This Homemade Raspberry Vinaigrette comes together in minutes to create a naturally sweet, yet savory, salad dressing that adds a pop of flavor and freshness to a variety of salads.
Just like I prefer to make my own seasoning blends, like Taco Seasoning and Seasoned Salt, to control the quality of ingredients, I also opt to make homemade salad dressings.
Instead of having dozens of ingredients, excess sodium, and added sugars, homemade dressings are made with simple ingredients. Not only is homemade often better for you, but it is also much tastier as well.
And this recipe for Raspberry Vinaigrette proves you can have a simple, delicious, wholesome salad dressing in just minutes.
This fruity vinaigrette is low fat, naturally sweetened, and pairs perfectly with spinach or dark leafy green salads. It is sweet, tangy, and gets my kids excited about eating their greens--which I consider a WIN!
Notes on Ingredients
- Raspberries: This recipe works using fresh or frozen raspberries. If you are using frozen raspberries, simply defrost the berries before preparing the dressing.
- Grape Juice: This may sound like an odd ingredient for a homemade salad dressing, but the grape juice brings out the natural sweetness of the raspberries perfectly and replaces the need for adding refined sugars.
- Oil: Use extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
- Vinegar: Red wine vinegar is the best-suited vinegar for Raspberry Dressing. If you don't happen to have red wine vinegar on hand, substitute it with white wine or champagne vinegar.
How To Make Raspberry Vinaigrette
- Place juice, vinegar, raspberries, oil, salt, pepper, and onion powder into a blender or food processor.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- If desired, strain the dressing over a fine-mesh strainer to remove any tiny seeds from the raspberries. To strain or not to strain is a personal preference.
- Transfer the dressing to an airtight jar, glass, or container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Serving Suggestions
This Raspberry Vinaigrette is delicious on simple salads, fruit salads, or even chicken salads. It is sweet, yet not overly sweet. It is tangy, yet not too pungent.
It also makes a great marinade for fish or chicken, as it adds a nice subtle sweetness to the proteins.
- As a Marinade for Chicken: Place defrosted or fresh chicken into a resealable bag. Pour ½ cup dressing over chicken, seal bag, and toss to coat both sides of chicken with dressing. Marinade for anywhere from 2 to 24 hours before grilling or baking.
- As a Marinade for Fish: Place defrosted or fresh fish into a shallow container and pour dressing over fish, turning to coat both sides of fish with dressing. Marinade for 20-30 minutes before grilling or baking.
My personal favorite way to serve this raspberry vinaigrette is in a simple salad made with mixed greens, fresh raspberries, and slivered chopped almonds.
More Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes
- Homemade Ranch Dressing
- Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Easy Poppy Seed Dressing
- Italian Dressing from Five Heart Home
- Caesar Salad Dressing
If you enjoyed this recipe for Raspberry Vinaigrette, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.
Homemade Raspberry Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 6 ounces fresh raspberries rinsed and drained
- ½ cup Red Wine Vinegar
- ¼ cup grape juice or water
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In a blender or food processor, blend all the ingredients together until smooth.
- Pour the dressing through a fine-mesh strainer to remove seeds if desired.
- Store the dressing in an airtight container for up to 7 days in the refrigerator.
Notes
- For Chicken: Place defrosted or fresh chicken into a resealable bag. Pour ½ cup dressing over chicken, seal bag, and toss to coat both sides of chicken with dressing. Marinade for anywhere from 2 to 24 hours before grilling or baking. (I find 8-12 hours is best)
- For Fish: Place defrosted or fresh fish into a shallow container and pour dressing over fish, turning to coat both sides of fish with dressing. Marinade for 20-30 minutes before grilling or baking.
Nutrition
This post was originally published in 2017 but updated in 2022 with new photos.
Mariana
Tastes great so far, but my husband convinced me to put in a little extra honey. Can’t wait to put it on a spinach salad tonight with strawberries and almonds!
Kristen Chidsey
Enjoy Mariana! This will be delicious--with or without a little more honey 😉
Raleigh
Can you freeze dressing? Or how long will it last in fridge? Thanks!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Raleigh! This dressing will last in the fridge for 7 days. You can freeze this dressing since it is dairy free, just leave a bit of room in the container for it to expand.
Jessica
This is so much better than the stuff I bought at the stores!!!
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you enjoyed this Jessica! Homemade is often best.
Rosie M.
What should I add to. Mesclun salad (besides rasberries)? I can't eat nuts. Just the leafy base, or any other substantial ingredients that you can think of? Thanks.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Rosie! We love to add apples, blackberries, chunks of sharp cheddar, red onions, even avocado. Hope that gives you some ideas. Enjoy
Angela
Is a serving a tablespoon ? Thanks !
I made it today. Yummy ! 🥰
Kristen Chidsey
Yes, 1 tablespoon Angela! And so glad you enjoyed 🙂
Jenn
Loving this fresh and elegant dressing recipe! So perfect for Summer!
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks Jenn! It does add a nice bright flavor to salad!
Taryn
It feels so indulgent to use fresh raspberries in a dressing. I love it! Great recipe!
Kristen Chidsey
Raspberries do elevate a dish for sure. This dressing is so simple and so tasty, it is a perfect "indulgence"
Holly
Oh how I love raspberries! I can't wait to try this yummy dressing out as a marinade for some grilled chicken!
Kristen Chidsey
It is SUCH a great marinade for meat--makes it so much more flavorful.
Sandra | A Dash of Sanity
Homemade dressing is hard to beat! I need to try this! And that program is such a great way to help feed families.
Kristen Chidsey
I adore this program Sandra! It is just such a great way to support those in need. And I hope you love this dressing 🙂
Abeer
This dressing is so interesting! I need to try it soon!
Kristen Chidsey
I hope you enjoy Abeer! It is a step up from anything you can buy.