Tangy and sweet, this delicious Maple Balsamic Dressing pairs perfectly fresh leafy salads. The balsamic vinegar adds a deep, rich flavor while the maple syrup gives you the perfect amount of sweetness.
Table of Contents
- Maple Balsamic Dressing
- Maple Balsamic Dressing Ingredients
- How to Make Maple Balsamic Dressing
- Recipe Tips
- Is Balsamic Dressing the Healthiest?
- What is the Difference between Balsamic Vinegar and Balsamic Dressing?
- Serving Suggestions
- How to store Leftover Maple Balsamic Dressing
- Get the Recipe
- More Recipes to Try
Maple Balsamic Dressing
I created this maple balsamic dressing to pair with my festive holiday shaved brussel sprout salad. It perfectly pulls together the flavors of that salad, but what I realized is that I actually crave it on all my salads, and I’m sure you will too!
Perfectly sweet, perfectly tangy, this maple balsamic dressing is so much better than a bottle of ranch on your salad. And, it’s healthier for you too! In fact, the healthiest salad dressings are vinaigrettes like balsamic or oil and vinegar. We do sweeten this one up with a little maple syrup, but I feel a little better since it is a more natural unprocessed sugar.
Made with balsamic vinegar, lemon juice and maple syrup, you get complex, deep flavors that will liven any dish. Use it as a salad dressing, or drizzle it over roasted veggies and grilled meats for a complex flavor that can’t be beat.
Maple Balsamic Dressing Ingredients
You won’t need much for this sweet and tangy dressing. In fact, you will only need these 6-ingredients:
- Olive oil: Olive oil or avocado oil are best, but vegetable or canola oil can be substituted.
- Maple syrup: You want to get 100% pure maple syrup. Make sure it’s not just maple syrup flavoring.
- Balsamic vinegar: Not all vinegar is the same, so don’t substitute this ingredient for another vinegar. The flavors just won’t be the same.
- Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice squeezed from lemons makes for the best dressing. But, you can use store-bought lemon juice as well.
- Seasoning: A little salt and pepper adds the perfect seasoning.
How to Make Maple Balsamic Dressing
There really isn’t much to this recipe! Once you’ve gathered all the ingredients, you’re already halfway done!
Step 1: Gather all your ingredients and measure them out.
Step 2: Pour all the ingredients into a large bowl. Whisk them thoroughly.
Step 3: Use a funnel to pour your maple balsamic dressing into a glass jar.
That’s it! Use on your favorite salads as desired, or store it in the fridge for later. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Shake your ingredients. Instead of making a bowl dirty, simply put all your ingredients into a mason jar with a lid. Tighten the lid securely. Then, shake it vigorously to make your dressing.
- Shake the jar before each use: Balsamic dressing can separate and settle, so before each use, be sure to shake the jar vigorously.
- Use real maple syrup: Trust me, you want to use REAL maple syrup. Don’t grab a bottle of Mrs. Butterworth’s syrup instead of the real thing.
Is Balsamic Dressing the Healthiest?
Vinaigrette dressing is the healthiest salad dressing to use, but this maple balsamic dressing is a close second! In fact, balsamic is really very healthy for you. It can help lower cholesterol, maintain healthy blood pressure, and has tons of antioxidants that aid in healthy skin.
What is the Difference between Balsamic Vinegar and Balsamic Dressing?
Balsamic vinegar is just that; balsamic vinegar. It’s a slightly sweet, dark, rich flavored vinegar that is used to enhance dressings, marinades, and sauces. Balsamic dressing, on the other hand, combines other ingredients with the vinegar to add a complex flavor to your salads, veggies, or meats.
Serving Suggestions
I use this maple balsamic dressing on all my salads, especially our favorite Holiday Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad but you can use it on a variety of other dishes as well. Drizzle it on veggies of meats to enhance their flavor. Here are a few recipes you can try it with:
How to store Leftover Maple Balsamic Dressing
Store your homemade maple balsamic dressing in a mason jar with a lid, or another airtight container. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Maple Balsamic Dressing
Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Pour all ingredients into a bowl. Whisk thoroughly. Using a funnel pour into glass jar for serving.
- Jar Alternative: Pour all ingredients into a large jar with a lid. Place lid tightly on jar. Shake vigorously.
- Use on salads as desired. Can be stored for up to 1 week in the refrigerator. Shake vigorously before using each time as ingredients can separate/settle.
