Strawberry Vinaigrette

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my easy strawberry vinaigrette recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.

• Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Strawberry Syrup – This is my shortcut that makes this strawberry dressing so easy! I chose it for this recipe for 3 reasons:
  • It’s made with real strawberry puree, so you still get bright, fruity strawberry flavor and even a few seeds for texture.
  • It’s naturally sweetened with monk fruit and allulose, so it adds the sweetness you need to balance the vinegar, without added sugar or artificial aftertaste.
  • No washing, hulling, or blending needed, which lets me make this homemade dressing more often!
• Apple Cider Vinegar – For a punchy, tangy contrast to the sweet syrup. You can swap in white wine vinegar, lemon juice, or lime juice for a milder flavor. I’ve also made this with balsamic vinegar, which tastes more intense.
• Avocado Oil – I love avocado oil here because it’s mild and lets the strawberry taste shine. Olive oil works, too, but you’ll notice the flavor more.
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper

How To Make Strawberry Salad Dressing

Making this strawberry vinaigrette dressing is super easy — all you need is a whisk and a bowl! Just whisk together the avocado oil, strawberry syrup, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. That’s it — your dressing is ready to drizzle.

Storage Tips

This strawberry salad dressing stores well in the fridge for at least a week, so it’s perfect for making ahead! A few things to keep in mind:

• Don’t worry if it separates. This dressing naturally separates as it sits, so just whisk or shake it again before serving.
• It might thicken a little in the fridge. It’s usually pourable for me even when cold, but if you find it’s a little thick, just let it come to room temperature.
• Make it in a jar for easy storage. If I’m prepping this homemade strawberry dressing ahead of time, I like to combine everything in a mason jar instead of a bowl. That way there’s nothing extra to wash, and you can just shake it again before serving.

Flavor Variations

Once you have the basic strawberry vinaigrette down, it’s easy to change the flavor for different salads, proteins, and seasons. Here are a few of my favorite ways to make this homemade strawberry dressing a little different:

• Balsamic – Strawberry balsamic vinaigrette is my favorite variation for a bolder, sweeter flavor. Just use balsamic vinegar instead of the ACV.
• Poppy seed – Stir in poppy seeds at the end for a classic strawberry dressing for spinach salad. It’s a lighter option instead of my usual creamy poppy seed dressing, and still goes so well with my strawberry spinach salad!
• Herby – Add finely chopped basil, mint, or chives for extra fresh, summery flavor.
• Spicy – Toss in a pinch of cayenne or a little minced jalapeño if you want a sweet-tangy dressing with some heat.

Ways To Use Strawberry Vinaigrette

I originally made this strawberry salad dressing for my new summer berry salad (pictured above), but have quickly come to love it in more ways:

• Salads – In addition to the one I already mentioned, I like this over strawberry spinach salad, simple arugula salad, creamy burrata salad (I recommend adding fresh strawberries to the salad to complete the pairing!), or even sweet kale salad. It pairs particularly well with salads that have berries, tangy cheeses (like feta or goat cheese), avocado, and crunchy nuts.
• Fruit salad – This week I drizzled this strawberry dressing over my easy fruit salad, and it totally rivaled the original I usually make. Just keep it light so it doesn’t overpower the natural sweetness of the fruit.
• Proteins – Brush it over grilled chicken, salmon, shrimp, or pork tenderloin, either right before serving or in the last 5-10 minutes of cooking. This timing keeps the berry flavor bright and prevents the outside from browning too fast.