Maple Dijon Dressing

Maple Dijon dressing is ready in less than 5 minutes and is the perfect balance of sweet, tangy and salty. This maple dijon vinaigrette is better than store bought dressing and is great on fall or winter salads with roasted squash, potatoes, dried cranberries or apples.

Why you will love this recipe

• Easy to make – this salad dressing is so simple, all you need is a jar with a lid or a fork to whisk the dressing together in just minutes. If you want to make it even easier, use an immersion blender or blender to emulsify the dressing quickly.
• Simple pantry ingredients – you likely have everything you need to make this maple dijon vinaigrette in your pantry right now. This recipe has just 5 ingredients and you can easily swap out the vinegar based on what you have on hand.
• Great vegan alternative to honey mustard dressing – if you love the flavor of honey mustard dressing, this maple dijon dressing is a great alternative if you are vegan. This recipe is also gluten free, dairy free and paleo friendly.
• Versatile – use this maple dijon dressing can be sued in so many ways – as a dressing, marinade, or as a dip for roasted veggies.

Ingredients

• Maple syrup – maple syrup sweetens the dressing and gives it a unique flavor.
• Extra virgin olive oil – be sure to use olive oil or avocado oil in this recipe. The olive oil adds a floral flavor and is perfect in salads. If you don’t have extra virgin olive oil, you can also use olive oil or avocado oil.
• Apple cider vinegar – apple cider vinegar gives the dressing the perfect balance of tanginess and sweetness when paired with he maple syrup. Another great option would be balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar.
• Dijon mustard – dijon mustard helps to create the emulsion between the vinegar and oil but in this recipe is also provides so much flavor to the dressing. The dijon flavor pairs well with the maple syrup and also goes great with fall flavors like roasted vegetables, apples, pears, etc.
• Salt – salt helps to balance all the flavors for the dressing.

How to make maple dijon dressing

Measure out all the ingredients into a jar or bottle with a well fitting lid or into a bowl.

Add the lid to the jar and shake well until fully combined and emulsified. If you don’t have a jar with a well fitting lid, you can add the ingredients to a bowl and stir well with a fork or whisk until well combined.

Note: If you want the dressing to come together even easier, use an immersion blender or blender.

Top tips

• Use your favorite vinegar for this dressing. Apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, white wine vinegar would all be great in this recipe.
• This dijon maple vinaigrette comes together easily with just by vigorously shaking the jar or whisking with a fork, no need for a blender. If you want an super smooth emulsified dressing, use an immersion blender or blender.
• Be sure to use real maple syrup (not the imitation pancake syrup) for the best flavor
• Double or triple the recipe to make enough maple dijon dressing for the entire week.

Other additions

• Black pepper
• Fresh garlic (finely minced)
• Fresh thyme, fresh rosemary
• Dried herbs de provence or italian blend seasoning

Ways to use maple dijon vinaigrette

• Apples or pears (thinly sliced)
• Kale salad, arugula salad, slaw, brussel sprouts salads, salad greens
• Roasted butternut squash (air fryer), roasted sweet potatoes (in air fryer), air fried delicata squash, carrots, parsnips, beets
• Dried cranberries, dried cherries, golden raisins
• Use the dressing for salads, roasted vegetables, or even as a marinade (for chicken, fish, pork)
• Grain bowls – use roasted veggies, brown rice or quinoa and chickpeas or white beans.

Common questions

Can you make this dressing sweeter

This maple dijon dressing is the perfect combination of sweet, tangy and salty but if you prefer a sweeter dressing, add 1-2 additional tablespoons of maple syrup.

Can you use other vinegars in this dressing

Yes, this maple dijon vinaigrette would also be great with balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar.

What is the best way to make a large batch of dressing

This dressing can easily be doubled or tripled without changing the recipe. However, it’s best to use a blender or immersion blender to ensure that the dressing is properly thickened. Using an immersion blender or blender will help to ensure that the dressing doesn’t break when stored in the fridge.

Be sure to shake the dressing well before using.

How much dressing does this recipe make?

As written, this recipe makes about 1 cup of dressing. Typically each serving of dressing is 2 tablespoons, so this recipe will make 8 servings.

Storing leftovers

Fridge: Store leftover maple dijon dressing in the fridge in a well sealed container for up to 1 week.

Substitutions

• Maple syrup – you can use honey or other liquid sweetener in place of the maple syrup.
• Extra virgin olive oil – use olive oil or avocado oil in place of the EVOO.
• Apple cider vinegar – use balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar in place of apple cider vinegar.
• Dijon mustard – dijon mustard is hard to substitute or replace. Stone ground mustard might be a good substitution (the texture of the dressing will be different).

If you love this recipe, you should try

Gluten Free Honey Mustard

Tahini Maple Dressing

Maple Mustard Brussels Sprouts

Harvest Quinoa Salad

Salad with Roast Pumpkin