Homemade salad dressings are so easy to make and give a salad a delicious fresh flavor. This Blackberry Balsamic Vinaigrette is perfect to drizzle over a green salad or even an entrée salad with grilled chicken. This is the perfect recipe to use those ripe summer berries!
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Why this balsamic dressing recipe is the best!
This simple recipe focuses on fresh blackberries to bring out that amazing flavor. Blackberries have a sweet tart flavor profile that is paired perfectly with balsamic vinegar. Making your own homemade salad dressing gives you control of the ingredients so you can avoid any preservatives or sneaky ingredients that are notoriously hidden in the store bought variety.
key ingredients & substitutions
I keep my ingredients simple and lite so the blackberry flavor really shines. The sweetness of the berries is a perfect combination with the tangy balsamic.
blackberries- sweet blackberries picked during the peak season will make the best vinaigrette. Look for fresh blackberries at the local farmers market. You could use frozen berries if blackberries are not in season.
olive oil- vinaigrettes are a combination of oil and vinegar. You can substitute avocado oil if you prefer.
balsamic vinegar- opt for a good quality balsamic or even a white balsamic vinegar. If you love balsamic try my homemade balsamic glaze recipe!
honey- adds a little extra sweetness to the vinaigrette. You won't need much added sweetness because the blackberries are so sweet. You can substitute maple syrup or agave syrup.
Step-by-step instructions
Start with washing your blackberries in a colander. Add them to a small saucepan with water. Turn the heat to medium and when the water begins to heat up the berries will start to break down, reducing them to a liquid. Help them out by smashing them against the side of your pan with a fork.
There really is no need to drag out the food processor for this recipe. When the berries are reduced you can strain the liquid into a small bowl using a This will remove the seeds giving you a nice smooth texture for the blackberry vinaigrette.
Allow the liquid to cool and add the remaining ingredients. Pour the dressing into a jar with a tight fitting lid. A mason jar works perfectly. Tighten the lid and shake vigorously. Store in refrigerator until you are ready to serve, and remember to give a good shake again before pouring on salad. Oil and vinegar will separate after sitting for a few minutes.
Expert tips
- Take the time to strain the seeds from the blackberries.
- Use ripe sweet blackberries to get the best flavor!
- Shake well before serving.
How to serve the blackberry vinagrette
Blackberry balsamic vinaigrette dressing is great on a side salad with many different main dishes. This dressing was the inspiration for my Marinated Grilled Chicken and Blackberry Salad. The blackberry vinaigrette is delicious on grilled chicken breasts with goat cheese and toasted almonds.
How long does vinaigrette last in the fridge?
Because this blackberry balsamic vinaigrette recipe has no preservatives it is best to use within 5-7 days. This dressing can be made ahead of time for the week and easily doubled.
My Favorite Kitchen Tools!
Blackberry Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons water
- ½ cup blackberries
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Add blackberries to a small sauce pan with water. Simmer over medium heat.
- Bring to a boil and mash blackberries with the back of a fork to help break the berries down.
- After berries have reduced to mostly liquid remove from heat. Strain through a fine mesh sieve reserving just the blackberry juice. This will remove seeds.
- Add remaining ingredients along with the blackberry juice to a mason jar.
- Screw lid from mason jar tightly and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds. Drizzle over your favorite salad, cheese or chicken.
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