Red Wine Vinaigrette

Red wine vinaigrette is a basic recipe that has anything but basic flavor. This simple vinaigrette will transform your salad from drab to fab. Just mix up some simple ingredients and then use it however you choose!

Red Wine Vinaigrette Recipe

Every fresh salad deserves a dressing that will do justice to the bed of fresh greens topped with all of your favorite salad toppings. Sure, store-bought dressings are good, but making your own salad dressing is just so much better.

This homemade Italian red wine vinaigrette is to die for. The tangy flavor of the vinegar matched with the perfect amount of olive oil and seasonings, just perfect.

A versatile dressing recipe, like this one, can be used on any salad you want. Toss it with a side salad or drizzle it on top of your favorite salad you plan to eat for a meal!

Everyone has their go-to favorite dressing for a salad, and it can be difficult to break out of that mold. However, making your own salad dressing is so easy and quick that you may find you like it far more than you realize.

And that salad you're topping with red wine vinegar dressing, pair it with a delicious lemon orzo pasta, cheesy garlic bread, and of course some homemade croutons. A five-star meal that you'll want to eat over and over and over again!

Why You'll Love this Recipe

• Making your own dressing keeps your salads free of artificial flavors and preservatives. A fresh salad dressing is the healthiest way to eat a salad.
• This 5-minute recipe won't take up extra time when you're in a rush. Really, it takes just a few minutes longer than it does to find that bottle of store-bought dressing in the sea of bottles in the fridge door.
• Homemade dressings can be made ahead of time and stored for later. Perfect for my meal prepping friends!

Ingredients

Make a homemade vinaigrette with pantry staples you likely already have on hand. Here is the ingredient list so you can make sure you have all that you need for red wine vinaigrette!

• red wine vinegar
• honey
• dijon mustard
• olive oil
• salt
• dried rosemary

Substitutions and Variations

Don't have honey on hand? Swap it out for some maple syrup to add the perfect amount of sweetness to this easy recipe. Some vinaigrette recipes use brown sugar, so you could try that out as well!

If you prefer a more herby flavor to your classic red wine vinaigrette, use Italian seasoning or pizza seasoning instead of just dried rosemary. Some fresh garlic or garlic powder, black pepper and other fresh herbs would also add bold flavors.

Although this is a recipe for a simple red wine vinaigrette, it is super versatile. You can use this same great recipe with other types of vinegar. Balsamic vinegar, white wine vinegar, and apple cider vinegar would all work in this recipe.

The distinct flavor of extra-virgin olive oil is best for homemade Italian dressing, However, you can replace it with some avocado oil or another neutral oil if you've run out of olive.

Best Salad Toppings with Red Wine Vinaigrette

While you can use any of your favorite toppings, there are a few specific salad toppings that pair wonderfully with the zesty flavor of red wine vinegar.

Red onion and green bell peppers always go so well in a greens and vegetable salad. A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a little kick that is so yummy for a salad!

Add parmesan cheese or feta cheese to the top of your salad for creamy element against the tasty dressing with tangy flavor. You can also add extra tang with a drizzle of lemon juice over your favorite salad or some crispy green apples.

For a crunchy element, make some homemade croutons or add crushed pecans, sliced almonds, or walnut pieces.

How to Make Red Wine Vinaigrette

Place red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, dijon mustard, and honey into a small bowl or a mason jar. Then add the salt and dried rosemary.

Whisk briskly for a minute or two, or add the lid on top of the jar and shake well.

Taste the dressing and season it to taste if needed.

Use immediately on any leafy green salad, or store for later.

Uses for Red Wine Vinaigrette

Not only can red wine vinaigrette be used on crunchy salad greens, but you can use it in pasta salad, as a marinade, and more.

This easy red wine vinaigrette is a great marinade for chicken. The tangy flavor also makes it a fabulous marinade for steak and pork too. You can even use it in my recipe for sheet pan chicken and veggies!

Add extra flavor to your steamed broccoli or oven roasted green beans by tossing them in some tangy red wine vinaigrette. Roasted vegetables drizzled in homemade dressing is always tasty too.

How to Store Leftover Red Wine Vinaigrette

Place leftovers of this red wine vinaigrette dressing recipe into a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid or other airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for a few weeks.

When you are ready to use, give it a good shake to incorporate the vinaigrette ingredients again. Then use as normal!

Tips for Success

Here are a few tips and tricks so that you can be successful making this great recipe:

• Local honey will not only give the best flavor, but you will gain great health benefits from it too! Always use local honey if possible.
• If you make vinaigrette recipes a lot, invest in a good reusable salad dressing dispenser. Your dressings will be easily dispensed in a steady stream and it can be used for all of your favorite recipes!
• If you're picky about the ratio of oil to vinegar, use a little less oil in the beginning and then add more if needed. I personally think this is a great balance of flavors, but everyone has different preferences so feel free to adjust the recipe as necessary!

FAQ

More Vinaigrette and Marinade Recipes

• Honey Vinaigrette
• Strawberry Vinaigrette
• Cilantro Lime Chicken Marinade
• Lemon Chicken Marinade