Raspberry Balsamic Salad Dressing

Raspberry Balsamic Salad Dressing

If you’re looking for a delicious twist on a classic vinaigrette, this Raspberry Balsamic Salad Dressing is it. We often dress our everyday salads with a simple drizzle of high-quality olive oil and thick, fruity balsamic vinegar. But when you want something just a little different, something that feels special without taking more than a few minutes, this dressing is the answer.

I especially love using our homegrown, homemade, honey-sweetened raspberry jam for this recipe. (You can find the Honey-Sweetened Raspberry Jam recipe in my Sugar-Free Canning course.) The jam adds a natural sweetness and depth of flavor that makes this dressing shine.

I also love using our homegrown, home-dried rosemary and thyme in this dressing. Just a pinch of each adds a subtle herbal flavor that complements the sweet raspberry jam and tangy balsamic vinegar.

One of my favorite ways to serve this Raspberry Balsamic Salad Dressing is drizzled over my Harvest Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash, a beautiful combination of fresh greens, roasted butternut squash, juicy pears, crispy pepitas, and feta cheese. The sweet and tangy raspberry dressing brings all those flavors together deliciously!

This salad is special enough for the Thanksgiving table or a dinner with friends, but simple enough to enjoy throughout the fall and winter months. I love bringing it to someone’s house for dinner, and it’s equally wonderful when we’re hosting at our house.

Of course, I especially love using our homegrown squash and homemade roasted pepitas. Tahitian Melon Squash is one of my favorites because it resists squash vine borers better than standard butternut. If you’ve struggled with squash pests, don’t miss my tips for overcoming squash vine borers without chemicals.

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Raspberry Balsamic Salad Dressing Ingredients

Here’s what goes into this flavorful dressing:

• Olive oil: Smooth and rich, it forms the base of this homemade vinaigrette. I recommend a good-quality extra virgin olive oil.
• Balsamic vinegar: Thick and fruity, balancing the sweetness of the jam with just the right amount of tang.
• Dijon mustard: Adds a little bite and helps emulsify the dressing for a smooth, creamy consistency.
• Raspberry jam: Preferably homemade and honey-sweetened, for natural sweetness and a burst of berry flavor. Store-bought raspberry jam works, too.
• Unrefined sea salt: Enhances all the flavors. Use code KEEPITREAL for 15% off your order of my favorite unrefined sea salt.
• Ground black pepper: Adds a subtle kick.
• Dried rosemary: I love using our homegrown, home-dried rosemary for a hint of earthy depth.
• Dried thyme: Another favorite herb from our garden, dried thyme adds a gentle herbal note that rounds out the flavor.

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How to Make Raspberry Balsamic Salad Dressing

Making this Raspberry Balsamic Salad Dressing couldn’t be easier! All you need is a few simple ingredients, a jar, and an immersion blender.

Step 1: Combine the Ingredients

Add the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, raspberry jam, salt, pepper, rosemary, and thyme to a wide-mouth mason jar or mixing bowl.

Step 2: Blend Until Smooth

Use an immersion blender to blend everything together until smooth and creamy. The mustard helps the oil and vinegar combine, creating a beautifully emulsified dressing.

Or skip this step and just shake the dressing vigorously in a jar with a tightly sealed lid.

Step 3: Taste and Adjust

Give the dressing a taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. You can add more raspberry jam for sweetness, a splash of balsamic for extra tang, or a pinch more salt or herbs.

Step 4: Store and Serve

Transfer the dressing to a jar with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate until ready to use.

Since olive oil naturally solidifies when chilled, be sure to remove the dressing from the fridge ahead of mealtime to let it warm up.

In a hurry? Run the jar under warm water or place it in a bowl of warm water to loosen the dressing. Give it a good shake before serving.

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Tips for the Best Homemade Raspberry Balsamic Dressing

A few simple tips will help you get the best flavor and texture every time.

• Use a good balsamic vinegar. A thick, fruity balsamic makes a big difference in the finished dressing.
• Try homemade raspberry jam. I especially love the flavor of our honey-sweetened jam, but any good-quality raspberry jam will work.
• Blend rather than stir. An immersion blender makes the dressing smooth and creamy, helping the ingredients stay combined.
• Adjust to taste. If your jam or balsamic is particularly sweet, you may prefer a little less jam or a little more vinegar.
• Make it ahead. This dressing is easy to prepare in advance, making it especially convenient when hosting dinner or preparing a holiday meal.

How to Store and Freeze Raspberry Balsamic Salad Dressing

Store homemade Raspberry Balsamic Salad Dressing in a sealed glass jar in the refrigerator for up to one week.

The olive oil may become cloudy or solidify when chilled. This is completely normal! Simply allow the dressing to come to room temperature before serving, or warm the jar gently in a bowl of warm water. Shake well to recombine the ingredients.

Can you freeze raspberry balsamic dressing?

You can, although I recommend making this dressing fresh whenever possible. The texture may change after freezing, and the oil and vinegar will likely separate as the dressing thaws.

If you’d like to freeze it, transfer the dressing to a freezer-safe container, leaving a little room for expansion. Freeze for up to three months for best quality. Thaw in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature and blend again to restore its creamy consistency.

More Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes

If you enjoy this Raspberry Balsamic Salad Dressing, you’ll love these other homemade dressings from the blog:

• Honey-Sweetened Strawberry Balsamic Salad Dressing: Another fruity favorite that’s especially delicious with fresh summer greens.
• Homemade Ranch Dressing: A creamy, tangy favorite made with simple ingredients.

Whether you’re serving a beautiful harvest salad at a holiday gathering or dressing up your everyday greens, this easy homemade vinaigrette is a delicious way to make a simple salad feel special.

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Raspberry Balsamic Salad Dressing

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• Author: Kathleen | Roots & Boots
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: approx. 1 cup

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Description

This easy homemade Raspberry Balsamic Salad Dressing combines fruity balsamic vinegar, raspberry jam, olive oil, and herbs for a sweet and tangy vinaigrette that’s perfect for everyday salads or special occasions.

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Ingredients

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• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons raspberry jam, preferably honey-sweetened
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ¼ teaspoon unrefined sea salt
• ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary
• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme

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Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a wide-mouth mason jar or mixing bowl.
2. Use an immersion blender to blend until smooth and creamy. Alternatively, add a lid and shake well.
3. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
4. Transfer to a sealed glass jar and refrigerate until ready to serve.
5. Allow chilled dressing to return to room temperature before serving. Shake well to recombine.

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Notes

• Homemade honey-sweetened raspberry jam is my favorite, but store-bought jam works too.

• For a sweeter dressing, add a little extra raspberry jam. For more tang, increase the balsamic vinegar.

• Store refrigerated in a sealed jar for up to one week.

• Olive oil naturally solidifies when chilled. Allow dressing to warm before serving or place the jar in a bowl of warm water.

• Especially delicious on Green Harvest Salad with roasted squash, pears, pepitas, and feta cheese.