We’re always looking for naturally dairy-free ways to add flavor to recipes, and summer makes it so easy. The abundance of fresh produce lets us use fewer ingredients for maximum taste. This fresh strawberry vinaigrette, for example, uses just a few simple items from your pantry, but it adds wonderful brightness and depth to all types of salads. We like it paired with salads that use chicken or chickpeas, or with simple spinach salads. It’s a chunky-style vinaigrette, but can also be pureed for a smoother salad dressing.
Fresh Strawberry Vinaigrette with Just Four Simple Ingredients
Apple cider vinegar lends a complimentary flavor to this strawberry vinaigrette and has long been prized for its health benefits. So how do the different vinegars measure up?
- Balsamic vinegar is the most expensive due to its lengthy aging process. It develops more richness and becomes thicker with time. This one goes great with grilled vegetables or pastas, but also pairs nicely with strawberries.
- Malt vinegar is an English and Canadian favorite (particularly with “chips” or fries). It has a pungent, full-bodied flavor that goes nicely with seafood, meat, or hearty bean salads.
- Red and white wine vinegars are a jack of all trades used in cooking, salad dressings, and marinades. Just like wine, red wine vinegars go well with hearty foods like steak or ribs, while white wine vinegar fits nicely into lighter chicken and fish dishes.
- Apple cider vinegar is a mellow, multi-purpose vinegar that is quickly gaining popularity for its nutritional properties and everyday versatility. It’s perfect for lighter entrées, marinades, teas, desserts, and dressings, and can be substituted for distilled white vinegar to add a deeper flavor to dishes.
When possible, look for unfiltered cider vinegar, which retains the “mother” – a compound that guarantees a more wholesome, natural vinegar.
This strawberry vinaigrette recipe with photo was shared with us by Heinz. back in 2013, but we’ve since updated it.
Special Diet Notes: Fresh Strawerry Vinaigrette
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, and vegetarian.
For paleo strawberry vinaigrette, substitute a paleo-friendly sweetener, like honey.
- 2 cups cut berries (raspberries, strawberries or blackberries) with juices
- 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ⅔ cup apple cider vinegar (can sub balsamic vinegar)
- ¼ cup sugar
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the cut berries, oil, vinegar, and sugar until combined.
- Serve at room temperature.
- Cover and store any leftovers in the refrigerator.
More Dairy-Free Vinaigrette Recipes
Sweet ‘n Spicy Pepper Jelly Vinaigrette
Maple Walnut Vinaigrette
Pomegranate Vinaigrette
