Make Ahead

Maple Syrup and DijonĀ Vinaigrette

January  9, 2010
5
4 Ratings
Photo by Linda Xiao
  • Makes about 2/3 cup
Author Notes

Last year, I created a fall salad for a dinner party that went over particularly well; I used maple syrup in the vinaigrette, which I hadn't done before (if a dressing is too tart, I typically add a bit of honey or raw sugar). At the time, I made a mental note to start using maple syrup in my salad dressings on a regular basis. This version of a maple syrup vinaigrette is a bit simpler than the one I used for last year's salad, but in my mind no less appealing. The syrup rounds out the sharp edges, cutting the acid and giving the dressing a mellow richness. —Merrill Stubbs

Continue After Advertisement
Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
  1. In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, shake together the vinegars, maple syrup, Dijon and salt and pepper to taste. Add the olive oil and shake again until the dressing is fully emulsified. Taste and adjust maple syrup, salt and pepper if necessary.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

11 Reviews

AntoniaJames April 28, 2021
A keeper, so much so that I've put it in my Keepers collection. I use this in so many ways - last night, for example, in this Warm Chicken Salad https://food52.com/recipes/23089-warm-chicken-salad (another keeper), with a small handful of chopped dill added to the potatoes and leftover rotisserie chicken. I also use this dressing in our warm potato salad, with or without dill, depending on what's on hand. it's especially nice on winter / spring salads featuring grapefruit or Valencia oranges. I also add a touch of chopped mint along with a splash of additional vinegar to roasted beets tossed with this. Highly recommend. ;o)
Charlotte March 10, 2020
This looks so simple and perfect! If we don't have sherry vinegar on hand, would it be okay to just double the red wine vinegar? Or do you have another recommendation?
AntoniaJames April 28, 2021
Charlotte, yes, I've done that and it works great. ;o)
Loves F. June 13, 2016
This, plus sometimes a diced shallot, has been my go-to throw-together dressing for years!
Leonor D. March 17, 2013
I will try it today!
sexyLAMBCHOPx July 8, 2011
Made this last weekend to go with the New England Burgars (sp?), to keep with the maple theme, and I loved it. Definetly a keeper for fall & winter with apples or pears. I used Grade B Maple Syrup. I used the extra dressing to marinate a small 1 lb. skirt steak- winner, it worked. Watermelon slices for dinner. Thank you!
AntoniaJames January 11, 2010
Maple syrup is one of the great all-time underrated ingredients. Since discovering a few years ago how wonderfully easy maple syrup is to use, and how it nicely it takes the edge off a sharp vinegar (while not imparting the maple flavor in any noticeable way, it's been my go-to sweetener of choice. In fact, in my fridge, it lives right next to the Dijon mustard, because I've been using essentially the same formula (but with champagne, not sherry, vinegar) for several years. Brilliant minds think alike, Merrill! I'm glad you've shared this recipe, to spread the word!! P.S. I also use just a touch of maple syrup in my coffee in the morning. It adds just the perfect amount of sweetness. Mmmmm . . . so tasty!
Merrill S. January 11, 2010
Maple syrup in coffee sounds like a great idea. Maybe I'll try it tomorrow morning...
caninechef June 13, 2016
I am not a honey fan and do not keep it in the house. So I also have been using maple syrup for several years almost any time recipes call for honey.
Kelsey B. January 11, 2010
I tried syrup in a dressing recently and loved it. Incidentally, someone gave us a big bottle of syrup from Kedron Sugar Makers in Vermont. Have you ever tried it? It is really yummy and comes in cool glass bottles, too.
Merrill S. January 11, 2010
No, I've never tried it. Will have to seek some out -- thanks for he tip!