Skip the bottled dressings and make your own zesty vinaigrette at home! This EASY Apple Cider Vinaigrette recipe comes together in seconds and is healthy with a flavor packed punch. Made with simple ingredients you already have in your kitchen.

Apple Cider Vinaigrette in a jar with a mini whisk.

Sometimes eating a salad can be a struggle. You really want a burger but you know, deep in your heart, that you should just eat some greens. But salad can be boring unless you have the right salad dressing and the bottled dressings at the store are not always enticing.

The best way to get around all of that is by making your own salad dressing at home. It’s super easy to do with simple pantry ingredients and this Homemade Apple Cider Vinaigrette is no exception. It’s zesty, vibrant and healthy! 

I used my favorite Chick-fil-a apple cider vinaigrette as the inspiration for the flavors I wanted in this easy salad dressing. To keep it healthy, I use raw apple cider vinaigrette with the mother, the byproducts of the fermentation process, to get some of that gut-friendly bacteria that’s said to promote healing from within.

Simple Ingredients You Will Need

  • Vinegar – Raw Apple Cider Vinegar is the base for this salad dressing recipe. If you want to substitute another vinegar for a simple vinaigrette, it will work well. Some of my swaps include red wine vinegar, champagne vinegar and balsamic vinegar.
  • Mustard – Creamy Dijon Mustard has the perfect tanginess to add flavor and richness. You can substitute with honey mustard for a sweeter flavor.
  • Honey – A necessary touch of sweetness, honey adds the perfect balance to the vinegar. If you don’t have honey, you can substitute with maple syrup, date syrup or agave syrup.
  • Olive oil – For all dressings, I always use extra-virgin olive oil. Something fruity, rather than peppery, blends beautifully with the apple cider vinegar. But any good olive oil or other neutral oil, like avocado oil, you have on hand will work well.
  • Seasoning – I use just kosher sal and black pepper.

For the full ingredient list and instructions, see the recipe card below.

Apple Cider Vinagrette being poured over a salad.

What is Vinaigrette Dressing?

A Vinaigrette Dressing is made by mixing an oil with something acidic such as vinegar or lemon juice. You can add just about any herbs or spices you like to mix up the flavor as I did with this vinaigrette recipe.

For the acid, we’re using apple cider vinegar and mixing it with extra virgin olive oil. To achieve a creamy apple cider vinaigrette, I whisked in a bit of mustard which helps pull together all the ingredients so they’re light and creamy.

Apple cider vinegar, or cider vinegar, is made from fermented apple juice and is claimed to have a number of health benefits from weight loss to reducing cholesterol, as well as, lowering blood sugar.

It’s used in salad dressings, marinades, vinaigrettes, food preservatives, and chutneys. It is made by crushing apples, then extracting the juice. I love Bragg’s Vinegar and have been using it for years. (You can click the link below to have it sent right to your house!!)

This is the only brand of Apple Cider Vinegar I buy. It’s clean, organic and mild enough to take a shot of in the morning. I use it in 100’s of recipes.

Click to Buy

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Bragg Apple Cider vinegar bottle on a wicker placemat.

How to Make Apple Cider Vinaigrette

This easy recipe comes together in just 2 minutes.

  1. Add all the ingredients to a small bowl.
  2. Whisk until well combined.
  3. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Honey being added to a glass jar to make apple cider vinaigrette.
Apple cider vinaigrette being whisked in a glass jar.
apple cider vinaigrette dressing in a glass jar with a whisk.

How to Use Apple Cider Vinaigrette

While I LOVE to douse a simple green salad and house salad with this dressing, it also makes a fantastic marinade for meats and poultry. I usually use this Chicken Marinade but when I want to mix things up and lighten up that flavor, this apple cider dressing certainly does the trick.

It’s also fantastic for drizzling over sauteed green beans or a pile of roasted potatoes. It’s a simple way to change the flavor profile of so many dishes.

How to Store Leftovers

Transfer any leftover apple cider vinegar salad dressing to an airtight container or mason jar with a tight-fitting lid and store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

Allow the dressing to sit at room temperature until the olive oil is liquid because it will become solid when it’s chilled. Give the container or jar a good shake to blend everything together.

apple cider vinaigrette dressing in a glass jar with a whisk.

Vinaigrette vs. Dressing

While a vinaigrette can also be called a salad dressing, there is a difference between the two. A vinaigrette is always made from a base of oil and vinegar (or another adic) while a dressing is most often mayonnaise based and creamy.

The terms can be used interchangeably and I think we’re all pretty smart enough to know that a vinaigrette is primarily used to dress a salad. This easy Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing (see what I did there?) is a fantastic way to amp up a bowl of greens.

More Easy Salad Dressing Recipes

And if you’re looking for something with a little more depth of flavor this easy Greek Salad Dressing is PHENOMENAL! It takes a little more time to make (like an extra minute) but your efforts will be rewarded.

If you’re looking for more easy HOMEMADE Salad Dressings, we are loving this lighter Thousand Island Dressing. It’s fantastic on your leftover corned beef sandwiches! Or make this simple Blue Cheese Dressing for dipping your favorite veggies. 

We’re also in love with this easy Avocado Ranch Dressing and this simple Ginger Miso Dressing.…they’re both so fresh and light!

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apple cider vinaigrette dressing in a glass jar with a whisk.

Get the Recipe: Apple Cider Vinaigrette Recipe

Yield: 8
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Quick and simple, Apple Cider Vinaigrette comes together in seconds with healthy ingredients you already have in your kitchen.
5 from 7 votes
Print Recipe Rate Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp dijon mustard
  • 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and pepper

Equipment

  • 1 whisk

Instructions 

  • Whisk together the mustard, vinegar, honey and olive oil until thoroughly combined. The mixture will start to thicken and appear creamy.
  • Season with salt and pepper, to taste. (Add additional herbs, if desired.)
  • Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.

Notes

Best if used within three days and stored at room temperature. 
Calories: 91kcal, Carbohydrates: 2g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 22mg, Potassium: 7mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Iron: 1mg
Author: Kellie
Course: Condiment, dressing, salad dressing
Cuisine: American