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Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing is the bright, tangy vinaigrette that makes any salad taste like it came from a restaurant, with apple cider vinegar, a touch of honey, dijon, and good olive oil whisked into a silky pour. I whip this up *almost every week* because it takes minutes and turns a plain bowl of greens into something my whole family actually finishes. If you love an easy homemade dressing, this one is right up there with our poppy seed dressing.
It comes together in one bowl with pantry staples, so you can skip the bottled stuff for good.
Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing Quick Look
- 🕒 Prep Time: 10 minutes
- 🌡️ Cook Time: No cook
- ⏳ Total Time: 10 minutes
- 🍽️ Serving: 0.75 cups
- ⚡ Calories: 1033kcal
- 🌶️ Flavor Profile: Bright and tangy with sweet honey, sharp dijon, and fresh chives
- ✋ Difficulty: Easy, as simple as our homemade poppy seed dressing
Quick Answer
To make apple cider vinegar dressing, whisk together apple cider vinegar, honey, mayonnaise, minced garlic, dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a bowl. While whisking constantly, slowly stream in olive oil until the dressing is smooth and emulsified. Stir in fresh chives and serve. It takes about 10 minutes and makes roughly 3/4 cup.
Jump to:
- Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing Quick Look
- Quick Answer
- Why This Recipe Works
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Key Ingredients
- Variations and Substitutions
- How to Make Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing
- Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Serving Ideas and Suggestions
- Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing FAQs
- Other Recommended Salad Recipes
- Easy Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing
Why This Recipe Works
Click to see the technique science
- Apple cider vinegar brightens. Its bright, fruity tang is the backbone of the dressing and cuts through rich greens and proteins.
- A little honey balances. Just a touch of honey rounds out the sharp vinegar without making the dressing sweet.
- Mayo and dijon emulsify. Both act as emulsifiers, helping the oil and vinegar come together into a smooth, creamy pour.
- Slow-streamed oil. Adding the olive oil gradually while whisking keeps the dressing from separating.
- Fresh garlic and chives. They add savory depth and a pop of fresh, oniony flavor in every bite.
- No cooking required. Everything whisks together in one bowl in about ten minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It is bright, tangy, and so much fresher than anything from a bottle.
- It comes together in one bowl in about 10 minutes with simple pantry ingredients.
- It is endlessly versatile on greens, grains, or slaw, like the dressing on our Asian slaw.
Key Ingredients
Here is what makes this apple cider vinegar dressing so good. Just a handful of simple ingredients you likely already have.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: The bright, tangy star of the dressing. Look for raw, unfiltered vinegar for the best flavor.
- Olive Oil: A good extra virgin olive oil gives the dressing body and a smooth, rich finish.
- Honey: Balances the sharp vinegar. Maple syrup is an easy swap to keep it vegan-friendly.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds a little sharpness and helps everything emulsify into a silky dressing.
- Mayonnaise: A small spoonful makes the dressing creamy and helps it cling to greens.
See recipe card for exact quantities.
Variations and Substitutions
This apple cider vinegar dressing is easy to tweak to your taste.
- Make it vegan: Use maple syrup instead of honey and a vegan mayonnaise.
- Add fresh herbs: Stir in chopped parsley, dill, or basil for a different twist.
- Make it creamier: Add an extra spoonful of mayonnaise or a dollop of Greek yogurt.
- Add a little heat: Whisk in a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.
- Use it as a marinade: Double the batch and use half to marinate chicken or veggies before grilling.
How to Make Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing
- In a bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, honey, mayonnaise, minced garlic, dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Whisk until the base is smooth and well combined.
- While whisking constantly, slowly stream in the olive oil until the dressing is emulsified.
- Stir in the fresh chives and serve immediately. Stir again before each use, as the dressing settles.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Stream the oil slowly while whisking so the dressing emulsifies and does not separate.
- Use raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar for the brightest, most complex flavor.
- Mince the garlic finely so it distributes evenly and does not overpower any one bite.
- Taste and adjust the honey, salt, and pepper to balance the tang to your liking.
- Store it in a jar in the fridge for up to a week, and shake well before each use.
- Let it come to room temperature before serving, as the olive oil can firm up when chilled.
- Double the batch and keep it on hand for quick weeknight salads.
Serving Ideas and Suggestions
This apple cider vinegar dressing is incredibly versatile. Drizzle it over a simple bowl of mixed greens with cherry tomatoes, or toss it with heartier salads and grain bowls for a bright, tangy finish.
It is wonderful on our cucumber tomato feta salad and kale and quinoa salad, where the tang plays off fresh veggies and crunchy add-ins. Try it on a pasta salad for a lighter alternative to creamy dressings.
It also makes a fantastic marinade. For more easy homemade dressings, check out our poppy seed dressing and the sweet-savory dressing on our Asian slaw.
Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing FAQs
This apple cider vinegar dressing is made with apple cider vinegar, olive oil, honey, mayonnaise, dijon mustard, garlic, salt, pepper, and fresh chives. It is a bright, tangy vinaigrette that comes together in one bowl.
It can be a wholesome choice. It is made with real, simple ingredients and heart-healthy olive oil, and you control the sweetness and salt. Apple cider vinegar is a popular pantry staple for its bright flavor.
Stored in an airtight jar in the refrigerator, it keeps for up to one week. The olive oil may solidify when cold, so let it sit at room temperature and shake well before serving.
Vinaigrettes naturally separate over time. The mayonnaise and dijon help it stay emulsified longer, but just give it a good whisk or shake before each use to bring it back together.
Yes. Swap the honey for maple syrup or a little sugar, or leave it out for a sharper, more savory dressing. Adjust to your taste.
It is delicious on green salads, grain bowls, slaws, roasted vegetables, and as a marinade for chicken or veggies, anywhere you want a bright, tangy lift.
Looking for more? Our homemade poppy seed dressing is another quick, from-scratch dressing worth keeping in the fridge.
Skip the bottle and make our honey mustard dressing, perfect on salads or as a dip.
Easy Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoon mayonnaise
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon finely sliced chives
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the vinegar, honey, mayonnaise, garlic, dijon, salt and pepper.1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, 2 teaspoon mayonnaise, 1 clove garlic, 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- While whisking constantly, slowly stream in the olive oil.1/3 cup olive oil
- Stir in the chives and serve immediately. Give it a good stir before each use as some ingredients will settle at the bottom.1 tablespoon finely sliced chives
Notes
- Use Braggs apple cider vinegar for that unfiltered apple cider vinegar punch, or use your favorite pasteurized brand.
- Add honey slowly—helps it blend smoothly with the part vinegar.
- Mince garlic fine with a sharp knife—no big chunks in your own dressing!
- Store in a mason jar—makes it easy to shake up for grain bowls or kale salad!
- Taste and tweak—add more salt or dijon mustard for your perfect vinaigrette!
Nutrition
Love This Recipe?
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These look and taste amazing – Thanks for the recipe!