Homemade Cranberry Vinaigrette: Easy 5-Minute Dressing Recipe

Cranberry vinaigrette transforms ordinary salads into spectacular seasonal dishes with its vibrant ruby color and perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. This homemade dressing uses cranberry sauce as its base, creating a luxurious texture and depth of flavor that store-bought versions simply can’t match. Whether you’ve got leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving or you’re craving that bright cranberry taste year-round, this simple recipe delivers restaurant-quality results in just minutes.

Versatile Uses Beyond Salads

While this cranberry vinaigrette dressing shines on salads, its versatility extends far beyond the salad bowl. Use it as a marinade for chicken or pork, drizzle it over roasted vegetables, or serve it as a dipping sauce for crusty bread. The balanced sweet-tart profile of this cranberry vinaigrette recipe makes it perfect for elevating holiday meals, adding brightness to winter dishes, or bringing a pop of flavor to your everyday cooking routine.

Ingredients for Homemade Cranberry Vinaigrette

Simple, Fresh Components

To make this delicious cranberry vinaigrette salad dressing, you’ll need:

• 1/3 cup homemade cranberry sauce or organic whole berry cranberry sauce
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons water

Ingredient Notes and Alternatives

The beauty of this cranberry balsamic vinaigrette lies in its adaptability. The cranberry sauce provides both flavor and body to the dressing. While homemade cranberry sauce creates the most vibrant flavor, a good-quality store-bought whole berry cranberry sauce works well too. The dijon mustard acts as an emulsifier, helping the oil and vinegar combine into a smooth, cohesive dressing that won’t separate quickly.

How to Make Cranberry Vinaigrette Step by Step

Quick Blender Method

Making this cranberry vinaigrette salad dressing couldn’t be simpler:

1. Add the cranberry sauce, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, dijon mustard, kosher salt, and water to a blender.
2. Blend on medium-high speed for 30-45 seconds until the mixture becomes completely smooth and emulsified.
3. Taste the dressing and adjust with additional salt if needed.
4. If you prefer a thinner consistency, add one to two more tablespoons of water and blend again briefly.
5. Transfer to a serving container or storage jar.

Hand Mixing Alternative

No blender? No problem! You can also make this cranberry vinaigrette recipe by hand:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the cranberry sauce, apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard, salt, and water until well combined.
2. Very slowly drizzle in the olive oil while continuously whisking vigorously to emulsify the dressing.
3. Continue whisking until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
4. Adjust consistency and seasoning as needed.

Tips & Variations for Perfect Cranberry Vinaigrette

Customizing Your Cranberry Vinaigrette

• Sweetness adjustment: If your cranberry sauce is particularly tart, add 1-2 teaspoons of honey or maple syrup for balanced flavor.
• Herb infusions: Add 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or sage to complement the cranberry flavor.
• Citrus boost: For a brighter flavor, add 1 teaspoon of fresh orange zest or replace 1 tablespoon of water with fresh orange juice.
• Balsamic variation: Create a cranberry balsamic vinaigrette by substituting half the apple cider vinegar with balsamic vinegar.
• Texture options: For a chunkier dressing with visible cranberry bits, pulse rather than fully blend the mixture.
• Spice additions: A pinch of cinnamon, ginger, or allspice adds wonderful warmth to the cranberry vinaigrette dressing.
• Make it creamy: Add 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt or sour cream for a creamier cranberry vinaigrette.

Perfecting Your Cranberry Vinaigrette Consistency

The ideal consistency for cranberry vinaigrette depends on how you plan to use it. For a salad dressing that coats greens evenly, a slightly thinner consistency works best. For a dipping sauce or drizzle, a thicker texture allows the vinaigrette to stay put. The recipe as written creates a medium-bodied vinaigrette that works well for most purposes. Adjust with additional water (to thin) or more cranberry sauce (to thicken) according to your preference.

Making Cranberry Vinaigrette Without Cranberry Sauce

If you don’t have cranberry sauce on hand, you can make this cranberry vinaigrette recipe with dried cranberries instead. Soak 1/4 cup of dried cranberries in hot water for 15 minutes until plump, then drain and blend with the remaining ingredients. You may need to add 1-2 teaspoons of honey or sugar since dried cranberries lack the natural sweetness of cranberry sauce.

Serving Ideas for Cranberry Vinaigrette

Salads That Pair With This Dressing

This vibrant cranberry vinaigrette dressing elevates any salad, but it pairs particularly well with these combinations:

1. Cranberry Walnut Salad – The cranberry vinaigrette intensifies the cranberry flavor in this festive salad with candied nuts and apples.

2. Winter Citrus Salad – The tart cranberry notes complement the sweet citrus segments beautifully.

3. Mixed Green Salad – Transform a simple side salad into something special with this flavorful dressing.

4. Christmas Salad – The cranberry vinaigrette adds another layer of festive flavor to this holiday classic.

5. Savory Sweet Potato Salad – Double the cranberry goodness by pairing this dressing with a salad that already features dried cranberries.

Beyond Salads: Creative Uses for Cranberry Vinaigrette

This versatile cranberry vinaigrette recipe shines in many applications beyond the salad bowl:

• Drizzle over roasted Brussels sprouts or butternut squash
• Use as a marinade for chicken breast or pork tenderloin
• Brush onto salmon during the last few minutes of cooking
• Toss with warm grain bowls featuring quinoa, farro, or wild rice
• Serve as a dipping sauce alongside crusty artisan bread
• Drizzle over a cheese board featuring aged cheddar and goat cheese

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips for Cranberry Vinaigrette

Proper Storage for Maximum Freshness

This cranberry vinaigrette keeps beautifully in the refrigerator, making it perfect for meal prep and holiday planning. Store any leftover cranberry vinaigrette dressing in an airtight glass jar or container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The natural acidity from the vinegar and cranberries helps preserve the dressing, while the sealed container prevents it from absorbing other flavors from your refrigerator.

Reviving Refrigerated Cranberry Vinaigrette

When stored in the refrigerator, the olive oil in your cranberry balsamic vinaigrette may solidify slightly, causing the dressing to thicken or separate. This is completely normal and doesn’t indicate that the dressing has spoiled. To revive refrigerated cranberry vinaigrette:

1. Remove the dressing from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before using to allow it to come to room temperature.
2. Shake the container vigorously to recombine the ingredients.
3. If the dressing remains too thick, add a teaspoon of warm water and shake again until the desired consistency is reached.

FAQs About Cranberry Vinaigrette

Conclusion: Enjoy Your Homemade Cranberry Vinaigrette

A Versatile Addition to Your Recipe Collection

This simple cranberry vinaigrette recipe deserves a permanent place in your cooking repertoire. With just a handful of ingredients and five minutes of your time, you can create a restaurant-quality dressing that brightens everyday salads and elevates special occasion meals. The vibrant color and balanced sweet-tart flavor profile make this cranberry vinaigrette dressing a standout addition to holiday tables, but it’s easy enough to enjoy year-round.

Experiment and Make It Your Own

Don’t hesitate to customize this cranberry vinaigrette recipe to suit your taste preferences. Try the balsamic variation for deeper flavor, add fresh herbs for complexity, or adjust the consistency to create anything from a light dressing to a thick drizzle. The versatility of this cranberry sauce vinaigrette makes it perfect for experimenting with different flavor combinations. We’d love to hear how you enjoy your cranberry vinaigrette in the comments below!

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