This easy honey Dijon vinaigrette recipe combines extra-virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey in a sweet and tangy dressing ready in five minutes. It is smooth, fresh, and easy to use with salads, vegetables, chicken, and salmon.
Why You'll Love My Honey Dijon Vinaigrette
- Ready in Five Minutes: Add everything to a jar, shake, and the dressing is ready to serve.
- Simple Pantry Ingredients: You only need six everyday ingredients and no special equipment.
- Easy to Adjust: Add a little more honey for sweetness or extra vinegar for a sharper flavour.
- Useful Beyond Salads: Drizzle it over grain bowls, roasted vegetables, chicken, salmon, or pasta salad.
Since I eat salads so often, having a homemade dressing in the fridge makes it much easier to turn a bowl of simple vegetables into something I look forward to eating. I started making this Honey Dijon vinaigrette because I wanted a dressing that felt lighter than a creamy dressing but still had enough flavour to bring everything together. Some days I want the herbs and garlic in my homemade Italian dressing, while other days I prefer the fresh ginger flavour of my Hibachi ginger dressing. This is the one I reach for when I want something smooth, bright, and slightly sweet without getting out the blender.
The flavour starts with the sharpness of apple cider vinegar and Dijon mustard, followed by just enough honey to soften the acidity. Extra-virgin olive oil gives the vinaigrette a smooth, lightly rich texture without making it feel heavy. Shaking everything together in a jar helps the mustard bind the oil and vinegar into a dressing that coats lettuce instead of running straight to the bottom of the bowl. The sweet and tangy balance also works well beyond salads, especially with my Italian grilled chicken thighs or drizzled over a fresh tuna pasta salad.
Key Ingredients in Honey Dijon Vinaigrette
These ingredients work together to create the sweet, tangy flavour and smooth texture that make this dressing so useful.
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: I prefer a mild, fruity extra-virgin olive oil because its flavour remains noticeable in a dressing this simple. A very bitter oil can overpower the honey and mustard.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: This gives the vinaigrette its bright acidity with a slightly fruity flavour. I find it softer and more rounded than plain white vinegar.
- Dijon Mustard: Dijon adds tang and helps bring the oil and vinegar together. It also gives the dressing a smoother texture and more depth than vinegar alone.
- Honey, Salt, and Black Pepper: Honey balances the vinegar without making the dressing overly sweet. Salt brings the ingredients together, while freshly ground black pepper adds a gentle savoury finish.
How to Make Honey Dijon Vinaigrette Dressing
Follow these simple steps to prepare the dressing. You will find the complete measurements in the recipe card below.
1. Add Everything at Once: Pour the extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper into a small jar or bowl.
2. Whisk or Shake Well: Use a fork, small whisk, or just shake the jar with the lid on until it's well combined.
3. Taste and Adjust: If you like it sweeter, add a bit more honey. For more tang, try a splash more vinegar.
4. Serve or Store: Use it right away, or store in the fridge for up to one week. Just shake it up again before using.
Helpful Swaps
- White Wine Vinegar: Use it instead of apple cider vinegar for a cleaner and slightly sharper flavour.
- Mild Olive Oil: A lighter olive oil works well when your extra-virgin olive oil tastes particularly strong or peppery.
- Maple Syrup: Replace the honey with maple syrup for a slightly different sweetness and a vegan-friendly dressing.
- Wholegrain Mustard: Use it instead of Dijon when you want visible mustard seeds and more texture.
Tips for Honey Dijon Vinaigrette
Use Room-Temperature Ingredients: Honey and mustard mix more easily when they are not very cold. This helps the dressing come together quickly and evenly.
Choose the Olive Oil Carefully: Because the recipe contains only a few ingredients, the olive oil has a noticeable effect on the finished flavour. I use one that tastes mild and fruity rather than strongly bitter.
Leave Space in the Jar: Use a jar that is larger than the amount of dressing you are making. The extra room allows the ingredients to move properly while you shake them.
Taste It with Lettuce: A spoonful of vinaigrette can taste stronger than it will on a finished salad. I dip in a lettuce leaf before adjusting the honey, vinegar, or salt because it gives me a better idea of the final balance.
Storage
I keep this Honey Dijon vinaigrette in a tightly sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to seven days. The olive oil may become thicker when cold, so I leave the jar at room temperature for 10-15 minutes and shake it well before serving.
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Recipe
Honey Dijon Vinaigrette Recipe
Ingredients
- 80 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 40 ml apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoon honey
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Add 80 ml extra virgin olive oil, 40 ml apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp honey, ¼ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper to a small jar or bowl.
- Secure the lid tightly and shake for 20-30 seconds, until the ingredients are fully combined and the vinaigrette looks smooth.
- Taste the dressing. Add a small amount of honey for more sweetness or a splash of apple cider vinegar for a sharper flavour.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate in the sealed jar until needed. Shake well again before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Molly says
Light, tangy, and just sweet enough, this Honey Dijon Vinaigrette is my go-to for salads and quick marinades!