Sweet, tangy, and bursting with fresh berry flavor, this homemade Strawberry Balsamic Dressing comes together with simple ingredients for a bright, flavorful salad dressing you’ll want to drizzle on everything.
I’ve always loved making homemade salad dressings. There’s something incredibly satisfying about blending fresh ingredients together to create a dressing that tastes better than anything you’ll find on the grocery store shelf.
Since we’re nearing the end of Florida strawberry season, it felt like the perfect time to share this Strawberry Balsamic Dressing recipe. A few weeks before I had my daughter, my son Ryder and I went strawberry picking for the first time. It had been on my bucket list for years, and I loved that Ryder was finally old enough to experience it with me. There’s just something special about picking your own berries and turning them into something delicious in the kitchen.
Earlier that year, I also had the opportunity to pick strawberries during a media trip with the Florida Strawberry Growers Association. I always enjoy learning more about where our food comes from, and it made me appreciate these sweet Florida berries even more. It ended up being the perfect “last trip” before our family grew by one!
If you’ve never made your own salad dressing before, this is the recipe to start with. When you know exactly what goes into your dressing—fresh fruit, vinegar, honey, and olive oil—you’ll quickly realize just how much better homemade can be. Once you start making your own, it’s hard to go back to the bottled stuff.
FAQ
Yes. Thaw the strawberries completely and drain off excess liquid before cooking them with the balsamic vinegar.
Flax oil adds a light nutty flavor and a boost of omega-3s. If you don’t have it on hand, you could substitute olive oil, though the flavor profile will be slightly different.
Since homemade dressings don’t contain preservatives or stabilizers, natural separation is normal. Simply shake or stir before serving.
A blender or immersion blender works best for achieving a smooth consistency. If you don’t have one, you can finely mash the strawberries, though the dressing will be thick and chunky.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks whenever I make strawberry balsamic dressing.
- Let the strawberries cool before blending – After simmering the strawberries with the balsamic vinegar, give the mixture time to cool slightly before adding it to the blender. This helps prevent splattering and keeps the dressing smooth.
- Ripe strawberries – The sweeter and riper the strawberries, the more vibrant your dressing will taste. This recipe is perfect during peak strawberry season when berries are naturally sweet and juicy.
- Blending – For the best texture, blend the dressing for at least 20–30 seconds so the strawberries fully break down and create a silky dressing.
- Flax Oil – Flax oil is delicate and shouldn’t be heated, so it’s best added at the end while blending. Slowly streaming it into the dressing helps emulsify everything together.
- Adjust sweetness to taste – If your strawberries are extra sweet, you can reduce the sugar slightly. If they are more tart, add a little more honey or preserves to balance the flavor.
- Chill – Refrigerating the dressing for about an hour allows the flavors to meld together and slightly thickens the texture.
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Strawberry Balsamic Dressing
Equipment
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Measuring Spoons
- Sauce Pan
- Stove Top
Ingredients
- 1 pint strawberries
- 2 tablespoons white granulated sugar
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons strawberry preserves
- 2 tablespoons Barlean’s Organic Flax Oil
Instructions
- Chop 1 pint strawberries and place in a sauce pan. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons white granulated sugar on top and pour on the ¼ cup balsamic vinegar. Bring to a boil then simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for 15 minutes.
- Carefully pour the balsamic strawberries into a blender. Add in 1 tablespoon honey and 2 tablespoons strawberry preserves. Place the lid on the blender and begin to puree on high power. Carefully stream in 2 tablespoons Barlean’s Organic Flax Oil through the top spout of the blender while the blender is on. Purée for 30 seconds.
- Pour into salad dressing shaker and refrigerate for 1 hour or until ready to eat.
Notes
- Let the strawberries cool before blending – After simmering the strawberries with the balsamic vinegar, give the mixture time to cool slightly before adding it to the blender. This helps prevent splattering and keeps the dressing smooth.
- Ripe strawberries – The sweeter and riper the strawberries, the more vibrant your dressing will taste. This recipe is perfect during peak strawberry season when berries are naturally sweet and juicy.
- Blending – For the best texture, blend the dressing for at least 20–30 seconds so the strawberries fully break down and create a silky dressing.
- Flax Oil – Flax oil is delicate and shouldn’t be heated, so it’s best added at the end while blending. Slowly streaming it into the dressing helps emulsify everything together.
- Adjust sweetness to taste – If your strawberries are extra sweet, you can reduce the sugar slightly. If they are more tart, add a little more honey or preserves to balance the flavor.
- Chill – Refrigerating the dressing for about an hour allows the flavors to meld together and slightly thickens the texture.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!