Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette

This citrus, nutty-flavored vinaigrette is made with fresh autumn ingredients! This perfect citrus-flavored vinaigrette will make your green salad the most flavorful part of the meal!

Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe

Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette is a tangy and flavorful dressing made with a combination of freshly squeezed citrus juice, balsamic vinegar, and other ingredients. It offers a refreshing and zesty taste that enhances salads and other dishes. The citrus notes add brightness, while the balsamic vinegar provides a rich and slightly sweet undertone. It’s a versatile vinaigrette that complements a variety of ingredients and can elevate your salads to the next level.

What is Vinaigrette?

Vinaigrette is a type of dressing; made by combining oil, with acidic ingredients such as vinegar or citrus juice, along with seasonings. Sometimes herbs, mustard, or garlic can be added.

The oil and acid are emulsified together, creating a smooth and tangy mixture. They can be sweet or savory, mild or bold, and are often drizzled over salads, used as a marinade, or served as a sauce to add flavor and moisture to dishes.

Ingredients For Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette

Always use high-quality ingredients and freshly squeezed citrus juice (not bottled) for the best flavor and results

• Navel Orange Juice: Brings out the natural sweetness and intense citrus flavor
• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed yields the most flavor. Adds refreshing and tangy notes
• Balsamic Vinegar: Use thick/high-quality, for a sweet and slightly tart flavor with hints of caramel
• Pumpkin Seed Oil: Provides a rich, nutty-flavored, and earthy base for the dressing
• Four Peppercorns: (aka “Rainbow Blend”) Enhance the overall taste with a light, peppery hint

Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe

• 6 tablespoons (3 fl.oz./90ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 3 lemons)
• 1/4 cup (60ml) freshly squeezed orange juice (about 1 large Navel orange)
• 1/4 cup (60ml) pumpkin seed oil
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) thick, high-quality balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoons (0.6g) freshly ground four-blend peppercorns or black pepper, to taste

Recommended Equipment

• Citrus Juicer/Squeezer: To extract the citrus juice more efficiently.
• Mason Jar: For easy shaking and storing, it’s a convenient and secure container for dressings.

How to Make Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette

Combine: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, orange juice, lemon juice, and freshly ground four peppercorns. Mix/shake the jar until well combined.

Add Oil: Slowly drizzle in the pumpkin seed oil while whisking continuously or shaking the ingredients in a tightly sealed jar until the dressing is well blended.

Note: This will help emulsify the dressing making a smooth texture, and preventing separations.

Taste and adjust the sweetness or acidity by adding more orange juice, lemon juice, or balsamic vinegar as desired.

Serve: Refrigerate for 30 minutes to enhance the flavors before serving.

Thickness and Emulsification Tip: Keeping the vinaigrette cold before serving helps the oil to solidify slightly, which enhances the thickness and emulsification of the dressing, making it a smoother and more consistent texture.

Recipe Tips for Best Results

• Flavor Infusion: Refrigerate dressing for at least 30 minutes before serving. This helps flavors to blend.
• Emulsification: Keeping vinaigrette cold before serving helps the oil to solidify slightly.
• Quality Ingredients: Use high-quality balsamic vinegar for a thicker and more flavorful texture.
• Freshly squeezed citrus juice contains the natural aroma of fresh citrus fruit flavor and tastes incredible
• Proper Ratios is 1 part acid to 3 parts oil, but you can adjust it to suit your taste preferences.

Storage & Serving

Storage: Store in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

Serving: Before serving, allow the vinaigrette to come to room temperature and give it a good shake before serving. This will help to recombine any separated ingredients and ensure a consistent flavor.

Yields: 1 cup / 8 fluid. ounces / 240 milliliters in total
Serves: 16 servings of 1 – 2 tablespoons / 15 – 30 milliliters

Serving Suggestions

• Salad: Drizzle over mixed green salads for a refreshing and tangy flavor
• Dipping Sauce: Use as a dipping sauce for bread or vegetables for a burst of citrus flavor
• Dressing: Use as a dressing for pasta salads or grain bowls for a tangy and refreshing twist
• Topping: Use as a topping for bruschetta or crostini for a burst of citrusy flavor
• Flavor: Toss with roasted vegetables for a flavorful and zesty side dish
• Sauce: Serve alongside grilled meats or fish as a flavorful and light sauce
• Marinade: Use as a marinade for chicken or seafood for a citrus-infused twist on a simple dish

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