Summer In A Jar
Summer means blueberries. But it also means salads! You could just throw some blueberries on your greens and call it a summery day, but why stop there? This balsamic blueberry vinaigrette seriously elevates your summer salads. We have berries and honey for sweetness, balsamic vinegar and lemon juice for savory tartness, and a little extra virgin olive oil for richness. Throw everything into a blender, and it’s ready in seconds! As a bonus, this dressing is super easy to customize. Let your imagination go wild! We’re using blueberries and a touch of lemon today, but the possibilities are endless.
Here’s What You’ll Need
Let’s break down what goes into a good balsamic blueberry vinaigrette recipe.
Blueberries: Fresh blueberries are the star of the show! If you’re wondering how to pick the best blueberries, check out our blueberry 101 guide. Lemon Juice: I like to use a little lemon juice to brighten the dressing and give it a little summery oomph. Make sure it’s freshly squeezed! Balsamic Vinegar: Your major flavor maker. This is a hydrophilic element, meaning it is attracted to water. Generally, you’ll use 1 part balsamic to 2-3 parts oil. Oil: Gives the dressing a good mouthfeel (the term used for that feeling you get when eating fats) and dilutes the vinegar. This is hydrophobic, meaning it does not like water or water-like substances (like vinegar). Honey: Balsamic is hydrophilic, and oil is hydrophobic, meaning these two don’t get along. Without something to make them stick together, they’re going to separate. That’s where the emulsifier comes in. Honey has a water-loving side and a water-hating side, so it gets along with balsamic and oil, bringing the two together in happy harmony. Salt And Black Pepper: Always important for rounding out the sweet flavors of the balsamic vinegar.
This Dressing Is So Quick
To prepare this dressing, all you need is a blender! It’s unbelievably quick and easy to make, even if this is your first time blending a dressing.
Pairs Well With
Once your homemade blueberry vinaigrette is blitzed up, serve it over your favorite summery bed of greens. My favorites are this avocado mango spinach salad, kale salad, and this blueberry salad!
