Picture this: You’re standing in a field with the sun shining down on strawberries that stretch as far as the eye can reach. Each fruit is drenched in morning dew and delicious perfection; you notice this intoxicating smell of all the strawberries simply by looking at them.
Nonna Lucia has a secret balsamic dressing recipe that’s been passed down through generations, curious? In her rustic kitchen with wooden beams and ceramic tiles, you can see her blending these juicy strawberries with rich balsamic vinegar sourced from Modena, which is known as the city of age-old vinegar traditions.
The result is a sweet and tangy vinaigrette, capturing the essence of summer in every drop and creating a harmonious match with fresh greens.
Best part about this homemade salad dressing recipe? It’s extremely easy to make with simple ingredients, only takes 5 minutes, and is perfect for strawberry picking season!
What You’ll Need For Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe
Making strawberry balsamic vinaigrette dressing from scratch is easier than you think and will literally only take 5 minutes! You will also likely have most, if not all, of the ingredients on hand so that you can start immediately.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, cleaned and hulled
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (avocado oil is also okay, but may be a little strong)
- 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup for a vegan version)
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional:
- 1-2 teaspoons Dijon mustard (adds a nice zesty kick)
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil or mint, chopped (for added freshness)
How to Make Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette
Making this strawberry vinaigrette recipe is much easier than you think:
Step 1: Put it in a food processor or blender:
- Strawberries
- Balsamic vinegar
- Honey
- Garlic
Blend it until it’s smooth – kind of like a smoothie.
Step 2: Stream in Olive Oil
While the blender or food processor is still running, put it on the low setting and slowly stream in the olive oil until the dressing is emulsified and has a slightly thick consistency.
Step 3: Season to Taste
Now it’s time to season it based on your preferences and taste! Give it a quick taste, then add salt and pepper to your liking. While optional, if you’re using Dijon mustard, add it as well and give the mixture a quick blend.
Step 4: Optional Fresh Herbs
Consider using fresh herbs like basil or mint to give it an extra kick of freshness – just make sure you’re starting out slowly and don’t add everything immediately.
Shake or stir it before using so it’s well mixed – that’s it! Such a simple and delicious recipe.
Expert Tips
Ready to make this recipe even better for your summer salads? Consider using any of these tips to improve it even more (even though it’s delicious enough already!)
- Ripe strawberries – Use ripe and juicy strawberries to get the most flavor – so it’s especially great if strawberries are in season.
- Too sweet? Consider balancing the sweetness of the strawberries by adjusting the honey or maple syrup. Alternatively, you can also play around with white balsamic vinegar or other types!
- Storage – When finished, pour it into a glass jar or bottle with an airtight lid and store it in the fridge for up to a week.
Favorite tip: Add goat cheese to your salad, it makes this perfect dressing even better!
Variations of This Dish
Too boring and want something different? I’ve got you. This recipe has so many delicious ways as long as you use quality ingredients. Here are some of my homemade dressings:
Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette
The recipe is the same as for the strawberry balsamic vinaigrette; simply replace the sweet strawberries with raspberries for a tarter version.
Creamy Strawberry Vinaigrette
If you want a creamier and thicker dressing, you can add a tiny amount of soaked cashews or Greek yogurt to make it creamier.
Rosemary Infused Strawberry Vinaigrette
As you blend all the ingredients, add some fresh rosemary – just make sure you remove the stem before blending! This will give it a fresher note.
Blueberry Strawberry Vinaigrette
Love berries? So do we! Use this perfect combination of strawberries and blueberries for a berry-packed flavor explosion in your salads – just make sure you use fresh fruit for the best flavor!
Vegan Creamy Strawberry Vinaigrette
Can’t do dairy? Here’s an alternative! While you blend, add soaked and drained raw cashews to the mix and blend until it becomes creamy, so you get the same rich texture as with dairy!
Frequently Asked Questions
There are no stupid questions, just frequently asked ones! And we have the answers!
How long can I store the Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette?
You can store it for up to a week as long as you keep it in an airtight container in the fridge – just make sure you give it a good shake before using it.
Can I use frozen strawberries or berries?
Yes! Just make sure you thaw them before blending, and be aware that it could make the Vinaigrette more watery and thin it more.
Can I substitute another type of vinegar if I don’t have balsamic?
Great question! While the balsamic vinegar gives it a unique flavor, you can also use red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or even white wine vinegar – you may just have to adjust the taste to your liking.
How can I make the vinaigrette less tangy?
I totally get it! To make it less tangy, just use less vinegar and increase the amount of strawberries or honey to adjust it to your liking.
Can I make this vinaigrette without a blender or food processor?
Yes! Just finely chop the strawberries and use a whisk to mix the ingredients together, it will be less smooth but just as flavorful!
How do I know when my strawberries are ripe enough?
Great question! Ripe strawberries are typically bright red, smell sweet (that typical strawberry smell), and are slightly soft when you touch them.
Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, cleaned and hulled
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (avocado oil is also okay, but may be a little strong)
- 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup for a vegan version)
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional:
- 1–2 teaspoons Dijon mustard (adds a nice zesty kick)
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil or mint, chopped (for added freshness)
Instructions
- Put it in a food processor or blender:
- Strawberries, Balsamic vinegar, Honey, Garlic
- Blend it until it’s smooth – kind of like a smoothie.
- While blender is running on low setting, slowly add olive oil
- Add salt and pepper to your liking
- Add Dijon mustard (optional)
- Add fresh herbs like basil or mint (optional)
- Shake and stir before using, so it’s well mixed – voilá! Enjoy!
One Response
Thanks so much for posting this. This is delicious! I did vary it the second time I make it because I didn’t have fresh strawberries. I added aproximately 1/3 cup of homemade strawberry jam and omitted the honey and it was just as good IMO. I’m printing the recipe for our family cookbook.