Apple Cider Vinaigrette with Garlic
Sweet and tangy! Our apple cider vinaigrette is a flavour explosion that combines the bright acidity of apple cider vinegar with the rich flavour of olive oil, Dijon mustard, and a hint of garlic. A crowd pleaser that pairs with so many dishes.
Why You’ll Love Apple Cider Vinaigrette with Garlic
This apple cider vinaigrette recipe is a winner of a salad dressing. It offers a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savoury flavours, making it a favourite among salad lovers.
We love it because of its simplicity. With just a few basic ingredients like apple cider vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, and garlic, you can whip up a batch of this dressing in minutes.
It is a quick and easy way to elevate your salads and something you can always make in advance. Love the richness of the olive oil and the peppery bite of the Dijon mustard.
Love the versatility of simple apple cider vinaigrette. It forms a great base for customising to suit any dish you’re cooking up or if you just want to experiment with different tastes. You can drizzle some honey for sweetness, some cayenne pepper to spice it up, or maybe even some herbs like thyme or rosemary.
A quick salad dressing is a salad dressing worth keeping!
Can You Mix Olive Oil with Apple Cider Vinegar?
Yes, you can mix olive oil with apple cider vinegar to make a simple vinaigrette dressing. In fact, this combination is a popular choice for homemade salad dressings due to its delicious flavour and health benefits.
The olive oil adds a rich and smooth texture, while the apple cider vinegar adds a tangy and slightly sweet flavour. When mixed, they create a well-balanced dressing that can be used to enhance the flavour of salads, vegetables, and other dishes.
While they don’t naturally mix, with a little whisking, the olive oil and vinegar can be emulsified using the mustard in the dressing.
How Much Olive Oil and Apple Cider Vinegar for Salad Dressing?
The ratio of oil to vinegar in a traditional vinaigrette is 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar.
However, as you’re making this at home, you are always more than welcome to adjust it to suit your palette.
This ratio is used a lot in our recipes such as our anchovy lemon vinaigrette and classic balsamic vinaigrette.
Ingredients
These are the ingredients you need for apple cider vinaigrette:
- Olive oil: This is one of those vinaigrettes that does not follow the classic vinaigrette 3:1 ratio. It has equal parts oil to vinegar, as we’re after a more tart and runny dressing. Great for leafy salads.
- Apple cider vinegar: Love a good vinegar with a hint of apple notes. An organic apple cider vinegar would be our preference.
- Dijon mustard: Pungent, peppery, smooth, and creamy. The perfect emulsifier for this recipe.
- Garlic: Crush the garlic and discard the skin. Just pop it into the dressing and let it do its work. The longer you let it infuse, the stronger and more pronounced the flavours. Strong garlic flavours work well with salads so you should also try our creamy garlic dressing and lemon parsley anchovy and garlic dressing.
Variations and Substitutions
Type of mustard: I love a good mustard in a salad dressing. If you want a kick, experiment with wholegrain mustard, a seeded version, or even hot English mustard.
Herb-infused vinaigrette: In lieu or in addition to the garlic, you can use some fresh herbs such as basil, thyme, or rosemary. After the emulsion is complete, add chopped herbs in the end and mix until well combined.
Adding a sweetener: A honey mustard vinaigrette with apple cider vinegar is yet another popular salad dressing. The usual addition of honey, maple syrup or rice malt syrup are all popular choices. You can also use a bit of stevia if you’re needing a sugar free alternative but the flavour won’t be quite the same.
Creamy version: Whisk in a spoonful of Greek yogurt or mayonnaise for a creamy apple cider vinaigrette. Creaminess balances the acidity and adds richness.
Added vinegar: If you think the apple cider vinegar isn’t enough, you can always add balsamic vinegar or even a small dollop of the balsamic glaze. The sticky sweetness would be a welcome addition to this quick and easy dressing.
Instructions
Step by step instructions for how to make apple cider vinaigrette:
In a small mixing bowl, add apple cider vinegar and slowly pour in the olive oil and whisk until emulsified.
Add the mustard.
Add a smashed garlic clove to the dressing and whisk to combine. This will infuse the dressing with a subtle garlic flavour. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Overnight if possible!
How To Make This Dressing Perfectly [Expert Tips]
Garlic infusion: Peel and crush a fresh clove of garlic. The more you crush them, the more oils they’ll release. Add more if you want a truly garlicky flavour. Avoid using pre-minced garlic, as it lacks the intensity and depth of flavour.
Infusion time: Let the smashed garlic clove sit in the dressing for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the garlic to infuse its flavour into the dressing. If you can make it ahead of time, a few hours or even overnight would be great!
Emulsification properly: To achieve a perfectly blended vinaigrette, emulsify the ingredients. Whisk the dressing vigorously while slowly drizzling in the olive oil. This helps emulsify the ingredients and creates a creamy texture.
Taste and adjust: Always taste your vinaigrette and adjust as needed. If it’s too tangy, add more mustard or olive oil. If it’s too oily, add a splash of vinegar. Add some seasoning if you wish.
How to Store
Store any leftover dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavours will continue to develop over time, so it may taste even better the next day.
Best Salad for This Dressing
Asparagus, Roasted Onion and Balsamic Tomato Salad
Need a leafy salad but not sure how to make it dinner party worthy? We show you how to elevate those leaves with this balsamic tomato salad mixed through with sweet roasted onions and crunchy asparagus.
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Apple Cider Vinaigrette with Garlic
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, smashed
Click on the toggle below for conversion to US Cooking Units.
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, add apple cider vinegar and slowly drizzle in the olive oil and whisk until emulsified.
- Add mustard.
- Add a smashed garlic clove to the dressing and whisk to combine. This will infuse the dressing with a subtle garlic flavour. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Overnight if possible!
Notes
- You can use any type of mustard. Experiment with wholegrain mustard, a seeded version, or even hot English mustard.
- In lieu or in addition to the garlic, you can use some fresh herbs such as basil, thyme, or rosemary. After the emulsion is complete, add chopped herbs in the end and mix until well combined.
- For a sweet recipe, you can add honey, maple syrup or rice malt syrup are all popular choices. You can also use a bit of stevia if you’re needing a sugar free alternative but the flavour won’t be quite the same.
- For a creamy version, whisk in a spoonful of Greek yogurt or mayonnaise for a creamy apple cider vinaigrette. Creaminess balances the acidity and adds richness.
- If you think the apple cider vinegar isn’t enough, you can always add balsamic vinegar or even a small dollop of the balsamic glaze. The sticky sweetness would be a welcome addition to this quick and easy dressing.
- For a really garlicky finish, peel and crush a fresh clove of garlic. The more you crush them, the more oils they’ll release. Add more if you want a truly garlicky flavour. Avoid using pre-minced garlic, as it lacks the intensity and depth of flavour.
- Let the smashed garlic clove sit in the dressing for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the garlic to infuse its flavour into the dressing. If you can make it ahead of time, a few hours or even overnight would be great!
- To achieve a perfectly blended vinaigrette, emulsify the ingredients. Whisk the dressing vigorously while slowly drizzling in the olive oil. This helps emulsify the ingredients and creates a creamy texture.
- Always taste your vinaigrette and adjust as needed. If it’s too tangy, add more mustard or olive oil. If it’s too oily, add a splash of vinegar. Add some seasoning if you wish.
Nutrition
*Disclaimer: Nutritional information provided is an estimate only and generated by an online calculator.
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Hi, can i infuse the garlic with the oil first and then make the dressing? not sure if that would make a difference in the taste?
Hey Kerry! Yes you can. We have garlic infused oil in the fridge all the time for all that Asian cooking so you can definitely use that.
I love garlic flavor and this dressing is perfect for me to add to my salad.
This goes great on everything! Such a flavor bomb!
Amazing thanks!
This is a great recipe for ACV! I made this for an apple kale salad and it was wonderful!
Yum! Apple and kale is such a great combo. Glad the dressing complemented it.
Oohh I love this dressing! It’s simple yet flavorful and I added some extra apple cider vinegar for even more tang!
Correct! Glad you liked it. Thanks for letting us know:)
This is a great recipe for apple cider vinaigrette with mustard and garlic. Very balanced and can be taken in all kinds of direction. I added honey and dill to mine the last time I made it, transforming it into a mustard-honey vinaigrette. Will sure make it again either as is or slightly modified.
Oh I love the addition of dill in it! What a great idea…..can I steal it? lol
Oh my, this looks tasty and very enticing! Plus it’s a healthy dressing for everyone to love and enjoy!
A perfect dressing for us garlic lovers!!
Yessssss!!!! LOL