This maple salad dressing is a simple, homemade vinaigrette made with real maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, olive oil, and a blend of herbs. It’s sweet, tangy, and versatile enough to drizzle over seasonal salads, roasted vegetables, grain bowls, or even as a marinade. With just a few pantry ingredients and no blending required, this maple balsamic vinaigrette is the only dressing recipe you’ll need this season.
Table of Contents
- The Cozy, Sweet-Savory Salad Dressing I Keep Coming Back To
- Why You’ll Love This Maple Salad Dressing Recipe
- Ingredients in Maple Salad Dressing (And Why They Matter)
- Substitutions & Variations
- How to Make Maple Salad Dressing
- Expert Tips for Making the Best Maple Vinaigrette
- How to Store Maple Salad Dressing
- Final Thoughts
- Connect with Me
The Cozy, Sweet-Savory Salad Dressing I Keep Coming Back To
Fall and winter salad season is officially here! Think roasted squash, crisp apples, kale, pecans, and grains. But let’s be honest: even the best seasonal salad is only as good as its dressing. That’s why this maple Dijon salad dressing has become a staple in my kitchen.
This recipe came about after testing a variety of maple syrup dressings over the years and always feeling like something was missing…too sweet, too sharp, or too oily. I tested and adjusted until this vinaigrette struck the perfect balance: sweet from real maple syrup, sharp and savory from Dijon mustard, mellowed by extra virgin olive oil, and made cozy with a touch of dried herbs. It’s smooth, silky, and packs far more flavor than anything you’ll find in a bottle.
What makes this version unique is the thoughtful layering of flavor and texture — including an optional boost of chia seeds for added nutrition and body. It’s easy enough for everyday use but feels elevated enough to serve at your next dinner party or holiday gathering.
Why You’ll Love This Maple Salad Dressing Recipe
As a home and lifestyle expert and a professional recipe developer for food brands, I’m always looking to create recipes that feel special yet simple. This maple balsamic dressing has earned a permanent spot in my fridge because:
- It’s quick — takes 5 minutes and one jar or bowl.
- It’s naturally dairy-free and gluten-free.
- It’s made with pantry staples (you probably already have everything on hand).
- It stores beautifully — and gets even better after a day in the fridge.
- It has the ideal balance of sweet, tangy, and savory for seasonal dishes.
I test every recipe multiple times before it lands here, and this one was adjusted until it was just right. It’s the kind of salad dressing with maple syrup and Dijon mustard that turns even a simple bowl of greens into something crave-worthy.
Ingredients in Maple Salad Dressing (And Why They Matter)
Let’s take a look at what makes this vinaigrette shine:
- Real maple syrup – Use 100% pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup. It brings natural sweetness and complexity. Grade A dark works best for richer flavor.
- Balsamic vinegar – Adds tang and depth. Aged balsamic will be sweeter; regular works beautifully too.
- Extra virgin olive oil – Provides richness and that signature silky finish.
- Dijon mustard – The secret star. It adds creaminess and acts as a natural emulsifier.
- Minced garlic (optional) – For a little extra zing. Skip if you want a smoother finish.
- Dried oregano & basil – Add cozy, herbaceous depth without overpowering the dressing.
- Salt & black pepper – To balance the sweetness and bring out all the other flavors.
- Chia seeds (optional) – These thicken the dressing slightly as it sits and add fiber and healthy fats.
Quick Tip
Always taste your dressing before serving. Everyone’s vinegar and maple preferences are different, so adjust sweetness or tang to suit your salad.
Substitutions & Variations
Make it your own with these easy tweaks:
- Creamy version: Add 1–2 tablespoons of mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, or tahini to create a creamy maple vinaigrette dressing.
- No mustard: Skip Dijon for a simpler maple balsamic vinaigrette. Add a bit more vinegar for brightness.
- Citrus twist: Swap balsamic for lemon juice or orange juice for a lighter, more vibrant flavor.
- Add fresh herbs: Try fresh thyme or rosemary if you’re pairing it with roasted vegetables.
- Make it spicy: A pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce adds great contrast to sweet maple.
This maple mustard vinaigrette is super versatile — it works on warm grain bowls, spinach salads, kale slaws, and even as a glaze for roasted carrots or sweet potatoes.
How to Make Maple Salad Dressing
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Yields: About ½ cup (enough for 4–6 servings)
Method: No blender, no whisking bowl required — just shake it up!
Ingredients
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp real maple syrup
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 garlic cloves, minced (optional)
- ½ tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp chia seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a mason jar or small bowl, combine the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and garlic.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in dried basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and chia seeds if using.
- Shake or Whisk: Shake the jar vigorously or whisk until emulsified and smooth.
- Taste and Adjust: Add more maple syrup for sweetness or more vinegar for tang if desired.
- Serve: Drizzle over your favorite salads, grain bowls, or roasted veggies.
Expert Tips for Making the Best Maple Vinaigrette
- Use good quality ingredients – Since this dressing is raw, the flavor of your olive oil and vinegar really matters.
- Shake before serving – Natural separation happens. A quick shake brings everything back together.
- Let it sit – If you have time, let the dressing rest for 10–15 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.
- Warm dressing slightly if serving over roasted veggies — it coats better and enhances flavor.
How to Store Maple Salad Dressing
- Refrigerator: Store in a sealed jar or container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- Shake before using: The olive oil may solidify slightly in the fridge. Just bring to room temperature or run the jar under warm water and shake well.
- Batch it: Double the recipe and keep a jar in your fridge to use all week.
More Salad Dressing Recipes to Try
Recipe FAQ
Final Thoughts
This maple salad dressing recipe has become a favorite in my kitchen for good reason — it’s balanced, bold, and flexible. Whether you’re dressing a holiday salad, prepping a grain bowl for lunch, or simply trying to eat more greens, this vinaigrette adds warmth, brightness, and just the right amount of sweetness.
If you’re looking for a maple Dijon vinaigrette that’s quick to make, made with real ingredients, and tested until perfect, you’ve found it. I hope it becomes your go-to too.
If you make it, tag me on social or leave a comment — I love seeing how you bring these recipes to life!
Connect with Me
For more delicious and easy recipes, follow me on Instagram and join me over on Facebook where I share recipes daily!
Maple Vinaigrette Recipe
This easy maple vinaigrette combines the rich sweetness of real maple syrup with tangy apple cider vinegar and dijon mustard. Perfect for dressing salads or roasted veggies!
Ingredients
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp real maple syrup
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1 tsp chia seeds (for extra texture and nutrition)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a small bowl or mason jar, combine the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, maple syrup, dijon mustard, and minced garlic.
- Add Herbs and Seasonings: Stir in the dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add the optional chia seeds for a nutritional boost if desired.
- Whisk or Shake: Whisk the ingredients together until well combined, or shake the jar vigorously until the dressing emulsifies and becomes smooth.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the vinaigrette and adjust seasoning as needed. You can add more maple syrup for sweetness or extra vinegar for tang.
- Serve: Drizzle over your favorite salads, roasted vegetables, or grain bowls.
Notes
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.
