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A simple vinaigrette dressing is so easy, and you probably already have all the ingredients in the pantry! This is my go-to recipe and really can work with nearly any salad.
If it's summer and the fresh garden herbs are overflowing, try this Lemon Herb Dressing!
Shake up a jar and if you love salads like I do, try these favorites:
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Ingredients and Variations
- Garlic - This is your big flavor! Mince up 1 clove of fresh garlic to add sharpness to balance the sweet honey.
- Salt and Pepper - A vinaigrette flavors your whole salad, so a generous seasoning with just salt and pepper will give your dressing that tangy goodness and let your other ingredients shine!
- Dijon Mustard - Dijon is an emulsifier, meaning it naturally helps oil and vinegar hold together. You can use regular dijon or the seedy country dijon mustard.
- Honey - Honey is optional, but I love a hint of sweetness to balance all the acidity in this mason jar vinaigrette. You can also substitute real maple syrup.
- Red OR White Wine Vinegar - The vinegar you choose will give you its own flavor, allowing you to make lots of variations with this basic recipe! I love white wine vinegar, but you can also use red wine, champagne, white or regular balsamic or even fresh lemon juice. You can also combine vinegars, adding in a bit of raspberry or tarragon vinegar with the basic white wine.
- Olive Oil - Use a good olive oil here, it brings a lot of flavor and creaminess to your dressing. Traditionally, a vinaigrette ratio uses more olive oil than vinegar, 3 to 1. I love the flavor punch that the vinegar brings, so I like to keep the vinegar and olive oil about equal parts. Makes it simpler to eyeball the amounts too!
Instructions
Salad dressing in a jar is meant to be easy! You can throw it together in a few minutes as dinner is just hitting the table!
Step 1 - First, mince a clove of garlic and add it to a jar along with the salt, pepper, mustard and honey.
Step 2 - Add the oil and vinegar and screw on the lid tightly.
Step 3 -Give it really well until it looks emulsified. Drizzle it over your favorite salad!
As it sits it will want to separate, which is why the jar is great, just shake it up again!
Storage
- Store this honey garlic vinaigrette in a jar in the fridge for a month.
- The olive oil will solidify in the fridge, so set it on the counter about 15 minutes before using so it can come back to room temperature. Then give it a good shake!
- A small jar of vinaigrette is plenty for several salads, just keep it in the door of your fridge as you would a store-bought dressing!
Vinaigrette Tips
- The basic vinaigrette ratio is 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar. I like the tangy vinegar taste, so to make it even simpler, I just do equal parts.
- After making your own vinaigrette a few times, you won't even need a recipe. Just add a small spoonful of dijon, honey, salt and pepper, mince in the garlic, and eyeball your oil and vinegar to be equal parts. Super easy!
- White or red wine vinegar are the basics, but you can try champagne, white or regular balsamic, or play around with combinations of your favorites like half white wine and half tarragon vinegar. You can also use fresh squeezed lemon juice in place of or in combination with some of the vinegar.
- Unlike your store-bought vinaigrette, you'll know exactly what's in your jars with no preservatives or sugar!
- A salad is an easy side dish when you just need something green and healthy, and if your dressing is already made and ready, you can throw it together in a few minutes!
- When your jar of dijon is almost gone, don't scrape out every last bit, make this salad dressing right in the mustard jar!
What to Serve with Mason Jar Vinaigrette
When you always have a homemade jar of vinaigrette in the door of your fridge, adding a quick salad to dinner is easy! Try your jar salad dressing on:
- Any basic veggie salad with lettuce, tomato, cucumber and croutons
- A fruit-nut-cheese salad, with ingredients like dried cranberries, pomegranate seeds, chopped apples, pears, or berries with different toasted nuts like walnuts, pine nuts, almonds, or pecans. Top it with cheese such as shaved Parmesan, goat cheese, feta, or blue cheese. Try my Pear Blue Cheese Salad with Glazed Honey Walnuts or this Blueberry Goat Cheese Salad.
- A salad for dinner like this Chopped Dinner Salad with Roasted Potatoes
Recipe FAQs
Yes! You can easily flavor this basic recipe to your liking. Adding dried thyme, oregano, basil or Italian seasoning are all delicious. You can add fresh herbs, although your dressing may not last quite as long in the fridge.
A basic vinaigrette can last up to a month in the fridge. The oil will solidify, so allow it to come to room temperature on the counter before each use and shake it well.
You can add a Tablespoon of mayonnaise or plain yogurt to give this basic vinaigrette a creamy consistency.
More Salad Recipes!
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Easy Vinaigrette in a Jar
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Print Pin RateEquipment
- 1 jar with a lid
Ingredients
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 8 grinds fresh black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ⅓ cup red OR white wine vinegar
- ⅓ cup olive oil
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a small jar with a lid and shake! Toss with your favorite salad!
- Store in the fridge for a month or more. After being refrigerated, set the dressing on the counter for 15 minutes until the oil comes to room temperature, then give it a good shake!
Notes
- You can use red or white wine vinegar, or try champagne or tarragon vinegar, white or regular balsamic, or even fresh lemon juice.
- This recipe is enough dressing for multiple salads. Nutrition information is for 1 full recipe (1 jar or about ⅔'s cup).
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