5-Minute Strawberry Vinaigrette That Will Blow Your Mind

There’s something magical about homemade strawberry vinaigrette that makes even the simplest salad feel special. I first fell in love with this recipe when I needed a quick way to jazz up a boring bowl of greens, and wow – it transformed everything! The sweet-tart punch of fresh strawberries mixed with rich olive oil and tangy balsamic creates the most addictive dressing. What I adore most is how versatile it is – drizzle it over grilled chicken, toss it with roasted veggies, or even use it as a marinade. Once you try this strawberry vinaigrette, you’ll want to put it on everything!

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Vinaigrette

This isn’t just any dressing – it’s a game-changer! Here’s why it’s become my go-to:

• Ready in 5 minutes flat – just toss everything in the blender and whizz!
• Bursting with fresh flavor – no artificial tastes or preservatives
• Unbelievably versatile – works on salads, meats, even as a fruit dip
• Naturally sweetened with honey – no refined sugars needed
• Makes ordinary meals extraordinary – my kids actually beg for salads now!

Trust me, once you taste that first sweet-tangy bite, you’ll be hooked.

Ingredients for Strawberry Vinaigrette

Grab these simple ingredients – I promise you probably have most in your kitchen already! The magic happens when they all come together:

• 1 cup fresh strawberries – hulled and chopped (about 6-8 medium berries)
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil – the good stuff makes a difference!
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar – aged is best for depth of flavor
• 1 tbsp honey – local if you can get it
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard – my secret for perfect emulsification
• 1/4 tsp salt – just a pinch to balance the sweetness
• 1/4 tsp black pepper – freshly cracked adds a nice little kick

See? Nothing fancy – just real ingredients that make real flavor!

How to Make Strawberry Vinaigrette

Making this vibrant dressing is so easy, you’ll wonder why you ever bought store-bought! Here’s how I do it:

1. Prep your berries: Give those strawberries a quick rinse, hull them (I use a spoon – so much easier than a knife!), and roughly chop. No need to be perfect here!
2. Blitz it all together: Toss everything into your blender – strawberries first, then oil, vinegar, honey, mustard, salt and pepper. The order helps everything blend smoothly.
3. Blend for 30 seconds until completely smooth. I like to stop halfway to scrape down the sides with a spatula – those sneaky strawberry bits love to hide!
4. Taste and tweak: This is where the magic happens! Dip a lettuce leaf in and adjust – more honey for sweetness? Extra pinch of salt? Make it yours.
5. Store it right: Pour into a cute jar or airtight container. It’ll keep happily in the fridge for up to 5 days – if it lasts that long!

Tips for the Best Strawberry Vinaigrette

After making this dozens of times, here are my can’t-skip secrets:

• For silky texture, strain through a fine mesh sieve – perfect for fancy dinners!
• Use the ripest strawberries you can find – they’re naturally sweeter and more flavorful
• Always give it a good shake before serving – the ingredients like to separate as it sits
• Blend a minute longer if you prefer a thinner consistency – great for drizzling!

Strawberry Vinaigrette Variations

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easily you can tweak it to match your mood! Try swapping honey for maple syrup when you want deeper caramel notes. Fresh herbs like basil or mint add a lovely aromatic twist – I toss in about 2 tablespoons. For extra zing, a squeeze of lemon juice brightens everything up beautifully. And if you’re out of balsamic, red wine vinegar works in a pinch (just add an extra teaspoon of honey to balance). The possibilities are endless!

Serving Suggestions for Strawberry Vinaigrette

Oh, the places this dressing can go! My absolute favorite is drizzled over a simple spinach salad with goat cheese and toasted almonds – pure heaven. But don’t stop there! Try it on grilled chicken for a sweet-savory punch, toss it with roasted asparagus, or even spoon it over fresh strawberries and vanilla ice cream (trust me on this one). It’s magical brushed on grilled peaches too. Basically, if it’s edible, this strawberry vinaigrette probably makes it better!

Storing and Reheating Strawberry Vinaigrette

Pop your strawberry vinaigrette in an airtight jar or container – I always use my favorite mason jar with the cute little fruit label. It’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days (though mine never lasts that long!). Just give it a good shake before using – the oil and fruit naturally separate as it sits. No reheating needed – this dressing tastes best cold or at room temperature anyway!

Strawberry Vinaigrette Nutrition Information

Here’s the scoop on what’s in that delicious drizzle! For about 2 tablespoons of this strawberry vinaigrette, you’re looking at roughly:

• 70 calories – light but packed with flavor
• 6g fat (mostly the good kind from olive oil)
• 5g carbs – mostly from the natural fruit sugars
• 4g sugar (from strawberries and honey)
• 0.5g fiber – thanks to those berry bits!

Of course, these are estimates – your exact numbers might vary slightly depending on your strawberries’ sweetness and the honey you use. But compared to store-bought dressings? This homemade version is a total nutrition win!

Frequently Asked Questions About Strawberry Vinaigrette

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