When life gives you blueberries, make blueberry vinaigrette! I couldn't resist filling my basket with the beautiful blueberries I found at the farmer's market. In fact, since moving to Arizona, I've struggled to find flavorful blueberries in comparison to the ones I used to eat in Michigan. But, of course, the key is eating fruit in season, which is slightly different in terms of when those seasons occur. So, today, with blueberries in my basket, I decided to make a blueberry salad with blueberry dressing.
I love making homemade dressings because they are healthier, and I always know what ingredients I'm eating. If I can't say or define an ingredient, I figure I shouldn't eat it. And, in today's world, the list of preservatives and unknown ingredients seems to grow by the day.
Let's say homemade is better! Many people think it is easier to make a simple dressing from scratch than most people think. In fact, most of my dressing only contain a few ingredients. The key, however, is the combination of ingredients to make a fabulous oil-free blueberry vinaigrette.
When are blueberries in season?
Typically, blueberry season occurs between June and August. But, that timeline varies depending on what area of the country you reside in. For example, in Michigan, we picked blueberries in July for the best juiciest blueberries. In Arizona, however, it isn't as predictable. So, when I saw robust blueberries, I jumped to attention.
Although blueberries didn't make the 2021 Dirty 15 List, they didn't make the clean list either. In fact, blueberries, like most berries, contain a lot of pesticides, so buy organic.
How to wash pesticides off blueberries
Even though organic is best, sometimes organic blueberries aren't available. But, there is a solution.
- Mix 1 part white distilled vinegar and 3 parts water in a food-grade container or bowl; you need about 3 cups of water and 1 cup of vinegar for 1/2 pound of blueberries.
- Add the blueberries to the vinegar solution and let them soak for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Rinse, and you're good to go!
How to make blueberry vinaigrette
- Fresh blueberries
- Champagne vinegar or substitute balsamic vinegar
- Garlic
- Shallot
- Maple syrup or date syrup
- Dijon mustard
- Water
Now, all you need is a high-speed blender. I love my Nutri-bullet, but any blender works well. Blend until smooth, but keep the dressing in the blender cup because as it chills, you may need to blend it once more before serving.
Even though I made this blueberry dressing for my blueberry salad recipe, this dressing is wonderful for any salad or as a fruit dip.
So the next time you're yearning for a fresh and tasty oil-free dressing, make a blueberry vinaigrette. You'll love the combination of flavors!
FAQ
How do I make a tasty dressing without oil?
- Replacing oil with water in an oil-based dressing recipe usually works as a quick fix to making a fat-free, oil-free salad dressing.
Can I use frozen blueberries for this blueberry dressing?
- Fresh blueberries are best, but you can use frozen blueberries if they are completely thawed before adding to the other ingredients ad blending.
What is a shallot?
- Shallots are from the onion family. But, they have a sweet flavor with a slight sharpness. I love shallots in salad dressings!
What is a good substitute for shallots?
- Yellow onions or green onions are a great substitute for shallots. White onions are too sweet, while red onions are too sharp in flavor. Remember, however, the amount varies. For the yellow onion, the measurement is one to one. The green onion, on the other hand, is half the amount of shallots used.
If you love oil-free dressing recipes, check out these great dressing recipes
- Vegan Ranch Dressing
- Creamy Italian Dressing
- How to Make Your Own Oil-Free Italian Salad Dressing
- Vegan French Dressing
- Peanut Thai Dressing
- Green Goddess Dressing
- How to Make Vegan Thousand Island Salad Dressing
- Blackberry Vinaigrette Recipe
- Carrot Ginger Dressing
- Citrus Dressing for Salads
- Pesto Salad Dressing
Blueberry Vinaigrette
Blueberry Vinaigrette is a homemade blueberry dressing made with organic fresh blueberries and few ingredients blended to make a delicious oil-free healthy dressing. Perfect for any salad, or drizzled on vegetables, potatoes, or used as a fruit dip.
Ingredients
Blueberry Dressing
- 1 cup fresh organic blueberries
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 small shallot
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup or date syrup
- 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup champagne vinegar (or substitute balsamic vinegar)
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a small blender cup
- Blend until smooth
- Refrigerate until ready to use
- The dressing thickens when chilled, leaving it in the blender cup and blending again right before serving.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
Just Date Syrup: Award-Winning Organic Date Syrup I Two 8.8 OZ Squeeze Bottles I Low-Glycemic, Vegan, Paleo | 1 Ingredient : 100% California Medjool Dates -
365 by Whole Foods Market, Organic Pure 100% Grade A Maple Syrup, Dark Color Robust Taste, 32 Fl Oz -
Colavita Aged Balsamic Vinegar of Modena IGP, 3 years, 8.5 Floz, Glass Bottle -
Champagne Vinegar - 1 bottle - 12.75 fl oz
Nutrition Information
Yield
12 servingsServing Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 20Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 35mgCarbohydrates 5gFiber 1gSugar 3gProtein 0g
Nutrition facts may not be 100% accurate.
Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂
Leave a Reply