Strawberry Citrus Vinaigrette

This delightful Strawberry Citrus Vinaigrette brings a burst of freshness and warmth to your favorite salads. Juicy strawberries and zesty citrus blend together in perfect harmony, creating a sweet yet tangy dressing that’s as vibrant as a breezy autumn day. With a hint of honey and a dash of balsamic, each drizzle will remind you of the simple joys of fresh, seasonal flavors. Perfect for adding a touch of autumn sunshine to your meals, this vinaigrette makes every bite feel like a sweet escape.

Ingredients for Strawberry Citrus Vinaigrette

• Citrus Juice: Use sweet mandarins, Satsuma, clementine, or oranges for the sweetest flavor.
• Strawberries: Brings a natural burst of sweet, fruity flavor and a touch of creamy texture.
• Avocado Oil: Smooth and silky, it acts as the heart of the dressing, binding all flavors together.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Deep and tangy, it adds rich, slightly sweet, fruity notes and color.
• Honey, maple syrup, or sugar: Helps harmonize the tartness of vinegar and balance the acidity.
• Seasonings: Salt and ground pepper balances sweetness and acidity while adding a hint of spice.

Strawberry Citrus Vinaigrette Recipe

• 1/3 cup ( 3 fl.oz./90ml) freshly squeezed mandarins, Satsuma or orange juice (see notes)
• 1/3 cup (2 oz /55g) fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered
• 1-2 teaspoons (5-10ml) raw pure honey or maple syrup, to taste
• 1 tablespoons (15ml) thick, high-quality balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup (1 fl.oz /60ml) avocado oil
• Dash (0.3g) of kosher or pink salt, to taste (about 2 twists)
• Dash (0.3g) of ground pepper, to taste (about 3 twists)

Recommended Equipment

• A High-Powered Blender with a small-sized blender container.
• Airtight Glass Jar: To store vinaigrette and preserve its freshness for extended use.

How To Make Strawberry Citrus Vinaigrette

Prepare the Fruits: Wash the strawberries thoroughly and pat them dry. Remove the green tops and cut them into quarters. Squeeze the juice from the mandarins or satsumas citrus.

Fruits Tip: Choose sweet varieties like Satsumas, Clementines, mandarins, Newhall Navel, or Cara Cara oranges for dressings, as some citrus fruits can be bitter rather than sweet. (see notes below)

Blend the Base: In a high-powered blender, combine the citrus juice, strawberries, balsamic vinegar, sweetener, salt, and ground pepper. Blend until the strawberries are smooth and the mixture is well combined.

Incorporate the Oil: While the blender is running on low speed, slowly drizzle in the oil. Continue blending until the oil is fully incorporated and the vinaigrette is smooth and emulsified, about 10-20 seconds.

Taste and Adjust: Taste the vinaigrette and adjust the sweetness and seasonings to your liking.

Store and Serve: Transfer the vinaigrette to a jar or airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days. Shake well before serving, and enjoy it over meats, seafood, or salads.

Best Sweet Citrus For Dressings

• Mandarins are a type of citrus fruit that are smaller, sweeter, and easier to peel than oranges.
• Satsumas: A type of mandarin that is typically sweeter than clementines.
• Clementines: A type of mandarin that is usually sweeter and less acidic than regular oranges.
• Newhall Navel: An unusual oval-shaped navel orange, often considered the sweetest variety of navel oranges.
• Washington Navel: Known for being the richest and sweetest of all navel oranges. They ripen early, typically from May to June.
• Navel: A sweet, seedless orange great for snacking. However, its juice turns bitter within 30 minutes, so they are best eaten fresh rather than juiced.
• Cara Cara: A navel orange hybrid with a sweet taste, lower acidity, and a subtle hint of tartness.

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