This refreshing Strawberry Balsamic Dressing recipe is naturally sweetened and oil-free! It's a great way to liven up salads, especially in the summertime. Plus it's ready in just 5 minutes! (Vegan, gluten-free, oil-free.)
This easy Strawberry Balsamic Dressing only takes 5 minutes to prepare!
It's a great way to jazz up your salads. The flavor is refreshingly sweet and slightly tangy.
Plus it's naturally sweetened and oil-free as well!
It's great whenever you can find ripe strawberries, but especially in the summer when they're in peak season.
Ingredients for Strawberry Balsamic Dressing
For this recipe you will blend together in a high-speed blender:
- Fresh strawberries: You will need 5 ounces, which is about one heaping cup. I measure them after they're hulled (after removing the green tops). Be sure your strawberries are fresh and sweet as it's a main flavor component of this dressing. I purchase organic when possible.
- Balsamic vinegar
- Pure maple syrup: This is a great natural sweetener. Just a tablespoon helps enhance the sweetness and balance the flavors. Feel free to use more or less as desired.
- Dijon mustard
- Poppy seeds: These are completely optional if you prefer to leave them out. I like the texture and interest they add. Simply stir them in after blending.
- Salt: I use fine grain salt for this recipe. You can also add black pepper to taste if desired.
Customizing
Make it creamy: Stir in some vegan yogurt (plain & unsweetened) for a thicker, creamier consistency. You can add up to 5 ounces, or however much you prefer.
Make it thicker: Blend in 1-2 teaspoons chia seeds for a thicker dressing. It will gradually thicken as it sits.
Adding oil: If you include oil in your diet, a tablespoon or so of good quality extra-virgin olive oil can be added if you wish.
Want more fruity goodness? Try this Blueberry Salad Dressing as well!
Serving
Use this homemade dressing on a simple spinach salad, mixed greens salad, or whatever sounds good!
One of my favorite ways to enjoy it is on this Berry Crunch Salad. (Made with fresh berries, citrus, greens, and maple-vanilla candied nuts.)
Storing
Store leftover dressing in a sealed mason jar or airtight container in the refrigerator.
Making ahead: This keeps well for about 4 days, so it's a great dressing to make ahead of time!
For more inspiration, also browse all oil-free salad dressing recipes or strawberry recipes.
Strawberry Balsamic Dressing (Oil-Free)
Ingredients
- 5 oz. fresh strawberries, hulled (about 1 heaping cup)
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. pure maple syrup (or less)
- 1 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
- 1-2 tsp. poppy seeds (optional)
- 1/8 tsp. salt
Instructions
- Add all ingredients (except poppy seeds) to a high-speed blender. Blend until smooth.
- Stir in poppy seeds, if using.
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving (Estimate)
Sodium: 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.
If you are enjoying this oil-free strawberry balsamic dressing recipe, also check out:
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