Apple Cider Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe
The BEST salad dressing recipe for any fall salads you're making. Fresh apple cider and apple cider vinegar whisked with just a touch of maple syrup and classic vinaigrette dressing ingredients. It's so good on greens and great as a marinade too!
How to Make the Best Apple Cider Vinaigrette Dressing
This Apple Cider Vinaigrette Dressing is a perfect addition to your fall entertaining and everyday meals. The combination of fresh apple cider, tart apple cider vinegar, and just a hint of maple syrup creates a dressing that’s both balanced and flavorful. It’s the ideal companion for autumn salads featuring crisp greens, roasted vegetables, and seasonal ingredients like butternut squash and cranberries.
Why You’ll Love This Dressing
What makes this vinaigrette special is the depth of flavor that comes from layering apple-forward ingredients. The apple cider provides natural sweetness and subtle fruit notes, while the vinegar adds brightness and tang. The maple syrup bridges these flavors perfectly, creating a dressing that’s complex enough to be interesting yet simple enough to complement any salad without overwhelming it.
This recipe also offers flexibility in preparation—whether you prefer the traditional whisking method, use an immersion blender, or simply shake everything in a jar, you’ll end up with delicious results. The emulsified versions will coat your greens more evenly and stay combined longer, while the shaken version offers a more rustic, separation-friendly option. Beyond salads, this vinaigrette also works beautifully as a marinade for chicken or pork, making it a versatile kitchen staple for the colder months.
Apple Cider Vinaigrette Dressing
The BEST salad dressing recipe for any fall salads you're making. Fresh apple cider and apple cider vinegar whisked with just a touch of maple syrup and classic vinaigrette dressing ingredients. It's so good on greens and great as a marinade too!
Ingredients
Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Instructions
Whisking Method
- Combine all the ingredients except the oil in a medium bowl.
- While whisking vigorously, slowly pour the olive oil into the bowl.
- Whisk until the dressing comes together.
Blending Method
- In a high-sided container like a wide mouth mason jar or large measuring cup, combine all the ingredients except the oil.
- Blend the ingredients with a few short pulses using an immersion blender.
- Slowly pour the olive oil in while the immersion blender is running.
- To thicken the dressing slightly, continue to blend for 1 to 2 minutes.
Shaking Method
- Combine all the ingredients, including the olive oil, in a mason jar.
- Cover tightly and shake vigorously until combined.
- Note: Using this method may require a reshake or stir before using as the olive oil and other ingredients are more likely to separate.
Notes
- Perfect for fall salads and works great as a marinade
- Choose your preferred method: whisking, blending, or shaking
- The blending method creates the smoothest, most emulsified dressing