Apple Cider Vinegar Salad Dressing
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This Apple Cider Vinegar Salad Dressing is bright, tangy, and perfectly balanced with a touch of sweetness. It comes together in five minutes and adds fresh, vibrant flavor to everything from slaws to salads.
If you’re looking for more dressing recipes, try my Lemon Basil Vinaigrette next!
Quick Look: Apple Cider Vinegar Salad Dressing
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan (if using maple syrup instead of honey)
- Method: Whisk or shake in a jar
- Technique: Add apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey (or maple syrup), garlic, salt, and pepper to a bowl or jar. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until fully emulsified, or seal and shake vigorously until smooth and well combined.
- Flavor/Texture: Bright and tangy with a subtle sweetness
Why You’ll Make This On Repeat!
I keep this apple cider vinegar dressing in my rotation because it’s one of those simple recipes that instantly makes anything taste fresher and more exciting. It’s quick to whisk together, uses basic pantry ingredients, and somehow manages to feel both light and full of flavor at the same time.
What I love most is how flexible it is; you can adjust the sweetness, tang, or garlic depending on what you’re serving it with. It’s the kind of dressing that makes even the simplest bowl of greens or shredded cabbage feel like something you actually want to crave.
Use as a dressing on my Best Christmas Salad, and you won’t regret it!
Made With Amore,
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
This dressing is made with simple pantry ingredients that come together for a bright, balanced vinaigrette.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Creates a smooth, well-balanced base.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds bright, tangy acidity.
- Dijon Mustard: Helps emulsify and adds depth of flavor.
- Garlic & Honey (or Maple Syrup): Fresh garlic adds savory bite while a touch of sweetness balances the acidity.
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: Enhances and rounds out all the flavors.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations & Substitutions
- Creamy Version: Add a spoonful of Greek yogurt to the dressing. Try my Creamy Italian Dressing, or Creamy Avocado Coleslaw Recipe.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Whisk in finely chopped parsley, dill, or chives for extra freshness.
- Make It Sweeter: Add an extra teaspoon of honey or maple syrup for a softer, more mellow vinaigrette. Drizzle on my Pork Tenderloin Sandwich!
How to Make Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing
This dressing comes together quickly with just two simple steps for a perfectly balanced vinaigrette. Follow the step-by step photos and see the recipe card at the bottom for a printable version.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, grated garlic, honey (or maple syrup), salt, and several grinds of black pepper.
- Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously until the dressing becomes smooth and emulsified. You can also add everything to a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake well to combine.
Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing FAQs
Make sure the Dijon mustard is well whisked in, it helps emulsify the dressing and keeps it more stable.
A small bowl and whisk work well, but you can also shake everything together in a jar with a tight lid.
Store the dressing in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Olive oil will naturally solidify in the fridge. Let the dressing sit at room temperature 10–15 minutes, then shake or whisk again to re-emulsify.
Serving Suggestions
This dressing is perfect for crisp cabbage slaws, simple green salads, and Italian-style chopped salads like the Classic Italian Chopped Salad or Best Christmas Salad. It also works beautifully in vinaigrette-style potato salads, like my Italian Potato Salad with Green Beans, adding a fresh, tangy finish that keeps everything light and balanced. When used in my Red Cabbage Salad, it becomes the perfect slaw for a Grilled Chicken Sandwich, adding a crunchy, flavorful layer that brings everything together
My Pro Tips
Recipe Tips
- Adjust to taste: Start with less vinegar, then add more if you prefer a sharper, more tangy flavor.
- Use fresh garlic: Freshly grated garlic gives the best flavor—jarred or powdered won’t have the same punch.
- Double the batch: It keeps well, so making extra is great for quick salads throughout the week.
More Salad Dressing Recipes
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Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing
Ingredients
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 4-5 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, adjust to taste
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, finely grated
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, grated garlic, honey (or maple syrup), salt, and several grinds of black pepper.
- Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously until the dressing becomes smooth and emulsified. You can also add everything to a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake well to combine.
Notes
- Adjust to taste: Start with less vinegar, then add more if you prefer a sharper, more tangy flavor.
- Use fresh garlic: Freshly grated garlic gives the best flavor—jarred or powdered won’t have the same punch.
- Double the batch: It keeps well, so making extra is great for quick salads throughout the week.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
