This blackberry vinaigrette is a flavourful combination of sweet fruit, olive oil and vinegar and makes for a deliciously tangy dressing for your summer salads. Very easy to make in just 10 minutes, and no cook time!
Gone are the days of salads being a bowl of boring leaves - we can definitely dress them up with so much flavour! Perhaps you may like to see my blueberry pomegranate dressing for a tangy option, or my tahini dressing for a delightful creamy sauce.
This blackberry vinaigrette dressing has the best sweet yet tart flavour, with all the fruity goodness of fresh blackberries. It's very simple to make and a fun way to liven up your salads.
Love blackberries? Then if you fancy a sweet treat why not make my blackberry oatmeal cookies!
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Why this recipe is so good
Sweet yet tart flavours. Blackberries have a delightful flavour. Pick very ripe for more sweetness or less ripe for a more tart flavour.
Salad dressing without citrus. Many vinaigrettes and dressings use lemon, or sometimes orange or lime juice. This dressing is citrus free and so perfect for those who cannot tolerate (or just aren't keen!). Check out my low histamine salad dressings post for even more recipes!
Quick and easy. No cook time or complicated steps, it's just a case of blending it together!
Ingredients
All the ingredients and their quantities are set out in the recipe card below.
Some notes on a few of them:
- Blackberries - if you prefer a sweeter taste then you may wish to use very ripe fruit.
- Olive oil - I suggest using extra virgin olive oil for a better depth of flavour.
- Thyme leaves - definitely use fresh leaves not dried!
Swaps and variations
Leave out the thyme. The thyme is optional, but does give a nice herby fragrant hum to the dressing.
Swap apple cider vinegar for white distilled vinegar. My low histamine readers may prefer to use white distilled vinegar as it is lower histamine on the SIGHI list (or leave out completely).
Swap maple syrup for agave nectar. Both will work well in the dressing to add sweetness.
Equipment needed
Sieve or colander - to wash the blackberries (especially if you picked them yourself!).
Blender - to blend the vinaigrette together. I use a Nutribullet, but any high speed blender will work well.
Step by step instructions
A very simple recipe, this blackberry vinaigrette only requires a few steps to make:
Step 1
Give your blackberries a good wash in a sieve or colander, and remove any leaves or even bugs(!) if you picked your own (image 1).
Steps 2 & 3
Add all your ingredients to your blender (image 2), then blend to make your vinaigrette (image 3). Taste test and adjust with more oil or vinegar to preference. This is quite a thick dressing, so add a touch of water to thin if you like.
Recipe tips and notes
- Pick ripe blackberries for a sweeter dressing. The more ripe your fruit is, the sweeter it will be. For a more tart flavour, pick less ripe produce.
- Use extra virgin olive oil. It has a far better flavour for salad dressings than olive oil (and health benefits too!).
- Adjust the flavours. Blend the vinaigrette, then taste test and adjust to your preference with more oil, vinegar or maple syrup.
- Don't wear a white top . . . Blackberries are very 'colourful' with their vivid juices so wear an apron to save your clothes in case of spills!
Frequently asked questions
Fresh and frozen blackberries can be used. If using frozen, be sure to thaw them first. You will likely get a slightly thinner dressing if using frozen berries, so adjust with more olive oil if required.
Personally I do not strain the vinaigrette or pass it through a sieve and serve as it is. However, if you dislike the seeds, then it can be passed through a fine mesh sieve.
Vinaigrette is delicious on a green salad, grain salad or a fruit-based salad.
More sauces
Find sweet and savoury ideas on my sauces page, including my popular roasted red pepper nomato sauce and my delightfully fruity apple blueberry sauce. Some recent recipes:
I'm always in the kitchen, so come join me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to be the first to hear of new recipes!
Recipe
Blackberry vinaigrette
Equipment
- Sieve
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups blackberries
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon thyme leaves leaves picked
- pinch salt
- pinch black pepper optional
Instructions
- Wash your blackberries well in a sieve.
- Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend. Adjust with more oil, vinegar or maple syrup to taste preference.
Notes
- Pick more ripe blackberries for a sweeter flavour, and less ripe for a more tart flavour.
- I suggest using extra virgin olive oil for a better flavour.
- Adjust the dressing with more oil, vinegar or maple syrup to preference.
- This is a fairly thick vinaigrette, so thin with a touch of water if required to preference.
- apple cider vinegar, which scores 1.
- black pepper, which scores 2.
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