This Easy Maple Balsamic Dressing will take your salads to the next level! It uses simple pantry ingredients and takes less than five minutes. Just add ingredients for this homemade balsamic vinaigrette to a small Mason jar and shake!
This easy Maple Balsamic Dressing with shallots has been topping our salads for years. It's so delicious that I finally decided it deserved a place of its own here on the blog!
Just like my other favourites, my Everyday Honey-Citrus Salad Dressing, Hollyhock Nutritional Yeast Dressing and this sensational Sesame Miso Vinaigrette, this Maple Balsamic Dressing is always in my regular rotation!
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❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
- It's quick to make, needs no special equipment, and you can feel good about serving it.
- Making your own dressings and vinaigrettes means you can keep them free of additives and added sugar, and you can choose a quality oil for their base. If you're considering switching to making homemade salad dressings regularly, see How to Make Homemade Salad Dressing.
- Balsamic vinegar has a powerful flavour, so you don't need much of this dressing to enhance your salads. It is rich and smooth and aromatic, adding just the right amount of tartness to this maple-balsamic vinaigrette.
🛒 Ingredients
- a shallot: brings a pungent flavour to this vinaigrette
- balsamic vinegar: the best quality you can afford! Look for an aged balsamic vinegar that is labeled "di Modena." You don't have to spend a fortune, but do avoid ones with caramel and added flavourings.
- maple syrup: pure, (not pancake syrup) for a mellow sweetness
- Dijon mustard: a tiny bit adds a little zest
- lemon juice: freshly squeezed is best. Even a small amount adds bright notes to this dressing
- olive oil: extra virgin
- salt and pepper: just a little, to your taste
1. Add ingredients to a jar. 2. Shake, shake, shake!
🥄 Instructions
- Mince the shallot.
- Measure the remaining ingredients.
- Add all ingredients to a small jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake, shake, shake!
❓How long will maple balsamic vinaigrette last?
Refrigerate leftover maple-balsamic dressing. Remove it from the fridge 30 minutes before serving and shake to re-emulsify it. This dressing will last for 3 - 4 days in the fridge, maybe longer. For more information on the shelf life of homemade salad dressings, see How Long do Homemade Salad Dressings & Sauces last?
🔁 Possible Variations
It's easy to double or triple this recipe. Once you taste it, you'll wish you had!
Make it creamy! If you prefer a creamier dressing, whisk in one or two tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt. Taste as you go.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
This maple balsamic vinaigrette will enhance any salad. We like it on this Winter Persimmon Kale Salad and on Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Cranberries and Pecans.
Try it on this harvest Quinoa Salad with Cranberries and Pears for a beautiful fall or Thanksgiving side dish.
It also makes a delicious dressing for cooked shrimp or chicken. Try it on your favourite pasta salad, too!
If you make this easy Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette, let me know how you liked it! Leave a comment and a rating below.
📖 Recipe Card
Easy Maple Balsamic Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon shallot, minced
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup olive oil, extra virgin
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a small jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake until well emulsified.
- Store in the refrigerator. Remove 30 minutes before serving and shake well.
Gigi
This is definitely a keeper recipe! I used it on your Persimmon Kale Salad and we both loved it. Thank you!
Elaine
Hi Gigi,
I love that salad too! Happy to hear you like this dressing as much as I do! It's a versatile one!
Marilyn
love this one! So good.
Flavour & Savour
Thanks for the 5-star rating!
Cathy Bhandar
HI Elaine.
I have made a version of this recipe for years and love it.
Mine has crushed garlic instead of shallot and no lemon juice.
I found if I eliminated the garlic I could leave it in my cupboard.
I always would forget to take it out early to warm up to mix the ingredients.
I will try adding lemon juice though.
Thanks for all the great ideas.
Flavour & Savour
Great idea, Cathy! The lemon juice just adds a little brightness! Thanks for commenting!