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Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing. The perfect salad dressing for those following the Paleo or Auto Immune Protocol Diet. Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free and no refined sugar. 
Recipe originally published April 2017, photos updated March 2018.
Gluten-Free Salad Dressing
Lunch can be a hard meal for people eating gluten-free. A lot of the time, I make a HUGE salad for lunch.
When My husband and I were on the Auto Immune Protocol diet, I needed to make a homemade salad dressing, because no processed foods were allowed.
With a little experimenting, I ended up creating the perfect balsamic vinaigrette that would follow both the AIP and Paleo dietary guidelines.
Homemade Salad Dressing
I could not believe how amazing this super simple and super healthy salad dressing was. It was full of flavors that complimented my salads. It is easy to whip up and I am sure you have all of the needed ingredients in your kitchen.
After mixing all of the ingredients in a small bowl, I store it in an empty glass jelly jar. The balsamic vinaigrette dressing keeps well in the refrigerator, and if it starts to separate you can just shake it.
Make sure to pull the balsamic vinaigrette out of the refrigerator before you start to make your salad so it is easier to shake (sometimes the olive oil gets a little cold). I only now use this balsamic vinaigrette dressing on all of my salads. No more bottle dressings for me!
This gluten-free balsamic vinaigrette is the perfect salad dressing for those following the Paleo or Auto Immune Protocol Diet.
Looking for more AIP or Paleo recipes?
- Crispy Chicken Thighs One Pan Meal
- Grilled Chicken Chimichurri Salad {Gluten-free, Paleo, Nightshade Free}
- Paleo Pesto Turkey Meatballs
- Easy Beef Stew {Instant Pot, Slow-Cooker, Gluten-Free, Paleo, AIP, Whole30}
Looking for something a little sweet but healthy?
Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing {Gluten-Free, Paleo, AIP}
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup vinegar (blend), 1/2 apple cider vinegar, 1/2 balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2/3 cup olive oil, I use extra virgin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt, I use pink Himalayan salt
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients (seasonings) in a small bowl.
- For the vinegar blend, I use a 1/3 measuring cup and I fill it halfway with the apple cider vinegar and then top it off with the balsamic vinegar. So you only use 1/3 cup of the vinegar mix in the dressing.
- Add honey, water, vinegar blend and olive oil to the dry ingredients and whisk until all ingredients are fully combined.
- Pour the balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing into a glass jar for storage.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Will you share the brand of balsamic vinaigrette you used? I’m curious with sulfites how this would be AIP compliant?! Thanks!
Hi Heather, balsamic vinegar is AIP-compliant if it is pure and aged. Make sure not to use an imitation product like Vinegar of Modena. The only ingredient in pure aged balsamic vinegar is cooked grape must.
does this have to be refrigerated?? acv and balsamic vinegar don’t have to be refrigerated on there on and I am needing a salad dressing to take on vacation with me so it will be in my carry on bag and backpack all day.
Hi Amber! I recommend refrigerating this vinaigrette just to be on the safe side, but all of the ingredients are shelf stable, so it should be fine to travel with if you’ll be able to refrigerate it once your reach your destination.
Thank you for this yummy recipe! I’m currently on the elimination phase of AIP, and I make this once a week. This week I doubled it so I have the option of using it for two meals. Thanks again!
Am I the only one that doesn’t know what vinegar blend is ?? ..so I can’t use regular distilled vinegar ?
Hi Abby! The vinegar blend is half apple cider vinegar and half balsamic vinegar. Distilled vinegar won’t work in this recipe.
I’m doing AIP for a second time (for real this time!), and I searched for this recipe again because I remembered how delicious it was back in the fall. I love vinegar, and the honey was the perfect touch of sweetness. Thank you for sharing!
We love this dressing! I have started using only 1/3 cup of EVOO since we like the extra bite of the vinegar mix. Thank you
Absolutely delicious! I have been looking for a good AIP Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad Dressing and this is it!
This is really good. Not only is it good on salads, I use it on sauted vegatables. Thanks
I have been AIP for months now and had just resorted to eating my salads dry because I couldn’t find a good vinaigrette to replace my favorite balsamic vinaigrette with mustard. Salads just weren’t the same. This dressing is wonderful! Finally back to loving salads 🙂
Love all your great info, life can be made a little easier for us folks that have AIP issues. No dairy or gluten & a few other things for me either. Blessing to you & your family.
This is perfect. I like it better than any non-AIP dressing I have ever tasted!!
The only dressing we use in our house!
Have made this once a week since I found it in March, love it! Oh, and I double the recipe!
Love this go-to recipe. Delicious, easy, and healthy! Thank you for creating the perfect blend of flavors and nutrients. I use this often.
Thank you so much Kathy for the awesome 5-star recipe review! I am so happy this is your go-to recipe and you enjoy the recipe. You are so welcome, I love sharing the recipes I make with my family. Thanks again!
No more store bought dressing. This rocks. You rock 🙂
Thank you so much Sandra for the awesome 5-star recipe review, it really made me smile! I am so happy the dressing rocks! No more store-bought dressing for me either. Thanks again!
This dressing was excellen! I am very new to the Paleo diet and needed dressing in a flesh, this was quick and delicious.
Thank you!
Thank you so much Sarah for the awesome 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you enjoyed the dressing and it was excellent. You are so welcome, I love sharing what I make for my family. Thanks again!
Thought it was wonderful. Definitely made my aip sald much better!
Audrey, Thank you for the tastiest salad dressing ever! I’m AIP and struggling with dressings. This made my day. Do I refrigerate it?
Thank you,
Chris
Thank you so much Chris for the awesome recipe review! I am so happy that you are enjoying the salad dressing. I refrigerate the salad dressing and then shake/stir it really well before using it again. Thanks again!
delicious and easy! with just starting AIP, it’s harder for me to find cold dishes to take to work than it is to make dinners (had to give up my pea protein/fruit shakes) – now I have a tasty dressing for my salad greens!!
Thank you so much Justine for the awesome 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you enjoy the salad dressing and it’s easy to make. I totally understand the lunch struggle for sure. This is my go-to salad dressings. Thank you again!
Great looking recipe! Is the basil supposed to be fresh or dried? thanks!
Hi John! The basil is dried. I will clarify it in the recipe. I hope you enjoy it!
This is so good! Thank you so much.
Thank you so much Summer for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! You are so welcome I love sharing what I make for my family.
Sounds great! But im confused do you use all 3 types of vinegar (vinegar, apple cider, and balsamic) or choose one?
Hi Callie! It’s both the apple cider vinegar and the balsamic vinegar. I use a 1/3 measuring cup and I fill it halfway with the apple cider vinegar and then top it off with the balsamic vinegar. So you only use 1/3 cup of the vinegar mix in the dressing. I am sorry that it was not clear. I hope you enjoy the dressings. It’s my favorite!
This so yummy especially for being AIP friendly!! It was also so easy to prepare, which is a plus. I absolutely love it! I can now happily eat my salads again! Lol
Thank you Haley so much for the wonderful 5-star review! This is the only salad dressing I eat. It makes me so happy to hear that you enjoyed it, especially if you are following the AIP diet. Both my husband and I followed the AIP diet and understand the many food restrictions.
This dressing is so good! I’ve made it about 5 times so far and it doesn’t last long. We put it on a avocados and different cooked meats. So delish!
Hi Denise! This is my favorite dressing and I make it several times a week in my home too. No more store-bought dressings for me. I am so happy you are enjoying it! Thank you so much for the wonderful 5-star review.
This is delicious! Will be making a larger batch next time. Very yummy! Thanks!
I am so glad you enjoyed it! It’s my favorite salad dressing. You are so welcome, I love sharing what I make for my family. Thank you for the wonderful 5-star recipe rating Sheri!
Love this! I make my own salad dressing too. As much as I love it (a mustard vinaigrette), it is nice to be able to switch it up.
I love homemade salad dressings. A mustard vinaigrette sounds yummy!