Red Wine Vinaigrette Recipe
Whip up this zingy red wine vinaigrette recipe in minutes, and keep it on hand throughout the week to liven up your favorite salads!
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Salad dressings are one of the easiest recipes to whip up, and I always enjoy making them. There’s something satisfying about adding just a handful of ingredients to a jar, shaking them together vigorously (the best part!), and getting a beautiful vinaigrette—just like that.
They’re also much less expensive to make at home than purchasing at the grocery store, and that includes this zingy red wine vinaigrette recipe.
Made with only olive oil, Dijon mustard, dried herbs, garlic powder, a drop of honey, and red wine vinegar, this tart red wine vinaigrette is the perfect partner for any salads you might want to make during the week. You can also easily adjust it to your liking.
Why You’ll Love This Red Wine Vinaigrette Recipe
- It’s better than store-bought: This vinaigrette has no additives or unnecessary ingredients that you might find in store-bought brands.
- It takes minutes to prepare: For something so quick and easy to make, you won’t have time to miss the ready-made dressings from the store.
- It’s economical: Many vinaigrettes use ingredients you’re likely to already have on hand, so you might not even need to spend money to make this one.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Ensure you’re using extra virgin and not “ordinary” olive oil.
- Red Wine Vinegar: You can sub with another vinegar you like, but it could alter the taste.
- Dijon Mustard: This adds body and some kick.
- Dried Oregano: This provides an earthy and pungent flavor.
- Garlic Powder: This adds lots of flavor to the vinaigrette.
- Honey: The sweetness balances the acidity of the vinegar.
- Dried Thyme: Its slight citrus flavor adds a nice freshness here.
See the recipe card below for more information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make This Red Wine Vinaigrette Recipe
- Mix all ingredients: In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk or shake all ingredients together until well incorporated.
Pro Tips
Use a mason jar to blend the ingredients: Although you can whisk the ingredients together in a bowl, using a mason jar or clean jar of any kind makes it much easier to incorporate the ingredients and achieve a cohesive 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.
Suggestions for Variations and 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 any mustard you like. Just make sure it’s not flavored with anything like spices, dill, etc.
- Use fresh thyme and oregano instead of dried. Start with 1/2 tablespoon of each.
- Replace the thyme and oregano with any herbs you like, dried or fresh.
- Substitute the honey with granulated sugar. Start with 1 teaspoon of sugar.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can replace the red wine vinegar with a different type, but just note that it will no longer be a “red wine vinaigrette.” Also, I haven’t tested this recipe with another vinegar, so I can’t guarantee results.
Homemade vinaigrette can last in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
It’s not uncommon for homemade vinaigrette that contains extra virgin olive oil to thicken in the fridge. To make it easily pourable again, shake it vigorously. If it’s still too thick, allow it to sit on the kitchen counter for at least 15 minutes to as long as 30 minutes.
Storage
Refrigerator
Store the vinaigrette in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. The longer it sits, the more the olive oil will thicken, so remove the vinaigrette from the fridge for at least 15 minutes to bring it to room temperature, and always give it a good whisk or shake before using it.
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Red Wine Vinaigrette Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 5 tablespoons red wine vinegar (Note 1)
- 3 teaspoons Dijon mustard (Note 2)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (Note 3)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon honey (Note 4)
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt or more to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground, or more to taste
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl until combined, or shake together in a sealed mason jar or bottle until incorporated. Taste and adjust for seasoning.Tip: Some of the honey and mustard might settle at the bottom even when you shake the bottle. Use a spoon to scrape the bottom of the inside of the jar to help incorporate them back into the dressing, then put the lid back on the jar and shake again.
