Elevate your salads with this delightful maple balsamic vinaigrette. The perfect blend of sweet and tangy, this dressing is not only gluten-free but also incredibly easy to make. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a delicious and versatile vinaigrette that will enhance any dish.
While most of the ingredients for this maple balsamic vinaigrette are commonly found in your pantry, you might need to pick up dijon mustard if you don't already have it. This mustard adds a subtle kick and helps to emulsify the dressing. Make sure to get a good quality balsamic vinegar as it will significantly impact the flavor of your vinaigrette.

Ingredients For Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe
Balsamic vinegar: This dark, concentrated vinegar adds a rich, tangy flavor to the vinaigrette.
Maple syrup: Provides a natural sweetness that balances the acidity of the vinegar.
Olive oil: A healthy fat that helps to emulsify and smooth out the dressing.
Dijon mustard: Adds a subtle kick and helps to emulsify the vinaigrette.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dressing.
Pepper: Adds a touch of heat and depth to the vinaigrette.
Technique Tip for This Vinaigrette
When making a vinaigrette, it's crucial to achieve a proper emulsion to ensure the dressing doesn't separate. Start by whisking together the balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, and dijon mustard until well combined. Then, slowly drizzle in the olive oil while continuously whisking. This gradual incorporation of oil helps to create a stable emulsion. If you pour the oil too quickly, the mixture may not emulsify properly, resulting in a dressing that separates. Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting as needed to balance the flavors.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
balsamic vinegar - Substitute with red wine vinegar: Red wine vinegar has a similar acidity and can provide a comparable tangy flavor.
maple syrup - Substitute with honey: Honey offers a similar sweetness and viscosity, making it a good alternative.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a mild flavor and similar health benefits, making it a suitable replacement.
dijon mustard - Substitute with whole grain mustard: Whole grain mustard provides a similar tangy flavor and texture.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used in the same quantity and offers a similar taste.
pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a similar heat and can be used in the same quantity.
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How to Store or Freeze This Vinaigrette
To store your maple balsamic vinaigrette, transfer it to an airtight container, such as a glass jar or a BPA-free plastic container. This will help maintain its freshness and prevent any unwanted flavors from seeping in.
Keep the container in the refrigerator. The vinaigrette should stay fresh for up to two weeks. Before each use, give it a good shake or stir to re-emulsify the ingredients, as they may separate over time.
If you want to freeze the vinaigrette, pour it into a freezer-safe container, leaving some space at the top to allow for expansion. You can also use ice cube trays to freeze individual portions, which can be handy for quick use in salads or as a marinade for meat.
Label the container with the date you made the vinaigrette. This will help you keep track of its freshness and ensure you use it within a reasonable time frame.
When you're ready to use the frozen vinaigrette, transfer it to the refrigerator to thaw overnight. If you're in a hurry, you can place the container in a bowl of lukewarm water to speed up the thawing process.
Once thawed, give the vinaigrette a good shake or whisk to re-emulsify the ingredients. The texture and flavor should remain intact, making it just as delicious as when it was freshly made.
Avoid refreezing the vinaigrette after it has been thawed, as this can affect the quality and flavor. Instead, try to use it up within a few days of thawing to enjoy its best taste.
For an extra burst of flavor, consider adding fresh herbs like basil, thyme, or rosemary to the vinaigrette before storing or freezing. These herbs can infuse the dressing with delightful aromatic notes, enhancing your salads and vegetables.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Gently warm the vinaigrette in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir continuously to ensure the olive oil and other ingredients remain emulsified. Avoid overheating to prevent the maple syrup from caramelizing.
Alternatively, place the vinaigrette in a microwave-safe container. Heat it in short bursts of 10-15 seconds, stirring in between to maintain the emulsion and prevent separation.
For a more controlled approach, use a double boiler. Place the vinaigrette in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water. Stir gently until warmed through, ensuring the balsamic vinegar and dijon mustard blend smoothly with the olive oil.
If you prefer a cold salad dressing, simply let the vinaigrette come to room temperature. Give it a good shake or whisk before serving to re-emulsify the ingredients.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Whisk: essential for combining the balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, and dijon mustard smoothly.
Mixing bowl: ideal for holding the ingredients while you whisk them together.
Measuring cups: necessary for accurately measuring the balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, and olive oil.
Measuring spoons: useful for measuring the dijon mustard.
Slow pour spout: helpful for drizzling the olive oil slowly to ensure proper emulsification.
Salt grinder: allows you to season the vinaigrette with freshly ground salt.
Pepper grinder: enables you to add freshly ground pepper to taste.
How to Save Time on Making This Vinaigrette
Prepare ingredients in advance: Measure out the balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, olive oil, and dijon mustard ahead of time to streamline the process.
Use a blender: Combine all ingredients in a blender for quick and easy emulsification, saving you from manual whisking.
Pre-make and store: Make a larger batch of the vinaigrette and store it in the fridge for up to a week, so you have it ready whenever needed.
Use a squeeze bottle: Store the vinaigrette in a squeeze bottle for easy and quick application on salads.
Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
Instructions
- Whisk together balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, and Dijon mustard.
- Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking until emulsified.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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