Dressing

Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette

Name: Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 300g fresh strawberries, tops removed (~10 large); 12 fresh basil leaves; 2.5 tbsp balsamic vinegar; 3 tbsp plain Greek yogurt; 1.5 tsp Dijon mustard; 2 tsp maple syrup; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper

Light, fruit-forward dressing for main-portion mixed greens salads. Oil-free — body and richness come from strawberry purée and Greek yogurt. Basil is puréed with the strawberries and strained out, lending aroma and essence without texture. Maple syrup balances the balsamic without tipping sweet.

Prep time

5 min

Total time

10 min

servings

Ingredients

300g fresh strawberries, tops removed (~10 large) fresh strawberries, tops removed (~10 large)
12 fresh basil leaves fresh basil leaves
2.5 tbsp balsamic vinegar balsamic vinegar
3 tbsp plain Greek yogurt plain Greek yogurt
1.5 tsp Dijon mustard Dijon mustard
2 tsp maple syrup maple syrup
2 garlic cloves, minced garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp salt salt
1/4 tsp black pepper black pepper

Instructions

1Purée strawberries and basil together until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove basil fibres and strawberry seeds — you want the aroma and flavour, not the texture.
2Whisk together the strawberry-basil purée, balsamic vinegar, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, garlic, salt, and black pepper until fully combined.
3Taste and adjust — more balsamic for tang, maple syrup for sweetness, or a splash of water if too thick. Let sit 5 minutes before dressing the salad.