Maple apple cider vinaigrette – homemade salad dressing

Every kitchen needs a staple salad dressing. Whether you‘re a kitchen pro or absolute beginner, there is always the need for that One salad dressing. Well, this maple apple cider vinaigrette is mine. With its sweet, slightly nutty flavour it will quickly become a staple in your kitchen. 

Growing up we always ate a lot of salad. Seasonal greens, delicious toppings and a juicy dressing accompanied almost every meal. And as I grew older and started my own household, I realized why. Simply put, there‘s always room for more veggies. Whatever the season, whichever state your fridge is in, there‘s almost always a way to serve a delicious side salad. And isn‘t it so refreshing to take a bite of juicy, crispness after mouthfuls of hot and hearty dishes? 

Maple cider vinaigrette is one of my key flavors to add to fall salads, winter salads and really any salads at any time of year. It makes healthy recipes let your teste buds dance and somehow always acts as the perfect balance between sweet and savoury. Besides making great homemade salad dressings, maple cider vinaigrette also acts as a great marinade for root vegetables like sweet potatoes or brussels sprouts.

Now, a bowl of chopped veggies probably won‘t do the trick, you‘ll need something to bring it all together. I‘m a big fan of simple, satisfying and reliable recipes. I like to know that whatever brand of ingredients I use, my end result will be delicious. This maple vinaigrette dressing is a great way to achieve just that. A little oil, acidity and sweetness, mixed together with the staple salt and pepper. It‘s the combination that elevates any green salads, regardless of the season. It‘s easy, delicious, and can be stored at room temperature or in a mason jar in your fridge in bulk. A super easy way to meal prep.

Maple apple cider vinaigrette recipe ingredients

Extra virgin olive oil – To create a beautiful rich base for your dressing. 

Apple cider vinegar – A delicious, sweet and tangy addition to balance out your flavours.

Pure maple syrup – The star of the show and one of my kitchen’s main ingredients, adds a nutty sweetness that goes with just about anything. I found that even those who „don‘t like salad“ can resist a little sweet maple flavour. I usually use organic maple syrup for all of my recipes, and this homemade vinaigrette is no exception. It‘s my personal preference, but really any maple syrup will do.

Kosher salt and black pepper – To bring it all together.

How to make Maple Vinaigrette Dressing

When you‘re ready to make your maple apple cider vinaigrette dressings, consider preparing enough for the week ahead. It‘s such a simple step, but will make you eat more greens the week to come. Simply because your dressing‘s ready. Whether you make my maple apple cider vinaigrette for a single salad or in bulk for the week ahead, the recipe is super simple. Take a small bowl or jar and fill half of it with olive oil. Add a quarter jar of apple cider vinegar and a quarter jar of maple syrup. Whisk or shake it well and season to taste with salt and pepper. You will be able to store your dressing in an airtight container for up to a week in the fridge. Served with a side salad or over roasted vegetables like carrots, chances are, you‘ll use it all up within a few days.

Frequently asked questions

What‘s the difference between balsamic dressing and vinaigrette?

Balsamic refers to pure balsamic vinegar, which is dark brown in colour. Vinaigrette is a dressing made from oil an a type of vinegar, but this doesn‘t need to be balsamic. Instead, you could use apple cider, red wine, white wine or sherry vinegar. Balsamic dressing, due to the rich dark colour of its main ingredient, is also usually very dark in colour.

What is vinaigrette made of?

Vinaigrette is made of a combination of oil, such as extra virgin olive oil, and an acid, such as apple cider vinegar. You can also use lemon juice or any other acid liquid. To top it up, most people add salt and pepper, some also a sweetener such as maple syrup or honey. You can further experiment with flavours by adding fresh herbs and spices. 

Is vinaigrette healthier than dressing?

This will all depend on your ingredients. Generally speaking, a simple vinaigrette of oil and vinegar can be a fairly healthy addition to salad, given it is used in small quantities. Dressings, especially store bought ones, often come with high sugar and fat content. Think along the lines of Ranch or Thousand Island dressing. Given their thick consistency, a salad usually needs larger amounts of these dressings, causing the overall calorie count to increase significantly. If you are using a big batch of simple ingredients like mixed greens and a little bit of your own salad dressings, you are on the right path. If you are still after some added flavours, consider topping your salad with dried fruit, fresh crisp apples, pumpkin seeds or something more indulgent like goat cheese or blue cheese.

What is the healthiest salad dressing?

This question probably depends on what you classify as healthy. If you are looking at a well-rounded dressing with healthy fats, acidity and natural sweetness, my maple apple cider vinaigrette could be a great candidate. If you are purely after low calorie liquid to flavour your salad with, lemon or lime juice will be your best friend. 

What thickens a vinaigrette?

A higher ratio of oil to vinegar creates a smooth texture of vinaigrette. To thicken this, a less liquid ingredient like grainy mustard, dijon mustard or mayonnaise can be mixed into the vinaigrette.