This sweet onion vinaigrette is the perfect sweet-savory combo you didn't know you needed. Sharp red onions bring a little heat and attitude, while two kinds of vinegar, some spices, and a kiss of maple syrup balance it out. It's a dream on summer salads packed with fresh fruits and berries, but honestly? You'll want this delicious dressing in your fridge all year long!
You might be used to sweet onion vinaigrettes made with sweet Vidalia onions, but this red onion dressing is a total upgrade. It's bold, bright, and way more fun.
This one's in my personal top tier of all-time favorite salad dressings. As the onions hang out in the vinegar, they start to soften and sweeten for a slightly pickled flavor that takes things over the top.
It's great on pretty much any salad, but those sweet notes absolutely shine with berries, cukes, tomatoes - you name it. Next time you want a salad that actually gets you excited, you know what to do!
Why you’ll love this Sweet Onion Vinaigrette Recipe
- Ridiculously easy recipe made with simple ingredients you can whisk together any time
- Tastes even better after a day or two in the fridge (meal prep win!)
- Cheaper, cleaner, and tastier than bottled dressings from the store
- Perfectly balanced - sweet, tangy, and just enough sass
Ingredients for Sweet Onion Dressing
- Red onion - The star of the show! I prefer to use red onions since they're extremely inexpensive and I always have them on hand. Plus, they have a milder flavor than regular white or yellow onions, so they aren't quite as in your face. They soak up all that vinaigrette goodness so well.
- Red wine vinegar - This recipe calls for a mix of two types of vinegar for just the right sweet, tangy flavor. I highly recommend using both as written in the recipe card, if possible.
- Balsamic vinegar - Balsamic is rich, glossy, intense flavor, and has a natural sweetness that works perfectly with onions.
- Olive oil - Adds richness and helps the vinaigrette cling to those tender greens. I usually use extra virgin olive oil, but you can use light olive oil or another neutral oil for a milder flavor.
- Pure maple syrup - To add a little sweetness and extra depth of flavor.
- Italian seasoning - The dried herbs offer another layer of flavor that helps make the dressing taste a little more savory.
- Salt
Bonus tip: The vinegar due gives you the very best flavor. Don't skip it!
How to Make Sweet Onion Vinaigrette
- To a jar or bowl add chopped onion, red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, pure maple syrup, salt and Italian seasoning.
- Whisk or cover and shake until well combined
How to Store
Store any leftover dressing in an airtight container or glass jar in the fridge for up to 5 days. Give it a good shake before serving.
Tips for Making the Best Red Onion Dressing
- Use fresh onions. Onions are onions, right? Well, there's a big difference between a grocery store onion hiding in the back of your pantry and one straight from the farmer's market or your garden. Quality can make a huge difference in flavor.
- Try shallots. For a milder flavor, replace the red onion with shallots. They work wonderfully with the different flavors here and have more of a delicate flavor you'll love.
- Be patient. This delicious salad dressing tastes significantly better after 1-2 days in the fridge. Try making it the night before you need it, or on the weekend, for great flavor on all your favorite greens.
Serving Suggestions
This dressing is somewhere between a vinaigrette and a quick pickled onion situation and it works great with just about everything. I especially love in with any fruits or berries since that sweet onion flavor really pops.
Try it in any of my favorite salads, like this Strawberry White Bean Salad or Balsamic Strawberry Feta Salad, and you'll see what I mean.
Other Delicious Homemade Dressings
Making your own salad dressings is easier than you'd think! All of these recipes are chef-tested, vegan, and totally delicious, and most are ready in 5 minutes or less. You may never bother with store-bought salad dressings again!
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Sweet Red Onion Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- ½ red onion diced very small
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 tsp dry Italian Seasoning
Instructions
- To a jar or bowl add chopped onion, red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, pure maple syrup, salt and italian seasoning.
- Whisk or cover and shake until well combined
- Store refrigerated and use within 5 days for best quality.
Gina Millis
very light and refreshing, thank you for the recipe
Sara Tercero
So happy you liked it Gina! Thanks for the 5 star rating too.