This Maple Balsamic Dressing recipe is so simple and delicious! A perfect combination of tangy balsamic, robust olive oil, spicy dijon, and a touch of sweet maple syrup. I love to use this dressing on salads in the fall when Autumn leaves are falling.
As a dietitian, I prefer making dressing at home when I can and this delicious balsamic vinaigrette recipe is great to pair with a Beet and Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese.
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. 😊 Try my homemade lemon dijon vinaigrette next!
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Key Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
This Maple Balsamic Dressing is made with simple ingredients. Below are some ingredient notes. Be sure to check the printable recipe card at the bottom for exact ingredient measurements and full recipe.
- Balsamic Vinegar - this is the main ingredient and a great Balsamic Vinaigrette recipe starts with a high-quality balsamic vinegar to give it that tangy and complex flavor we all love. If possible and available to you, use an aged balsamic vinegar. 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. I suggest to use a good quality olive oil for this recipe.
- Dijon Mustard - Dijon mustard is made from black mustard seeds which makes it slightly more spicy than your typical yellow mustard. A little bit of dijon is my favorite way to add some tang and spice to this dressing and it pairs so well with the maple syrup. Feel free to leave it out if you want.
- 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 - a great balsamic recipe would not be complete without some fresh minced garlic to add a bit of spice.
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper - to tie all the flavors together.
How to Make Maple Balsamic Dressing
Below are the instructions for how to make this easy recipe for Maple Balsamic with some visuals that I hope are helpful! Don't forget to 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 shake.
Dietitian Tip
Making homemade salad dressing recipes 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. And while store-bought dressings have preservatives and artificial ingredients, there's no need for that with simple homemade dressings. You got this!
Variations
The best part about this Maple Balsamic Dressing is you can customize to your taste! Below are some ideas, but feel free to get creative.
- Spicy - add crushed red pepper flakes to add a bit of kick to this flavorful dressing!
- Sweeter - if you prefer a sweet dressing, add a bit 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 to make a Roasted Beet and Arugula Salad, a colorful salad that uses Maple Balsamic Dressing in the recipe. This dressing also pairs beautifully with a strawberry and spinach salad and any 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 Grain Salads- make a grain bowl with brown rice or quinoa, leafy greens, pickled red onion or shallot, napa cabbage, hummus, tomatoes and chicken salad, shrimp, or tofu tossed with maple vinegar dressing, fresh herbs, and parmesan cheese or feta cheese on top.
- Over Roasted Vegetables - drizzle a couple Tablespoons on top of warm roasted veggies like these Roasted Cauliflower and Carrots. Brussels sprouts, potatoes, or other root vegetables go great with this dressing too. For even more flavor, add fresh rosemary or fresh thyme on top. It goes great with sweet potato fries too!
- With Fruit - the flavors of this dressing pair so well with fresh fruit like berries or citrus fruit.
- With Savory Meals - it's a great marinade for pork chops, pork tenderloin, or chicken.
Storage for Maple Balsamic Dressing
- Refrigerator: Store leftover dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 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. I don't suggest using a jar of pre-minced garlic for this recipe even though you can if it's the only option! I personally feel the fresh garlic makes a difference in the end product.
- 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! If you like your dressings on the sweeter side, add a bit more syrup. If you prefer it on the tangier side, add a bit more dijon or balsamic. If you prefer it more robust, bump up the extra virgin olive oil a bit.
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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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….I LOVE knowing there’s people out there trying out my recipes! 🙂 IG: @mallorythedietitian
📖 Recipe
Maple Balsamic Dressing Recipe (from dietitian)
Equipment
- 1 mason jar optional
Ingredients
- ⅓ 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 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. I don't suggest using a jar of pre-minced garlic for this recipe even though you can if it's the only option! I personally feel the fresh garlic makes a difference in the end product.
- 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! If you like your dressings on the sweeter side, add a bit more syrup. If you prefer it on the tangier side, add a bit more dijon or balsamic. If you prefer it more robust, bump up the extra virgin olive oil a bit.
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