Few things are more refreshing in the summer than a bountiful salad. And while this Midwest-bred chef has a soft spot for creamier dressings like ranch and bleu cheese, these hot months call for an airy and bright take on salad.
Enter the vinaigrette. Marvelously flavorful, mind-numbingly simple. All you need to know is a basic ratio: 1 part acid to 3 parts oil. From teaspoons to cups, this ratio is perfectly scalable to make one single salad or to bottle dressing and make dozens.
The Acid
Your acid will add the brightness and determine the flavor profile of your dressing. Various vinegars and citrus fruits can create a wide spectrum of dressings. Balsamic has a deep, often nutty flavor, and is great for salads that use hard cheeses. Red wine vinegar is more pungent and offers a permeating flavor, making it good for punchier greens like kale or arugula. Pure lemon juice is bright, fresh and unmistakably delicious with salads that are heavy on veggies such as radishes, carrots and cucumber.
The Oil
It’s pretty standard to reach for some extra virgin olive oil when crafting a vinaigrette, but plenty of other oils can do the trick and add their own flavor. Grapeseed oil is incredibly pure-tasting and will highlight your acid the most. Avocado oil is almost buttery, making your dressing more indulgent. Sesame is aromatic and perfect to pair with soy sauce and an Asian-inspired salad. Nut oils will add–you guessed it–nuttiness.
Mixing & Storing Vinaigrettes
Vinaigrettes are easy to bring together. Start with your acid and seasonings in a metal bowl. Slowly pour in your oil while whisking vigorously. If you’re using fresh herbs, you can save time by using a food processor or blender.
Try these easy combos to make some delicious vinaigrettes from ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen:
| Dressing | Acid (1) | Oil (3) | Additions |
| Lemon Pepper Vinaigrette | Fresh lemon juice | Olive oil | Salt & pepper to taste |
| Orange Sesame Vinaigrette | Fresh squeezed orange juice | Sesame oil | Splash of soy sauce for sodium, pinch of ground white pepper |
|
Vidalia Golden Balsamic |
Golden balsamic vinegar | Olive oil | 1 tablespoon finely minced Vidalia onion, salt & pepper. Let marinate for 1 hour. |
| Rich Garlic Herb | White wine vinegar | Macadamia or other nut oil | Smash two cloves of raw garlic and rub on inside of mixing bowl, then discard. Add fresh chopped herbs like sage, rosemary, or tarragon. Marinate for at least one hour. |
| Chimichurri Vinaigrette | Lime juice | Avocado oil | Add finely chopped cilantro, parsley, garlic. Salt and pepper to taste. |
What creative vinaigrettes have you made? Let us know in the comments!