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From the author, Toni Okamoto: There’s something special about sharing food with people you love. I always feel so thankful to have friends who share my passion for food, and today I was able to introduce my younger brother the wonders of making plant-based cooking. We started with something easy and decided on this Blackberry Vinaigrette, mostly because berries were $.87 at the grocery store and lettuce was $.99. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

From Plant-Based on a Budget:

If you’re looking for an alternative to your classic salad dressing, this blackberry vinaigrette is a great option. It’s different, it’s easy to whip up and (the best part!) it’s super affordable, especially when berries are in season. Let’s show you how to prepare this Blackberry Vinaigrette!

Homemade blackberry vinaigrette in two small jars.

It’s All In The Dressing

If you’re one of those people who struggle with eating salads, you should try and put your focus on the dressing. When you find a good dressing, like this blackberry vinaigrette, it changes the whole experience of eating your raw veggies. The key to a good salad vinaigrette is in the proportions. The perfect ratio is usually 3:1, that is 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar. There are exceptions if you like it lighter and a bit more acidic.

Blackberry Vinaigrette Prepping

Having a good dressing on-hand is always helpful in healthy eating success! You can double this recipe and store it in a jar inside your refrigerator to use when needed. Another great tip is to prep your greens and veggies as soon as you come back from the grocery store or market. If you wash them and chop them, you can store them in bags or containers and use them throughout the week. We love meal prepping!

Recommended equipment:

Photos by Alfonso Revilla

Blackberry Vinaigrette

4.99 from 61 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 0 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Servings: 1 ½ cups
This blackberry vinaigrette is sweet & tangy, ready in 5 minutes, loaded with nutrients and antioxidants, and perfect for transforming salads into a crave-able meal!

Ingredients 

  • 1 (6-ounce) package of blackberries
  • ½ tablespoon of lemon rind, grated
  • 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
  • cup of red wine or apple cider or balsamic vinegar
  • ¼ cup of olive oil
  • 2 to 3 teaspoons of sugar (depending on your sweetness preference)
  • Sprinkle of salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions 

  • In a food processor or blender, puree the blackberries. Add in the lemon rind, lemon juice, vinegar, olive oil, sugar, salt and pepper. Blend for a few seconds until well-combined.

Video

Notes

  • Choosing the berries: The flavor varies based on the berry ripeness. The riper they are, the sweeter the dressing. The less ripe, the more tart. So choose accordingly (if berry picking).
  • Allow the flavors to meld: We highly recommend preparing it at least 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor.
  • Tweak the flavors: Prepare the dressing fully and leave it to rest, then taste and adjust any ingredients. E.g., more lemon, vinegar, sweeteners, etc.
  • Seeds vs. No seeds: A high-speed blender should pulverize the seeds. However, if you prefer the berry vinaigrette to be 100% seed-free, strain the dressing (minus the oil) through a fine-mesh sieve/nut milk bag, then whisk in the oil.

Nutrition

Calories: 659kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 3gFat: 55gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 40gSodium: 23mgPotassium: 383mgFiber: 9gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 367IUVitamin C: 42mgCalcium: 78mgIron: 2mg

Disclaimer: Although plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.

Additional Info

Author: Toni Okamoto
Course: Dressing
Cuisine: American
Method: Blender
Diet: Vegan
Tried this recipe?Please tag us at @PlantBasedOnABudget! 🙂
About

Toni Okamoto

“They say you are what you eat, so I strive to be healthy.
My goal in life is not to be rich or wealthy,
‘Cause true wealth comes from good health and wise ways…
we got to start taking better care of ourselves ” – Dead Prez

More about Toni Okamoto

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Comments

    1. Hi! We at plant-based on a budget haven’t tried a sugar sub just yet for this recipe, though agave may be a possible sub! Let us know if you end up giving it a go 🙂

  1. Super easy blackberry dressing! I just store it in a mason jar in the fridge and top it on salads throughout the week.

  2. This was my first time making blackberry dressing and we loved it! THis recipe is perfect for spring salads!

  3. Such a delicious salad dressing. I was always using the same one and needed a new one to use. Glad I found this one