Raspberry Vinaigrette

We all love the convenience of store-bought salad dressing, but you just can’t beat a homemade one when it comes to flavor. This raspberry vinaigrette dressing recipe, which combines tart raspberries with tangy vinegar and spicy mustard, is the perfect example.

Raspberry vinaigrette adds a fresh and fruity flavor to a simple lettuce salad topped with grilled chicken or shrimp, and it’s also great for drizzling over your favorite grain bowls. When raspberry season is in full swing, we highly recommend making the raspberry vinegar from scratch for an extra burst of berry flavor.

Ingredients for Raspberry Vinaigrette

• Vegetable oil: This neutral oil allows the raspberry vinegar and Dijon mustard to shine. Canola oil, an alternate oil with the same flavor profile, would also work. If you’d like to add some complexity, use extra virgin olive oil instead.
• Raspberry vinegar: You can buy raspberry vinegar online or at a specialty grocery store. Or, better yet (and for the best flavor), you can make raspberry vinegar from scratch (see recipe below).
• Sugar: A little sugar balances the tartness of the raspberries. This recipe calls for granulated sugar, but honey or maple syrup also would work well.
• Dijon mustard: This French mustard’s sharp and tangy flavor complements the dressing’s sweetness. Feeling ambitious? Make your own Dijon mustard.

Directions

Step 1: Shake the dressing

Combine the oil, raspberry vinegar, sugar and Dijon mustard in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake well.

Step 2: Chill until ready to serve

Store in the refrigerator. Just before serving, shake the dressing again.

Editor’s Tip: Instead of using a jar, you can make vinaigrette by whisking all the ingredients together in a bowl. Or, even easier, add the ingredients to a blender, and blend until smooth.

Mark Derse for Taste of Home

Recipe Variations

• Use balsamic vinegar: For a raspberry balsamic vinaigrette, make the raspberry vinegar from scratch, subbing balsamic vinegar for the white wine vinegar in the recipe.
• Add shallots: Add 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot for additional flavor. A shallot is a type of onion with a slightly peppery and garlicky flavor. Shallots have a milder, more delicate flavor than onions.
• Add herbs: Dried herbs will increase the depth of flavor of this dressing. Start with 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, thyme or basil.

How to Store Raspberry Vinaigrette

Leftover raspberry vinaigrette can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. However, for the freshest flavor, we recommend using it within a few days.

Raspberry Vinaigrette Tips

Mark Derse for Taste of Home

How do you make raspberry vinegar from scratch?

Making raspberry vinegar from scratch is a snap! In a large saucepan, combine 2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries, 3/4 cup cider vinegar, 1/3 cup honey and one cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Let the mixture cool before straining through a cheesecloth. Pour into a clean container, cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to use.

How do you use raspberry vinaigrette?

This sweet and tangy vinaigrette would be delicious in this green salad with berries, a raspberry slaw or a strawberry garden salad.