This homemade blueberry vinaigrette dressing is just in time for spring (or summer)! While I made it to go with my blueberry spinach salad, the bursts of bright blueberries, zesty lemon, and savory-sweet balsamic vinegar can make any salad you create a restaurant-level treat.
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Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you’re tired of the same old salad dressings, this blueberry balsamic vinaigrette is going to be your new favorite. It’s so quick and easy to make, and it instantly adds a vibrant touch to any salad you pour it over. Even my kids love it, and since it’s antioxidant-packed, it’s just the kind of deliciously nutritious dressing you need to make.
Nutrition For Mental Health
As a nutritionist, I love blueberries! Did you know that they are 84% water? Blueberries contain 14.5 grams of carbohydrates, 2.4 grams of fiber, and 0.7 grams of protein. Blueberries are a good source of vitamins K, C, A, E, and B6, as well as manganese and copper. They contain antioxidants and beneficial plant compounds, including anthocyanins (antioxidants that give plants their red, blue, or purple colors) and quercetin.
A study including individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) and without, found that higher intake of anthocyanins was associated with lower depressive symptoms.
Have you ever been told that you need to “eat the rainbow”? Well, I created a series surrounding this, and this blueberry vinaigrette goes well with my blue foods guide and actually my pink foods guide since it turns a vibrant pink color once blended.
Ingredients + Substitutions
When you’re missing something, don’t let it hold you back. These substitution ideas can help you shake things up.
- Oil: No olive oil? Not a problem here. Try it with avocado oil, grapeseed, or any other mildly flavored oil.
- Citrus: Don’t stress if you’re out of lemons. You can try it with lime, oranges, or even grapefruit. Also, I created this guide in case you’re not sure how to make lemon zest.
- Berries: If you can’t get your hands on fresh blueberries, there’s lots of fun to be had with other berries. Raspberries, blackberries, and even strawberries would be divine.
A full list of ingredients with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
How To Make Blueberry Vinaigrette in Minutes
Don’t settle for store-bought stuff with preservatives and questionable ingredients. My blueberry salad dressing comes together in literal seconds!
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- Add all ingredients into a blender cup and blend until smooth.
- Drizzle over blueberry spinach salad and enjoy!
Servings Ideas
I made this blueberry vinaigrette dressing for my blueberry walnut spinach salad, but it would also be great with my kale spinach salad, citrus arugula salad, or spinach arugula salad. And I can attest that it is delicious to just dip homemade rosemary bread or even no-knead focaccia right in as a splendid side.
How To Store Your Homemade Dressing
Homemade blueberry balsamic vinaigrette needs to be kept in an airtight container in the fridge. Mason jars are so handy for this type of thing, though it doesn’t keep forever. I’d aim to use it within 4-5 days, but since it’s so simple to make, you can always whip up a new batch.
FAQ
Yes, it most certainly is since you’ve got antioxidant-rich blueberries. Balsamic vinegar itself is a healthy ingredient too, and everything else I’ve included in this recipe and not included (you’ll see there is NO sugar) aligns with your goals to be good to yourself.
You definitely can use other berries. If you can’t find any fresh blueberries, grab strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries. You could even mix and match your berries!
If you tried this Blueberry Vinaigrette Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Recipe
Blueberry Vinaigrette
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1/2 cup of olive oil
- 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of lemon zest, zest from 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a blender cup and blend until smooth.
- Drizzle over blueberry spinach salad and enjoy!
Notes
Homemade blueberry balsamic vinaigrette needs to be kept in an airtight container in the fridge. Mason jars are so handy for this type of thing, though it doesn’t keep forever. I’d aim to use it within 4-5 days, but since it’s so simple to make, you can always whip up a new batch.
Nutrition
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Reference
Mestrom, A., Charlton, K. E., Thomas, S. J., Larkin, T. A., Walton, K. L., Elgellaie, A., & Kent, K. (2023). Higher anthocyanin intake is associated with lower depressive symptoms in adults with and without major depressive disorder. Food science & nutrition, 12(3), 2202–2209. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.3850
