This red wine vinaigrette recipe is a bold, Italian-style dressing made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and dried herbs. It's slightly more vinegar-forward than a classic 3:1 ratio, giving it a brighter, zippier flavor that works especially well on green salads, pasta salads, and roasted vegetables. Best of all, it comes together in minutes. Just shake everything in a jar, and you're done.
For more condiment recipes, try my spicy garlic sauce or homemade barbecue sauce.
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Quick Look: Red Wine Vinaigrette Recipe
⏱️ Prep Time: 10 minutes
🍳 Cook Time: 0 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 10 minutes
👥 Servings: 8
📊 Calories: ~67 kcal per serving (based on nutrition panel)
🔥 Cook Method: No cooking required
👩🍳 Main Ingredients: Red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil
⭐ Difficulty: Easy-combine ingredients and pour
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Why You'll Love This Red Wine Vinaigrette Recipe
Higher vinegar ratio: For more brightness and tang
Dijon mustard: Enriches the flavor and emulsifies the dressing
Honey: Balances the acidity without making it sweet
Dried oregano + thyme: Gives the dressing a concentrated herbiness
Garlic powder: Provides garlic flavor without the bitterness of raw garlic
What is the ratio for red wine vinaigrette?
The standard ratio for red wine vinaigrette is usually 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar. My version uses a slightly higher vinegar ratio (closer to 2:1) for a brighter, more pronounced tang. The Dijon mustard helps emulsify the dressing, keeping it smooth even with the extra acidity.
Salad dressings are one of the easiest recipes to whip up. They're also much less expensive to make at home and don't contain any of those pesky additives. Prepare this zippy red wine vinaigrette recipe, and you'll see.
Made with just olive oil, Dijon mustard, dried herbs, garlic powder, a drop of honey, and, you guessed it, red wine vinegar, this tart vinaigrette is the partner in crime for any salads you might want to make during the week.
You can also easily adjust it to your liking. Just check the variation options below.
Pour this vinaigrette over this blue cheese salad or salad with smoked turkey. You can also use it as a dressing substitute for the following recipes: no-mayo potato salad, cherry tomato salad, or cucumber dill salad.
Jump to:
- Quick Look: Red Wine Vinaigrette Recipe
- Why You'll Love This Red Wine Vinaigrette Recipe
- What is the ratio for red wine vinaigrette?
- What can I use this red wine vinaigrette on?
- Key Ingredients
- Variations & Substitutions
- How to Make This Red Wine Vinaigrette Recipe
- Pro Tips
- Red Wine Vinaigrette Recipe FAQs
- Serving Suggestions for This Recipe
- Red Wine Vinaigrette Recipe
What can I use this red wine vinaigrette on?
➢Green salads
➢Pasta salads
➢Grain bowls
➢Roasted vegetables
➢Sandwiches and wraps
Key Ingredients
See the recipe card for full ingredient and quantity information.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Ensure you're using extra virgin and not "ordinary" olive oil.
- Red Wine Vinegar: Adds a delicious, zippy flavor to this vinaigrette.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds body and a bit of kick.
- Dried Herbs: Provide an earthy and pungent flavor.
- Honey: The sweetness balances the vinegar's acidity.
Variations & Substitutions
➢Use any vinegar you like; just be mindful that you may need more or less than what's recommended in this recipe, depending on the type, and it could alter the results.
➢Use fresh thyme and oregano instead of dried. Start with ½ tablespoon of each.
➢Replace the thyme and oregano with any herbs you like, dried or fresh.
➢Add minced shallot to the dressing.
➢Use fresh garlic for a pungent bite.
➢Add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese (great for pasta salads).
➢Substitute the honey with granulated sugar. Start with 1 teaspoon.
How to Make This Red Wine Vinaigrette Recipe
- Combine all the ingredients in a jar and shake vigorously until well combined. You can also whisk together in a bowl.
Pro Tips
➢Use a mason jar to blend ingredients: Although you can whisk the ingredients together in a bowl, using a mason jar or a clean jar of any kind makes it easier to incorporate the ingredients and achieve optimal texture.
➢Adjust the ingredients as needed: If you find the vinaigrette too tart, add more honey. If you find it too sweet, add a splash more vinegar or a squeeze more Dijon.
Red Wine Vinaigrette Recipe FAQs
A vinaigrette is an emulsion of oil and an acid (vinegar or lemon juice), usually at a 3:1 ratio (sometimes 2:1, as in this recipe).
The secret is good-quality ingredients: Dijon mustard to stabilize the vinaigrette, add body, and enrich the flavor; a good amount of salt; and a good balance of oil and vinegar so you can taste both.
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. The longer it sits, the more the olive oil will thicken, so let the vinaigrette sit for at least 15 minutes to bring it to room temperature. Give it a good whisk or shake before using it.
Serving Suggestions for This Recipe
If you love this recipe, please take a moment to review it below. You could also tag me on Instagram (@forcarbssake) with a picture of your finished dish!
Red Wine Vinaigrette Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 5 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 3 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon honey
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt or more to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper or more to taste
Instructions
- Shake all ingredients together in a sealed jar until combined, or whisk together in a bowl until incorporated. Taste and adjust for seasoning.
Notes
- Shaking the ingredients together in a jar will help the vinaigrette emulsify better.
- Some of the mustard and honey might settle at the bottom of the jar while shaking it. Use a spoon to scrape the bottom to help incorporate them back into the dressing, then place the lid back on the jar and shake again.
Nutrition
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This vinaigrette has the perfect zing and is delicious on my salads.