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Home » Recipes » Salad Dressing

Maple Balsamic Dressing (Oil-Free!)

Feb 9, 2023 by Kaitlin · 3 Comments

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A full-flavored Maple Balsamic Salad Dressing recipe that's simple to prepare and completely oil-free! It's deliciously tangy with a hint of sweetness and bright herb flavors. (Vegan, gluten-free, naturally sweetened.)

Maple balsamic dressing in a small glass jar with spoon

This easy Maple Balsamic Dressing adds a whole other level of flavor to your salads and greens!

Making your own homemade salad dressing allows you to control the ingredients and fine-tune it exactly the way you want it.

Plus there's an added freshness you just can't beat!

This dressing is delightfully tangy with rich balsamic flavor, a hint of sweetness, and bright herb flavors. It's one of our favorites!

Vinegar, syrup, chia seeds, mustard, garlic, and seasoning ingredients laid out in white bowls

Ingredients for Maple Balsamic Dressing

For this recipe you will blend in a small high-speed blender:

  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Pure maple syrup
  • Chia seeds: These are used to help slightly thicken the dressing. Since we are making it without oil, it runs pretty thin. So I like to blend in a couple teaspoons of chia seeds to help give it some thickness and texture.
  • Dijon mustard: Or you can substitute with another mustard of choice.
  • Fresh garlic clove: I like the taste of fresh garlic, but you can substitute with a quarter teaspoon garlic powder if needed.
  • White miso: This is a fermented soybean paste. It has mild umami flavor and is absolutely delicious in dressings and sauces to give it a deeper, more complex flavor. I highly recommend including it, but if you don't have any then simply salt to taste instead. (Add black pepper as well if desired.)
  • Dried Italian seasoning: Be sure your pantry spices are fresh (not expired) for best flavor. I use a teaspoon of Italian seasoning, but you can reduce if you'd prefer a less strong herb flavor.
  • Fresh rosemary: This is completely optional. Just a little goes a long way. Rosemary adds a strong piney taste and aromatics. However I don't always have it on hand (or am in the mood for it), and the dressing is great without it!
Overhead view of maple balsamic dressing in a blender before blending

Customizing

Fresh herbs: Instead of rosemary, whisk or blend in fresh parsley, fresh basil, or other herbs that sound good. Change it up with the season or whatever's available.

Dried herbs: If you don't have Italian seasoning, use dried basil, oregano, thyme, marjoram, etc.

Make it creamy: Try this similar oil-free Creamy Balsamic Dressing for a fun twist made with hummus!

Adding oil: If you include oil in your diet and wish to turn this into a vinaigrette dressing, I suggest adding a tablespoon or two of high quality extra-virgin olive oil while blending.

Blender note: I use a small Nutribullet blender for this recipe. I don't recommend simply whisking the dressing together in a small bowl because it won't combine nearly as well. Blending gives the herbs a chance to break down and fully incorporate.

Overhead view of blended maple balsamic dressing

Serving

Salads: Pour or toss this dressing with your favorite tossed salads, chopped salads, holiday salads, or simple dinner salads. (I love it on this Roasted Chickpea Salad with Hummus.)

Steamed veggies: Spoon it over your favorite steamed vegetables before serving for rich flavor.

Marinade: I haven't tested this, but I'm guessing it could also be a great marinade for tempeh, tofu, etc.

Storing

Store leftover dressing in a glass mason jar with lid (or other airtight container) in the refrigerator. I find it keeps for about 5-7 days. It will thicken a little more as it sits, so it's great made ahead of time.

Oil-free maple balsamic dressing in a glass jar with spoon

For more inspiration, also browse all oil-free salad dressing recipes.

Maple balsamic dressing in a small glass jar with spoon

Maple Balsamic Dressing (Oil-Free!)

This full-flavored dressing is deliciously tangy with a hint of sweetness and bright herb accents. Easy to prepare and customize!
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Comment
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
Author: Kaitlin - The Garden Grazer
Course: Dressing
Cuisine: Gluten-Free, Oil-Free, Vegan
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
  • 2 Tbsp. water
  • 2 tsp. chia seeds
  • 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1/2 tsp. white miso
  • 1 tsp. Italian seasoning (or less)
  • Optional: 1/4 tsp. fresh rosemary

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a small high-speed blender. Blend for 20-30 seconds to combine.
  • Taste and adjust flavors as desired.

Notes

Yield: Recipe makes about 1/2 cup dressing. Double or triple as desired.
Storing: Store in a sealed jar or airtight container in the fridge. I find it keeps about 5-7 days. It will thicken more as it sits, so it's great made ahead of time.

Nutrition Per Serving (Estimate)

Nutrition Facts
Maple Balsamic Dressing (Oil-Free!)
Amount per Serving
Calories
55
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
1
g
2
%
Saturated Fat
 
0.1
g
1
%
Trans Fat
 
0.003
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
0.1
g
Potassium
 
61
mg
2
%
Carbohydrates
 
11
g
4
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
8
g
9
%
Protein
 
1
g
2
%
Vitamin A
 
11
IU
0
%
Vitamin C
 
0.3
mg
0
%
Calcium
 
39
mg
4
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Sodium content: This is omitted as I cannot provide an accurate number. I encourage you to calculate your own to provide a much more precise reading based on the exact ingredients, brands, and amounts you're using.

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If you're enjoying this oil-free Maple Balsamic Dressing recipe, also check out:

  • Strawberry Balsamic Dressing
  • Roasted Red Pepper Dressing
  • Vegan Italian Dressing

Follow The Garden Grazer on Instagram, Pinterest, X (Twitter), or Facebook for more updates and inspiration.

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Comments

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    Recipe Rating:




  1. Rob says

    May 12, 2024 at 2:25 pm

    5 stars

    Reply
  2. Kw says

    March 10, 2024 at 9:59 am

    5 stars
    This is my favourite go to dressing. Quick and so tasty!

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      March 13, 2024 at 7:14 pm

      Thrilled to hear you’re enjoying it! Thanks for sharing your kind feedback.

      Reply

Hello, I'm Kaitlin!
I live in Montana and share vegan recipes that are easy and healthy. About Me →

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