Salad Dressing
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Key Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
This Maple Balsamic Dressing is made with simple ingredients. Below are some notes. Check the recipe card at the bottom for measurements and full recipe.
- Balsamic Vinegar - this is the main ingredient so I suggest using a good quality balsamic vinegar to add complex flavor. An aged balsamic vinegar works best. It's a bit sweeter and the flavor gets better as it ages!
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil - extra-virgin olive oil balances out the flavor of the balsamic. It also contains heart-healthy fats that are also good for brain health and hormone health.
- Dijon Mustard - Dijon mustard is made from black mustard seeds which makes it slightly more spicy than your typical yellow mustard. It pairs so well with the maple syrup and also acts as a natural emulsifier.
- Maple Syrup -a bit of real maple syrup adds a hint of sweetness and balances out the other salty and savory flavors in this homemade vinaigrette.
- Garlic - fresh minced garlic adds flavor.
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper - to tie everything together.
How to Make Maple Balsamic Dressing
Below are the instructions for how to make this recipe with a visual that I hope is helpful! Check out the recipe card at the bottom for the full recipe.
Finely mince or grate the garlic. Then whisk the dressing ingredients in a small bowl or add them to a mason jar and give it a good shake.
Dietitian Tip
Making homemade dressings like this easy Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing can feel intimidating! But it's as easy as mixing a few ingredients. Not only does making dressing at home taste amazingly fresh, it also gives you more control over the ingredients and the flavor.
Variations
The best part about this Maple Balsamic Dressing is you can customize to your taste! Below are some ideas.
- Spicy - add crushed red pepper flakes to add a bit of kick to this flavorful dressing!
- Sweeter - if you prefer a sweet dressing, add extra maple syrup.
- Lemon - a squeeze of lemon would brighten this dressing up and add even more flavor!
Ideas for Serving Maple Balsamic Dressing
Now that you have a batch of this versatile dressing, enjoy it on a variety of different dishes! The best way to eat it is the way you enjoy it the most! Here are some ideas:
- On Your Favorite Salads - add this dressing to up-level a simple salad. One of my favorite ways to use this dressing is on a Roasted Beet and Arugula Salad. This dressing also pairs great with a strawberry and spinach salad or other green salad.
- Caprese Style Salad - pour a bit of this dressing over some tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella for a perfect caprese style salad!
- Grain Bowl or Pasta Salad- add it to quinoa bowls and grain bowls or a fall inspired pasta salad!
- Over Roasted Vegetables - drizzle it on top of warm roasted veggies like these Roasted Cauliflower and Carrots. Brussels sprouts, potatoes, sweet potato fries, or other root vegetables go great with this dressing too.
- With Fruit - the flavors of this dressing pair well with fresh fruit like berries or citrus fruit.
- With Savory Meals - it's a great marinade for pork chops, pork tenderloin, or with chicken meatballs.
Storage for Maple Balsamic Dressing
- Refrigerator - Store leftover dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-7 days. It's normal for the oil and vinegar to separate and even solidify a bit in the fridge. Simply take it out and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes and then shake to combine before using it on your recipe.
Expert Tips
- Finely mince your garlic using a garlic press or grate it.
- The ingredient flavors in this balsamic vinegar dressing recipe can vary a bit based on brand and variety so taste your dressing once it's mixed and adjust it if needed by adding more salt or syrup.
FAQ
While healthy means something different to everyone, this Maple Balsamic Dressing is a nutrient-rich option. It contains heart-healthy extra-virgin olive oil that has also been shown to support brain health and hormone health. And balsamic vinegar contains antioxidants reduce oxidative stress and improve overall health.
Absolutely! The taste will be slightly different but it still tastes great! If using garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon is all you need.
I do suggest using extra-virgin olive oil for this recipe. It is olive oil in it’s purest form (least processed) so it retains all the antioxidants and nutrients from the olive itself.
Related
Looking for other dietitian recipes like this? Try these:
Perfect for Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Maple Balsamic Dressing:
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Here are some nutrition education articles from a dietitian:
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! I would love to hear from you! If you made this recipe, please leave me a review below or tag me in a photo or story on Instagram. Your reviews help support me and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you know and love. 🙂 IG: @mallorythedietitian
📖 Recipe
Maple Balsamic Dressing Recipe (from dietitian)
Equipment
- 1 mason jar optional
Ingredients
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ½ tablespoon dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 clove garlic (or ¼ teaspoon garlic powder)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- dash black pepper
Instructions
- Finely mince or grate the garlic. Then whisk the dressing ingredients in a small bowl or add them to a mason jar and give it a shake
Notes
- Finely mince your garlic using a garlic press or grate it.
- The ingredient flavors in this balsamic vinegar dressing recipe can vary a bit based on brand and variety so taste your dressing once it's mixed and adjust it if needed!
Natalie J.
I've used this dressing on so many different salads and it's always a hit! Thanks for the recipe!
Mallory
Hi Natalie,
Thank you so much for taking time to leave a rating and review - it truly means so much to me! I'm so happy you're enjoying the salad dressing! -Mallory