Creamy Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette

Spring is right around the corner, and this raspberry walnut vinaigrette has me dreaming of meals on the patio! This bright and tangy vinaigrette is the perfect dressing for a baby spinach salad loaded with all your favorites, like fresh veggies and grilled chicken!

Are you looking for more ways to add tons of flavor to your salads? Try other homemade dressings like my Creamy Gorgonzola Vinaigrette and Parmesan Vinaigrette for delicious and refreshing salads all year long.

This homemade vinaigrette is a far cry from the raspberry vinaigrettes you’ll find at the grocery store. They tend to taste overly acidic and have an artificial flavor that only somewhat resembles raspberry. This dressing on the other hand is bursting with the sweet flavor notes of red raspberries and the creamy, nutty texture of walnuts.

Why you’ll love this raspberry walnut vinaigrette

The delicate blend of raspberry and walnut flavors create a salad dressing that’s fruity, yet not too acidic. I used a touch of honey in the dressing to mellow out the balsamic vinegar and bring out the natural flavor of the fruit.

Many commercially prepared salad dressings use xanthan gum as a thickening agent, but this dressing stays nice and creamy all on its own thanks to the blended walnuts! Even days later, you’ll have a thick, creamy salad dressing bursting with fresh raspberry flavor.

This dressing is a true culinary classic and a must-have on your roster of homemade salad dressing recipes!

Equipment

For this simple homemade salad dressing, you’ll want a:

• immersion blender
• wide mouth quart jar or small bowl

Ingredients

• Raspberries – Frozen or fresh raspberries will do. If frozen, allow them to thaw overnight in the fridge.
• Extra-virgin olive oil – My go-to oil for salad dressings. It’s thick, has a delicious savory flavor, and contains healthy monounsaturated fat.
• Walnuts – Walnut meal or whole walnuts will work since we will be blending them.
• Lemon juice – The citric acid from lemon juice adds tang and helps your salad greens absorb the dressing.
• Balsamic vinegar – We only need a splash of balsamic vinegar, so whatever you have in your cupboard is fine.
• Honey – Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the fat and acids.
• Kosher salt – Enhances the flavor of the other ingredients.

How to Make Raspberry Walnut Dressing

1. Combine all of the ingredients in your jar or bowl.
2. Blend together with an immersion blender.
3. Taste the dressing and add more salt or balsamic vinegar to your liking.
4. Serve immediately or store in the fridge to enjoy later.

Storing Suggestions

Store this raspberry walnut vinaigrette in the refrigerator for 5-7 days maximum. Olive oil can thicken when refrigerated, so you may need to stir it to recombine.

Tips & Variations

• If you don’t have balsamic vinegar on hand, you can swap it out for red wine vinegar or sherry vinegar.
• I love my immersion blender because it’s so quick and easy to clean, but you can also make this vinaigrette in a food processor or blender.
• Swap out the olive oil with walnut oil for additional nuttiness! Avoid using vegetable oil if you can, since it lacks flavor and nutritional benefits.
• Whole raspberries give this salad its fresh fruitiness, but you can also use raspberry preserves to get that delicious raspberry flavor. If you want your dressing to really pack a punch, try adding a few drops of raspberry juice concentrate!
• For a little extra walnut flavor, toast your walnuts on a baking sheet at 350 for about 10 minutes. Let them cool before blending.

How to Use Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette

If you love raspberries, this creamy vinaigrette is the perfect way to get your serving of greens! This dressing has less total fat, fewer calories, and more flavor than typical store-bought dressing, so you can feel extra good about enjoying it!

Toss this raspberry walnut vinaigrette with some mixed greens, chicken, red onion, air fryer walnuts, and avocado in a large bowl for a delicious salad full of nutrients and dietary fiber. Add a little cracked black pepper on top and serve in a metal salad bowl at your next picnic or barbecue.

The sweetness of this dressing goes great with savory flavors like grilled meats. Pair this salad with a barbecued T-bone and you’ll have a simple yet upscale steak house style meal!

FAQs

Is raspberry walnut vinaigrette good for you?

Walnuts contain polyunsaturated fats while olive oil contains monounsaturated fats, both which are considered good, healthy fats! Plus, this dressing is loaded with raspberries, adding even more nutrients and flavor.

What is the healthiest vinegar for salad?

Balsamic vinegar contains antioxidants and antimicrobial compounds and is considered one of the healthiest vinegars.

Related Recipes

Looking for recipes similar to this raspberry walnut vinaigrette? Try some of these other dressings and salad toppings:

• Sweet and Savory Air Fryer Walnuts
• Creamy Gorgonzola Vinaigrette
• Air Fryer Delicata Squash Rings