Easy Vinaigrette in a Jar is a kitchen basic, and an easy homemade staple to meal prep for the week, or longer, in only 5 minutes! I always have a little jar or two of homemade salad dressing in my fridge – Balsamic Vinaigrette and Red Wine Vinaigrette. Nothing fancy, and nothing could be easier ~ make them right in a jar and just shake it!
Instructions
The basic vinaigrette ratio is 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar. I like the vinegar taste, so to make it even simpler, I just do equal parts and eyeball it. Using half pint canning jars (1 cup each, or 8 oz), start with the seasonings. Then fill half way with your vinegar of choice. I usually use red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar, but champagne or white wine vinegar are great too. You can also use fresh squeezed lemon juice in place of or in addition to the vinegar, use a bit less than equal parts with the oil. Fill the rest of the way with olive oil, and shake shake shake!
Vinaigrette Tips
When you always have a jar of vinaigrette in the door of your fridge, adding a quick salad to dinner is easy. This dressing is also great for making salad BE the dinner, try my Chopped Dinner Salad with Roasted Potatoes. Making a hearty salad for lunch is fairly quick, and a simple potato or pasta salad dressing is ready to go. The jars last in the fridge a long time, easily a month or so. And, you know exactly what’s in them, unlike their store-bought versions.
Favorite Salad Combinations
With the Balsamic Vinaigrette, I often do a “fruit ~ nut” salad combination. Start with any lettuce greens, like arugula, spinach, or spring mix. Add any fruit, like dried cranberries, pomegranate seeds, chopped apples, pears, or berries. Try different nuts, toasted is the best, like walnuts, pine nuts, almonds, or pecans. And top it with cheese like shaved Parmesan, goat cheese, feta, or blue cheese. I always have some combination in the cupboard or fridge.
With the Red Wine Vinaigrette, I usually use whatever veggies I have and one of the same cheeses. Jarred peppers or olives are handy too.
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 salad dressing right in the jar!
Weeknight Dinners that Need a Salad!
- Bacon Cauliflower Mac & Cheese
- Skillet Burgers
- Simple Roasted Salmon
- Meal Prep Meatball Subs
- Simply Perfect Beef Roast
- Mom’s Homemade Spaghetti
Easy Vinaigrette in a Jar
Ingredients
- 2 t dijon mustard
- 2 t honey
- ½ t kosher salt
- 10 grinds fresh black pepper
- ⅓ c vinegar (Balsamic OR Red wine)
- ⅓ c olive oil
Instructions
- Put all ingredients in a small jar (measurements don't have to be exact-vinegar and oil should each be about half the jar) put the lid on and shake. Store in the fridge for a month or more.
- To use, set out 15 minutes or so until the oil comes to room temperature, shake again and toss with your favorite salad.
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