This is a collaboration post with Kitchen Aid K400. This creamy cranberry vinaigrette with orange is made from scratch and is all-natural. The cranberry salad dressing adds a fresh and refreshing touch to any greens, including an apple walnut salad! It’s the perfect last-minute recipe idea during this holiday season.
Homemade Cranberry Vinaigrette – Fresh and All-Natural
I love making homemade salad dressing because it’s so simple to make and comes together quickly. In addition, homemade salad dressing uses no preservatives and always tastes fresher than store-bought dressing. This cranberry vinaigrette is also a recipe for leftover fresh cranberries. It’s zesty, tangy and has just the right amount of sweetness. Absolutely delicious.
This tasty cranberry vinaigrette is made with fresh raw cranberries instead of cranberry juice or canned cranberry sauce.
Cranberries Have a Short Season!
This fall/winter season is the time to buy fresh cranberries. They are usually available in the grocery markets for a few months only, from September through January.
Cranberries are perfect for holiday gatherings. You can use them to make a delicious cranberry sauce to accompany Thanksgiving dishes, cranberry juice, festive drinks or as the base of salad dressings.
If you are a big fan of cranberries be sure to buy extra bags as you can save them for later use. Properly stored fresh cranberries can last up to a year in the freezer.
Cranberry Health Benefits
Today, I am going to show you how to make a delicious salad dressing made with leftover raw cranberries. The cranberry is known for its tart flavor. It’s rich with antioxidants and high in fiber. It’s key in preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Creamy Cranberry Vinaigrette Ingredients
Because of the cranberry’s tart flavor, it goes well with bold fruits that taste sweet, such as apples and citrus, like oranges. This cranberry salad dressing is made with fresh cranberries, oranges, apple cider vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, and extra virgin olive oil. This is the perfect last-minute solution to your holiday salad needs.
Versatile Salad Dressing
One great thing about this salad dressing is that it packs a lot of flavors. I used it one day on a salad that had primary ingredients of mixed greens, olives, and tomatoes, then switched it up a few days later on a salad with chicken romaine lettuce, and another that had more of a spring pea base.
Making homemade salad dressings are so easy, I usually have a few different varieties on-hand as they’re an easy way to mix up and elevate the taste of different salads. It’s a goal of me and my family to eat a lot more greens and other vegetables this year, and healthy, homemade dressings have been a simple and healthy way to pave the way.
The cranberry vinaigrette can be refrigerated for up to 5 days.
Check out More Salad Dressing Recipes!
How to Make Cranberry Salad Dressing:
To make this salad dressing, you will need a good high-speed blender. I personally used a new Kitchen Aid K400 to puree the raw cranberries until they’re smooth while keeping a nice and thick consistency. I love that, so different from other blenders!
Check out More Delicious Salad Recipes!
- GREEN PAPAYA SALAD (SOM TAM) – A TASTY THAI STREET FOOD
- KETO COBB SALAD WITH HOMEMADE RANCH DRESSING
- ELOTES MEXICANOS – MEXICAN CORN SALAD
- CAPRESE SALAD – FRESH TOMATO, MOZZARELLA WITH BASIL
- VEGETARIAN BROCCOLI SALAD – CREAMY AND CRUNCHY!
- SOUTHERN POTATO SALAD – SO CREAMY!
- BRUSSELS SPROUTS SALAD WITH BACON, APPLE, WALNUT AND PECORINO ROMANO CHEESE
Cranberry Vinaigrette (a Creamy Salad Dressing)
Ingredients
- ½ cup fresh cranberries
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 4-5 tbsp apple cider vinegar ( I used 5 tbsp for a stronger taste)
- 3 tbsp pure honey
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 4 small oranges (such as clementine mandarins)
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add fresh cranberries into a high-speed blender. Process until a smooth yet thicker consistency.
- Add apple cider vinegar, orange, honey, and mustard. Process until well blended.
- With the machine running, gradually add oil and process again until well blended.
- Serve with fresh vegetables, like apple walnut salad.
Karen Morse
I am seriously SO excited to try out this cranberry dressing! I love cranberries (fresh) but don’t always find unique recipes. This one will be perfect! Can’t wait…
melissa chapman
I love a salad every day with dinner but I need a new dressing like this one. I usually don’t find cranberries but when i do i will make this garnish.
Theresa
What a perfect dressing for the holiday season. I have leftover cranberries that I need to use up, so I am definitely making this vinaigrette soon!
Catalina
Sounds so perfect for my side dish salads. I am sure that the addition of cranberries will make it tastier!
Tami Qualls
A few years ago I acquired the taste of cranberries. I enjoy them now. This dressing will liven up my salad, for sure!
Heather
I love this. Pinning for later because cranberries are so good for you and i have a ton in my freezer.
Ice Cream n Sticky Fingers
Yum. I have some salad in the fridge and this dressing would go perfectly with it. I’ll have to go to the store and grab some fresh cranberries and cuties tomorrow after church.
Rosemary
What an innovative use of left over cranberries. I do love the taste but never considered making a salad dressing with the left overs. I am so trying this recipe. Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year!!
Terri Steffes
Love cranberries! They’re perfect for the season, they’re versatile, and not to mention it’s packed with health benefits too. This vinaigrette is definitely a must try! I can’t wait to make it!