Red Wine Vinaigrette

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This red wine vinaigrette is a tasty dressing that can be made with kitchen staples. The zesty red wine vinegar gives it great flavor and it’s super versatile.

This staple red wine vinaigrette recipe proves just how simple and delicious homemade dressings are.

Whisk in a jar of red wine vinaigrette.

It’s made with just six ingredients (and that includes salt and pepper). Plus, it comes together in no time at all and can be used in a variety of ways.

If you’re looking to dip your toes into the homemade dressing world, this a great recipe to start with!

Red Wine Vinegar vs. Red Wine Vinaigrette

Don’t get confused by these names! Red wine vinegar and red wine vinaigrette are not the same. Red wine vinegar is fermented red wine that has turned into vinegar. It has a fairly strong vinegar taste and smell. Red wine vinaigrette combines red wine vinegar with oil, seasoning and a little sweetness for a delicious, versatile dressing.

Whisk in a jar of olive oil and red wine vinegar.

Health Benefits of Red Wine Vinegar

I feel like people only talk about the health benefits of apple cider vinegar but did you know that red wine vinegar is also a powerhouse ingredient?!

Studies have shown that it may help reduce blood sugar, boost heart health and may help you feel more satisfied which could lead to weight loss. (Source) It’s packed with antioxidants that are known to help prevent chronic disease and is a great ingredient to add into your diet!

Ingredients to make red wine vinaigrette measured out in bowls and jars.

Red Wine Vinaigrette Ingredients

Like I mentioned, this is an easy dressing that uses staples you probably already have in your kitchen. Here’s what you need:

  • red wine vinegar – the star of the show! I like to use a high-quality red wine vinegar (aka not the cheapest one on the shelf) for salad dressings because there’s minimal ingredients and the flavor really shines through.
  • Dijon mustard – mustard is a great addition to vinaigrettes. It no only adds flavor, but it also helps to emulsify the dressing.
  • maple syrup or honey – the extra hint of sweetness really ties the dressing together and gives it the perfect balance.
  • sea salt and black pepper – seasons the dressing and brings out the flavor(s) from all the other ingredients.
  • extra virgin olive oil – I recommend using a higher quality extra virgin olive oil for salad dressings like this. Save your regular olive oil for cooking.

Variations

  • Greek yogurt – want to make a creamy variation of this dressing? Add in Greek yogurt! You can add as little as 1 tablespoon or as much as 1/3 cup. I recommend full fat Greek yogurt for extra creaminess, but you can use low-fat or fat free if needed.
  • Lemon juice – add a little zip to the dressing with fresh lemon juice. Add a little at a time (about 1 teaspoon) to taste.
Pouring red wine vinaigrette dressing over a cobb salad made with spinach, egg, onion, bacon, blue cheese, cucumber, avocado, blackened chicken and tomatoes.

How to Use Red Wine Vinaigrette

I feel like a broken record here, but this is a super versatile salad dressing! Here are some ways to use it:

  • On just about any green salad. It is delicious on this blackened chicken Cobb salad, vegan Cobb salad or this cucumber tomato salad.
  • As a dressing on pasta salad. I can’t wait to try it on my healthy pasta salad!
  • As a marinade for meat. I plan to marinate chicken breasts in this vinaigrette and grill for the ultimate summer dinner.
  • Drizzle across roasted vegetables. If you aren’t putting dressing on your veggies, you’re missing out!
  • On a sandwich. I love ordering Italian subs and sandwiches… mainly because of the delicious vinaigrette they add! I’m going to have to recreate that at home with this dressing.
Whisk in a jar of red wine vinaigrette.

How to Store It

I like to mix my dressings in mason jars, which are easy for shaking and storing! In general though, you want to store homemade dressings in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This red wine vinaigrette should last for up to a week in the fridge. I use these 8 oz mason jars and plastic lids for storing.

If the contents separate or solidify in the refrigerator, just let the dressing come to room temperature on the counter and then shake to combine!

More Easy Vinaigrettes

More Salad Dressing Recipes

Be sure to check out all of my salad dressing recipes as well as the full collection of salad recipes on EBF!

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5 from 14 votes

Easy Red Wine Vinaigrette

This red wine vinaigrette is a tasty dressing that can be made with kitchen staples. The zesty red wine vinegar gives it great flavor and it’s super versatile.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 7 servings

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • Whisk: add all the ingredients into a small bowl or glass jar and whisk until combined. Alternatively you can add all of the ingredients into a mason jar and shake until combined. 

Notes

  • Garlic or shallot: If you happen to have fresh garlic or shallot on hand, either would be a great addition to this dressing. Just add about 1-2 teaspoons of either, minced. 

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 141kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Sodium: 305mg | Sugar: 1g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Salad Dressing
Cuisine: American
Keyword: red wine vinaigrette
Did you make this recipe?Mention @eatingbirdfood and tag #eatingbirdfood!

Photos by Ashely McLaughlin.

About Brittany

Hey there, I’m Brittany, the creator of Eating Bird Food, cookbook author, health coach and mama of two littles. Here you’ll find quick and easy recipes that make healthy fun and enjoyable for you and your family!

More about Brittany
Chicken fajita filling on a sheet pan with a wooden spoon. Tortillas are resting on the bottom of the sheet pan.
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Recipe Rating




4 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I made salad with chicken, fresh veggies and this red wine vinaigrette and it turned out to be the tastiest salad ever… I couldn’t thank you enough for this recipe.. It’s a great taste changer and a perfect add on to weight loss recipes.

    1. Woo! That makes me so happy to hear, Riya! Thank yo so much for the review. I really appreciate it!

  2. Made this and put it on a lovely spinach salad (I prefer spinach over lettuce) and it was perfect. I also used it on a sandwich instead of my regular mustard just because I wanted some extra flavor and it was absolutely spectacular 😋! Thank you so much for this recipe, it’s going straight into my recipe box!

    1. Yay!! I’m so glad this vinaigrette was a hit, Tiffany! Thanks so much for making it and coming back to leave a review. I really appreciate it!