Orange Vinaigrette

Freshly made Orange Salad Dressing in a clear glass jar, surrounded by vibrant orange slices.

Orange Vinaigrette is a bright, savory dressing that adds a luxurious touch to salads. The fresh citrus and rich olive oil come together in a quick and easy recipe that feels indulgent without the effort. It’s the perfect way to bring bold flavor to your favorite greens.

Course Salad Dressing

Cuisine American

Keyword Orange Salad Dressing, Orange Vinaigrette

Prep Time 10

Servings servings (about 1 cup in total)

Calories 131kcal

Author Heather

Ingredients

2 medium oranges zested (preferably Cara Cara Naval variety) *See Note #1 below
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar *See Note #2 below
4 medium garlic cloves *Peeled, if blending leave whole.
1/2 teaspoon salt *See Note #3 below
1/8 teaspoon white pepper *optional, See Note #4 below

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Add all the ingredients to a small blender.
Blend on high until the mixture is smooth and fully emulsified. See Note #5 below for other preparation methods.
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Shake well before using.

Notes

Note #1- If blending this vinaigrette, making strips of orange zest with a vegetable peeler is the easiest way to zest the oranges.

Note #2- Because orange juice is on the sweeter side, choosing a less sweet vinegar will help to balance the overall flavor of this vinaigrette. Here are a few options that can replace apple cider vinegar:

White Wine Vinegar- Bright and acidic with a clean, subtle flavor, it's a great apple cider vinegar substitute in terms of acidity.
Champagne Vinegar- Light and crisp, this vinegar provides sharp acidity without the sweetness.
Rice Vinegar (Unseasoned)- A bit milder, but still offers clean acidity without the sweetness.
Distilled White Vinegar- The sharpest and most neutral in flavor, it’s highly acidic and lacks sweetness.

Note #3- Different types of salt vary in saltiness due to their crystal size and texture. For example, Maldon's Sea Salt Flakes are lighter and less dense than table salt, so they taste less salty by volume. To avoid over-seasoning, start with 1/2 teaspoon, taste, and adjust as needed.

Note #4-White pepper has a sharper, spicier flavor compared to black pepper. If you have more delicate taste buds, it can be left out without affecting the overall balance of the vinaigrette.

Note #5-

Whisking- Zest the oranges with a microplane and then combine all ingredients except oil in a bowl. Gradually drizzle in the oil while whisking constantly.

Shaking in a Jar- Zest the oranges with a microplane, then add all ingredients to a jar. Seal and shake vigorously until the vinaigrette is well combined.

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