Perfect for any summer salad, this fresh herb vinaigrette combines the flavors of olive oil, fresh herbs, and wine vinegar to create a healthy and delightful addition to your meals.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Herb Salad Dressing
- Health Benefits
- Healthy Herb Salad Dressing Ingredients & Variations
- How to Make this Easy Salad Dressing
- How to Store This Homemade Salad Dressing
- Nutritional Information
- Tips for Success
- Other Salad Dressings You’ll Love
As the sunnier days approach, what better way to embrace the warm weather than with a refreshing, herb-packed salad dressing? My homemade salad dressing recipe is packed with fresh garden herbs, and is my ultimate choice for all my summer salads.
Why You’ll Love This Herb Salad Dressing
Imagine drizzling a light, zesty herb vinaigrette dressing over your crisp greens, instantly brightening up your plate. My recipe is the perfect blend of olive oil, white wine vinegar, and a mix of fresh herbs. Best part? You can use your favorite herbs or whatever you have on hand.
Health Benefits
This herb salad dressing isn’t just delicious—it’s packed with health benefits. Olive oil serves as a heart-healthy fat that helps absorb vitamins from your salad more efficiently. The fresh herbs not only add unique flavors but also come with their own set of vitamins and antioxidants, supporting overall wellness.
Inspiration Behind the Recipe
Inspired by the abundance of fresh herbs typically found in summer gardens, I was inspired to create a salad dressing to uses up ingredients like parsley, chives, and optional additions like mint or basil. It’s a flexible recipe that encourages using what you have on hand, ensuring nothing goes to waste!
Healthy Herb Salad Dressing Ingredients & Variations
Base Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 minced shallot
- 3 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp finely chopped parsley
- 1 tbsp finely chopped chives
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Variations
- Add 1 tbsp of finely chopped mint or basil for a different herbal note.
- Substitute white wine vinegar with red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar for a twist in flavor.
- For a zestier profile, add 2 tablespoons lemon juice.
How to Make this Easy Salad Dressing
- Begin by finely chopping the parsley, chives, and any other herbs you’re using.
- In a bowl, combine the olive oil, minced shallot, vinegar, honey, chopped herbs, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning or acidity with more salt, pepper, or vinegar as needed. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Whisk everything together until well blended.
Tip: For a smoother texture, place the ingredients in a food processor or blender and pulse until creamy.
How to Store This Homemade Salad Dressing
To store this herbed homemade salad dressing, keep it in an airtight container such as a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Store it in the refrigerator to maintain freshness. This recipe as well as most homemade dressings, especially those with fresh ingredients like herbs and garlic, can last for about 1 to 2 weeks.
Nutritional Information
Per tablespoon, this dressing is approximately:
- Calories: 45
- Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Protein: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
Tips for Success
- Fresh is Best: Use the freshest herbs you can find to maximize the flavors in this vinaigrette dressing.
- Let It Marinate: Allowing the dressing to sit for at least 30 minutes before serving can significantly enhance the depth of flavors.
- Storage: Keep the dressing refrigerated in an airtight container for up to a week.
Other Salad Dressings You’ll Love
- The Best Homemade Feta Salad Dressing
- Creamy Honey and Lime Salad Dressing
- Lemon and Basil Vinaigrette
- Blood Orange Vinaigrette
Did you make this recipe? Drop a comment or join me over on Instagram at @may.eighty.five and let me know what you think!
Herb Salad Dressing
Perfect for any summer salad, this fresh herb vinaigrette combines fresh flavors of olive oil, fresh herbs, and wine vinegar to create a healthy and delightful addition to your meals.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 minced shallot
- 3 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp finely chopped parsley
- 1 tbsp finely chopped chives
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by finely chopping the parsley, chives, and any other herbs you’re using.
- In a bowl, combine the olive oil, minced shallot, vinegar, honey, chopped herbs, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning or acidity with more salt, pepper, or vinegar as needed. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Whisk everything together until well blended.
Notes
Keep it in an airtight container such as a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Christopher is a food and lifestyle expert, recipe developer and the content creator behind May Eighty Five. With over 6 years of creating recipes for your favourite food brands, he also shares tips, tricks and how to’s that he has learnt over the years. Every week, he shares quick, simple and mostly healthy recipes along with some home and entertaining tips. You will find flavorful cocktails, delicious appetizers, tasty mains and some indulgent desserts.
