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    Recipes » Salad Recipes » Salad Dressing

    Champagne Vinaigrette

    Published: Sep 8, 2020 · Modified: Dec 16, 2020 by Marissa Stevens · 34 Comments

    Gluten FreePaleoVegetarianMediterranean

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Elegant and versatile Champagne Vinaigrette adds the perfect finishing touch to any green salad. It's made in minutes with just a few simple ingredients that you may even keep on hand.

    Champagne Vinaigrette in a clear glass pitcher

    I can't remember when I stopped buying grocery store salad dressings. If you buy them now, I'll warn you that once you start making your own, you'll never go back to store bought. They're expensive, often have sub-optimal ingredients, and can taste a little off when you're used to homemade dressings.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients You Need to Make Champagne Vinaigrette
    • What is Champagne Vinegar?
    • Here's why this vinaigrette is so versatile.
    • More Homemade Salad Dressings to Try
    • How to Make Champagne Vinaigrette
    • Champagne Vinaigrette
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredients You Need to Make Champagne Vinaigrette

    • Champagne Vinegar: You can also use white wine vinegar.
    • Dijon Mustard: Smooth and creamy, adds excellent flavor and helps the dressing emulsify.
    • Honey: For a vegan version, use maple syrup instead.
    • Shallot: Shallot adds just the right amount of gentle heat.
    • Olive Oil: As with all homemade salad dressings, it's best to use a good quality extra-virgin olive oil.
    • Fine Sea Salt: Or kosher salt, to taste.
    • Freshly Ground Black Pepper

    What is Champagne Vinegar?

    The key ingredient here is champagne vinegar. It lends a bright and tangy flavor to salad dressing with a milder flavor and less acidity than standard white vinegar. As the name implies, it's made from champagne that is aged and fermented.

    Here's why this vinaigrette is so versatile.

    No matter what kind of green salad you’re making, champagne vinaigrette is a beautiful way to tie your salad ingredients together. It equally complements sturdy greens like kale and tender greens like spinach or arugula. It mellows sharply flavored salad ingredients like red onion and shallot and accentuates rich flavors like avocado, nuts, and cheese. And, tossed with greens, it adds bright contrast served with deeply savory dishes like Coq au Vin Blanc or Chicken Ballotine, or with rich sides like Gratin Dauphinois.

    Champagne vinaigrette is a perfect fit for your lunch or dinner salads if you’re following a dairy free or gluten-free diet. Because of the honey it’s not vegan, but that's easily remedied by swapping it out for maple syrup or fruity, floral pomegranate molasses.

    If you haven't made your own dressing before, try this Champagne Vinaigrette recipe out for your next salad. I bet you'll never go back to store bought dressing!

    More Homemade Salad Dressings to Try

    • French Vinaigrette (A simple and versatile salad dressing!)
    • Greek Salad Dressing (Perfect for all kinds of Greek salads.)
    • Balsamic Vinaigrette (Honey sweetened and just 5 simple ingredients.)
    • Strawberry Vinaigrette (Made with fresh strawberries and strawberry preserves.)
    • Caesar Dressing (The ultimate homemade dressing for the classic salad that everyone loves!)
    • Homemade Ranch Dressing (Made with sour cream and fresh herbs - no mayo!)

    How to Make Champagne Vinaigrette

    Step 1: Combine vinegar, mustard, honey and shallot in a blender pitcher; blend until smooth.

    Champagne Vinaigrette Ingredients in the blender

    Step 2: With the blender running, add olive oil in a steady stream and blend until emulsified. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use, then drizzle over your favorite salads!

    blending Champagne Vinaigrette

    Champagne Vinaigrette

    Marissa Stevens
    A delicious, tasty salad dressing that's so simple you may learn the recipe by heart!
    5 from 10 votes
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course Condiment, Salad Dressing
    Cuisine French
    Servings 8 people
    Calories 166 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • ⅓ cup champagne vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
    • 1 teaspoon honey
    • 1 small shallot coarsely chopped
    • ⅔ cup extra-virgin olive oil
    • kosher salt or fine sea salt, to taste
    • freshly ground black pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • To a blender pitcher add vinegar, mustard, honey, and shallot; blend until smooth, scraping down sides with rubber spatula as necessary.
    • With blender running, add olive oil in a steady stream; blend until just emulsified. Season to taste with salt and pepper, blending to combine. Transfer to serving pitcher and refrigerate until ready to serve.

    Notes

    1. If olive oil solidifies in refrigerator; remove 15-30 minutes before serving to warm and liquify. Whisk vinaigrette to combine before serving.
    2. Makes about 1 cup or 8, 2-tablespoon servings. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 166kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 9mgPotassium: 10mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin C: 1mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword blender, creamy, easy
    Tried this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.

    More Salad Dressing

    • French Vinaigrette
    • Caesar Salad Dressing
    • Strawberry Vinaigrette
    • Balsamic Vinaigrette

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Paige says

      March 10, 2023 at 1:57 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely the BEST!!! Everyone raved about the flavors

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 14, 2023 at 8:25 am

        Hi Paige! I'm so glad that this was a hit. Thank you for coming back to let me know!

        Reply
    2. Lou says

      January 05, 2023 at 5:25 pm

      5 stars
      Loved this vinaigrette. It is the best. How long does it last in the fridge? Thanks. Lou

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        January 06, 2023 at 11:06 am

        Hi Lou! So glad you enjoyed this - it will last up to 2 weeks in an airtight container in the refrigerator. (I've added this info. to the recipe card too - thank you for asking about it!)

        Reply
    3. Sue Johnson says

      June 25, 2022 at 1:21 pm

      5 stars
      Bought Champagne Vinegar by mistake so I found this recipe online and tried it and it is now one of my favorites …I think I added a bit more honey.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        June 28, 2022 at 2:06 pm

        So glad you're enjoying this, Sue!

        Reply
    4. Jane Lightning says

      May 17, 2022 at 11:27 am

      If champagne vinegar is key ingredient, why do you say ok to sub white wine vinegar?

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        May 18, 2022 at 3:31 pm

        Hi Jane. I like to offer recipe options that allow readers to use ingredients they have on hand. In this recipe, white wine vinegar still makes a delicious vinaigrette.

        Reply
    5. Claudia Diaz says

      April 26, 2022 at 5:32 am

      5 stars
      Girl, this recipe is phenomenal! so versatile but super crisp, bright and delicious. I am a professional chef and have to tell you that this is a winner! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        April 26, 2022 at 8:12 pm

        aww...you made my day, Claudia!

        Reply
    6. Arlene says

      March 30, 2022 at 8:49 pm

      Can a recovering alcoholic use champagne vinegar?

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 31, 2022 at 9:51 am

        Hi there, Arlene! From what I've read there is very little alcohol if any left in Champagne vinegar (<2%). That said, if you're concerned, apple cider vinegar would also be delicious.

        Reply
    7. CHristina Rake says

      September 21, 2021 at 1:30 pm

      Would avocado oil work?

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        September 24, 2021 at 9:50 am

        Hi Christina! Sure, just note that avocado oil is a neutrally flavored oil. You'll lose the grassy, peppery flavor of extra virgin olive oil, but the vinaigrette will still be tasty!

        Reply
    8. Jeannette says

      July 31, 2021 at 3:57 pm

      If I added1 clove of garlic would it ruin the flavor?

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        August 01, 2021 at 12:30 pm

        Hi there, Jeanette! It will change the flavor for sure, but if you're a garlic lover, I say go for it. I'd start by adding half a clove of garlic and add more if the flavor isn't quite what you're looking for. I hope that helps!

        Reply
    9. winegirl says

      December 28, 2020 at 2:56 pm

      5 stars
      This is such an amazing recipe! Quick question: how long does this keep in the fridge? I made a batch a while ago and we haven't been as good as we should have been about eating salads lately! I wasn't sure if I should just toss it and make another batch 🙂

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        December 28, 2020 at 4:42 pm

        I'm so glad you're enjoying the vinaigrette! It will keep for about 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

        Reply
    10. Chef Mimi says

      September 12, 2020 at 4:58 am

      Champagne vinegar is so lovely and light. This is a wonderful vinaigrette. I’m with you - I don’t buy dressings of any kind. I grew up with oil and vinegar, and was used to the “purity” of those ingredients. If you ever have champagne leftover, you can reduce it, add a milk vinegar like a rice wine vinegar, and make your own champagne vinaigrette!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        September 18, 2020 at 11:38 am

        Such a great tip, Mimi. Thank you! I still love a simple oil and vinegar on greens too.

        Reply
    11. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

      September 11, 2020 at 6:09 am

      5 stars
      I love homemade dressings too Marissa and will most definitely be giving this one a try! Looks delicious!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        September 11, 2020 at 11:57 am

        That's so nice to hear, Mary Ann. Thank you!

        Reply
      • Hasin says

        September 26, 2020 at 12:22 am

        5 stars
        Marissa,
        I loved your presentation. I'm sure this vinaigrette finishes off any meal with a zing and how simple the home dressings are if we know the right ingredients. Love the very look of it. Thanks

        Reply
        • Marissa Stevens says

          September 26, 2020 at 11:24 am

          Thanks so much, Hasin!

          Reply
    12. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

      September 10, 2020 at 3:31 pm

      5 stars
      Nothing compares to homemade dressings - they just taste so much better... scratch that, they actually HAVE taste and flavor, right!? I love champagne vinaigrette, it really is the perfect versatile dressing. Your's looks heavenly delicious! Honestly, I may just drink this up with a straw! 🙂 Yummy!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        September 11, 2020 at 11:58 am

        aww...thank you, Cheyanne!

        Reply
    13. Ben | Havocinthekitchen says

      September 10, 2020 at 6:04 am

      I don't remember when we bought a salad dressing last time, either! In fact, we rarely put a dressing on our salads; a little drizzle of oil or/and balsamic (lemon) does the job! But this champagne vinaigrette sounds so delicious (yet light and refreshing) that I might give it a try!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        September 11, 2020 at 11:58 am

        We do that a lot too, Ben! That said, I do hope you'll give this a try. 😉

        Reply
    14. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

      September 09, 2020 at 4:36 am

      5 stars
      Homemade vinaigrette and dressings are seriously the best! Love how you can control what's in there! I've been eating so many salads lately and will have to give this vinaigrette a try next time. Looks and sounds yummy 🙂

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        September 11, 2020 at 11:58 am

        Yay! Thank you, Dawn.

        Reply
    15. David @ Spiced says

      September 09, 2020 at 4:21 am

      5 stars
      I totally agree with you, Marissa! Once you go to homemade dressings, you can't go back to the bottled ones! (I mean the bottled ones are convenient still, but homemade taste SO much better.) I don't think I've ever made champagne vinaigrette at home...but there's a first time for everything!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        September 11, 2020 at 11:59 am

        I hope you'll love it, David!

        Reply
    16. angiesrecipes says

      September 08, 2020 at 6:23 am

      Dressing makes the salad! I would eat any salad if this Champagne vinaigrette is served 🙂

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        September 11, 2020 at 11:59 am

        That's so sweet, Angie. Thank you!

        Reply

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