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A delicious, made-from-scratch apple cider vinaigrette with warm spices that’s perfect for fall. This sweet and tangy dressing adds a delightful touch to fall salads, roasted veggies, or as a marinade for chicken and pork.
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With the crisp fall air settling in, it’s a great time to enjoy seasonal flavors in your meals. We love using apple cider vinaigrette to give our dishes a warm, autumn touch. The apple cider vinegar, honey, and cozy spices like cinnamon and cloves really bring out that fall flavor in every bite.
Whether you’re preparing a hearty harvest salad or simply looking for a new marinade to liven up your meats, this vinaigrette is an excellent choice.
Ingredient Notes
Here are the simple ingredients you’ll need (pictured below). Read on for a few notes.
Olive oil – use EVOO (extra virgin olive oil).
Apple cider vinegar – use your favorite brand of apple cider vinegar, we like Bragg ACV.
Balsamic vinegar – sweetens and smooths out the acidity of the ACV (and makes dressing into the beautiful, classic apple cider color).
Spices – the addition of cinnamon and cloves add a warm flavor that’s perfect for fall. You can substitute garlic powder and a pinch of black pepper if you’d like.
See the recipe card for full list with amounts
✨ Have you been to a specialty oil and vinegar store? We love to shop locally for high-quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Supplies
- Mixing bowl and spoon, mason jar, or shaker bottle
- Measuring spoons
- Mason jar or storage bottle
- Serving dish, optional
Let’s Make a Tasty Vinaigrette
Follow these simple steps to make this sweet and tangy dressing.
1
Add All Ingredients.
In a small bowl or mason jar, mix the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, balsamic, honey, dijon mustard, salt, cinnamon, and cloves.
2
Blend ingredients.
Using a spoon or whisk, mix the ingredients until well combined. (Shaking a sealed mason jar also works well.)
3
Chill and Enjoy.
Chill the vinaigrette in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend together. Enjoy as a dressing for salads or veggies or use as a marinade for meats.
🍂 Try this dressing with our Fall Harvest Salad.
More About This Recipe
This apple cider vinaigrette is all about balance. Apple cider vinegar gives this dressing a tangy kick, while balsamic vinegar and honey add a touch of sweetness. Olive oil makes it smooth, and dijon mustard helps blend everything together. Cinnamon and cloves add a warm, fall flavor that makes this vinaigrette special. (If you’re into a more savory vibe, you can easily swap the spices for garlic powder and black pepper—using the same amounts—and it’ll taste great too.)
This vinaigrette is awesome on fall salads and roasted veggies. You can also use it as a marinade for chicken or pork. The flavors pair well with so many different dishes, so get creative with how you use it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to commonly asked questions about making this delicious salad dressing.
How long does this vinaigrette last in the fridge?
The vinaigrette can last up to a week when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just give it a good shake before using it.
Can I use this vinaigrette as a marinade?
Definitely! This apple cider vinaigrette works well as a marinade for meats, especially chicken and pork, adding a sweet and tangy flavor.
Can I make this vinaigrette ahead of time?
Yes! You can make it ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to a week. The flavors will blend and become even more flavorful after chilling.
Is this dressing gluten-free?
Yes, all of the ingredients in this vinaigrette are naturally gluten-free, but double-check labels to ensure your products are certified gluten-free, if needed.
More Salad & Dressing Recipes
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Apple Cider Vinaigrette
A sweet and tangy vinaigrette dressing with warm spices for a tasty, fall-inspired dressing.
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 10–12 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp cloves
Instructions
- In a small bowl or mason jar, add the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, salt, cinnamon, and cloves.
- Whisk the ingredients until well combined and smooth (if using a mason jar shake it vigorously).
- Place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
- Shake or stir before serving.
- Drizzle over your favorite salad or veggies or use it as a marinade for meats.
Notes
- Storage: Store the vinaigrette in an airtight container or mason jar in the refrigerator. It will keep for about 1 week. Be sure to shake or stir before each use, as the ingredients may separate over time.
- Adjust to taste: Feel free to adjust the salt, cinnamon, and cloves to suit your taste. Start with the recommended amounts and add more if you prefer a stronger flavor.
- Substitutions: If you’re not a fan of cinnamon and cloves, you can swap them out for 1/4 tsp garlic powder and a pinch of black pepper for a more savory version of the dressing.
- Pairing suggestions: This vinaigrette pairs perfectly with fall salads, especially those with apples, pears, nuts, or roasted veggies. It’s also a great marinade for chicken, pork, or roasted vegetables.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad Dressing
- Method: Mix
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 75
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 70.8 mg
- Fat: 7.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 2.1 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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