This vegan balsamic oil free salad dressing is low calories and high in flavor. Packed with sweet and savory flavor notes, this will become your go-to salad dressing, and it's so easy to make.
OIL FREE SALAD DRESSING RECIPE
Whether you're looking for a low fat salad dressing recipe, or you just prefer a dressing with more flavor than oil, you are going to love this delicious oil free salad dressing made with balsamic vinegar.
This recipe takes almost no time to make, so you can make it when you're ready to use it, or make it a few days ahead of time so you're ready for a healthy and delicious salad any time.
For more salad dressing recipes, try this creamy Vegan Avocado Dressing, Vegan Honey Mustard or Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette. Both are amazing on salad. This Caesar Salad Dressing sounds great too. Air Fryer Chickpeas are my favorite crunchy salad topping, make them to top your salad!
INGREDIENTS IN OIL FREE SALAD DRESSING
Balsamic Vinegar - This is the main flavor and base of our oil-free dressing. The tart, savory flavor of balsamic is like nothing else, and it's amazing on greens.
Dijon Mustard - This other super flavorful ingredient adds thickness to the dressing and helps to emulsify the other ingredients.
Maple Syrup - You can use either pure maple syrup or agave nectar in this recipe. We are using a vegan liquid sweetener to balance out the sourness of the vinegar.
Oregano - Dried oregano is the perfect herb for this recipe. You'd typically find it in Italian dressing recipes, it's just delicious.
Garlic Powder - This is optional. I like to add it for an extra punch of flavor. Salad should taste good!
If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you ASAP!
HOW TO MAKE OIL FREE SALAD DRESSING
- In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar and the Dijon mustard until well combined.
- Drizzle in the maple syrup and whisk again until combined.
- Add the dried oregano and garlic power.
- Whisk again until combined. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please see the recipe below.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH OIL FREE DRESSING
This is obviously a salad dressing recipe, so of course it's amazing on your favorite lettuce salads, but get creative!
Try oil free dressing as a dipping sauce for french fries or vegetable sticks. Serve it on the side of a Vegan Charcuterie Board so your friends can drizzle it on their choices. This dressing also makes a wonderful sauce for some simple pan fried tofu.
VARIATIONS ON THIS OIL FREE SALAD DRESSING
This recipe is just a jumping off point for all of your great salad dressing ideas! The basic formula is 3 T vinegar, 2 T mustard, 1 T sweetner, plus seasonings. You can use other ingredients in place of the ones used here.
Try white wine vinegar with spicy mustard, or Apple cider vinegar with horseradish mustard. You can use fruit juice in place of the maple syrup and any seasonings you like. Get creative!
WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE A WHISK?
If you don't have one, or can't find your whisk, no problem at all! Just make this recipe in a jar with a lid, and shake it up. Make sure to shake it really, really well so that everything is combined. Bonus! Kids really like helping with tasks like this too.
CAN I DOUBLE THE RECIPE?
You sure can! Double, triple, or quadruple it if you like. This recipe can easily be increased as large as you need it for parties or serving large groups.
WHY DOES SALAD DRESSING EVEN NEED OIL?
In most salad dressing recipes, oil is used to do a few things. First, it increases the amount of the dressing, and allows the dressing to flow further and coat the lettuce. Second, it adds an oily mouth-fee that many people enjoy. The thing is, oil is not necessary in order for a salad dressing to be delicious! This oil free dressing is just as tasty as any version with oil in it.
MORE DELICIOUS VEGAN RECIPES
Turn tempeh into a delicious, smoky, savory Vegan Bacon that will have your mouth watering. Or make some Vegan Burritos that are better than take out.
These Air Fryer Mushrooms are naturally vegan, and would be delicious with this dressing.
If you are looking for more salad dressing recipes, this creamy lemon chive dressing is delicious! If you need it to be vegan you can sub in coconut cream!
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Oil Free Salad Dressing
Equipment
- Glass Jar
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
- 2 tbsp Dijon Mustard
- 1 tbsp Maple Syrup or Agave Nectar
- ½ tsp Dried Oregano
- ¼ tsp Garlic Powder optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar and the Dijon mustard.
- Drizzle in the maple syrup and whisk until well combined.
- Add in the dried oregano and garlic powder if you are using. (garlic powder is optional) Whisk until well combined.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Notes
- Rather than whisking, you can shake the dressing together in a jar with a tight fitting lid.
This is delicious! My husband has to eat a low fat diet and he totally loved this dressing.
So glad he liked it!
I'm puzzled on where the 1 gram of saturated fat is coming from? Is it the balsamic vinegar?
Hi Faye 🙂 The recipe card uses an auto calculator as an estimate and sometimes it seems to calculator incorrectly. :). Sorry about that.