If red pepper jelly is a condiment you’ve never tried, I suggest you get a jar right away. It’s one of the most versatile and under-utilized condiments out there. It works well in marinades, as a sandwich condiment, and in salad dressings.
If you’re not currently in the habit of making homemade salad dressings, you will be after making this one. The flavor is the perfect mixture of sweet and spicy and it couldn’t be easier to make. Plus it will keep for days in your refrigerator.
The flavor of homemade dressings is so much fresher, without those horrible preservative aftertastes so many bottled dressings have. Just a few simple ingredients is all it takes to make a great tasting dressing. Have you taken a look at all the ingredients in some of those fat-free dressings? Scary Stuff.
I’ve adapted this Red Pepper Jelly Vinaigrette recipe from Southern Living, cutting down on the amount of oil. I like a salad dressing that’s a little heavy on vinegar. That way I use a lot less of it because of the strong flavor. And when you factor in that there are fewer calories per tablespoon because you are using less oil, it’s a double win.
It may take some getting use to if you are used to oil-heavy dressings, but give it a try. It’s an excellent way to keep your calories low when consuming salad. Because that’s probably the reason you’re eating salad in the first place. Right?
Red Pepper Jelly Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
- ¼ cup olive oil or vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons red pepper jelly
- 1 small shallot, (1-2 tablespoons), minced
- 1 teaspoon stone ground mustard
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk well.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Good and unusual dressing-and good….i had with leafy greens,smoked turkey, carrots, celery and cucumber DELISH….I think it would also be good for a spinach salad AND fruit salad too.
Thanks fo the recipe!
Made it with a roasted Brussels sprouts salad including goat cheese, roasted pecans, sliced Granny Smith apple slices and baby spinach. My take on a favorite from a Chattanooga restaurant.
Love this dressing! Make a green salad, add dried cranberries, honey pecans and feta cheese and you have a delicious meal!
Yum!!
Delish. Used it on a watermelon salad (watermelon, arugula, cucumber, red onion, blue cheese and candied pecans).Fantastic combo.
that is soo ironic that’s exactly what i do too minus the cucumber and onion
this recipe was very simple and easy to make my family and I really enjoyed it !!
Going to try today. I have been adding pepper jelly to Good Seasoning Italian. It is convenient and I like it, but I think it probably takes something from the flavor of the jelly.
Love this dressing thanks for sharing the recipe!
So happy you like it!
I wanted to make this recipe but didn’t have red pepper jelly so I substituted tomato preserves,. It was delicious. Thank you for the inspiration !!!
Just wondering if you’ve ever tried this with green pepper jelly or jalapeño jelly. We tried a jalapeño vinegarette recently and loved it. Trying to duplicate it. This is definitely going on the list of things to try!
I haven’t tried it with either green pepper jelly or jalapeno jelly but I think it would be just as good with them. 🙂
I bought a jar of red pepper jelly and haven’t quite known what to do with it. This looks yummy…i love dressings that are high on the vinegar and low on the oil. This one looks right up my alley 🙂
I think you will really like this dressing Amy. Red pepper jelly also tastes great spread on a block of cream cheese and served with crackers 🙂
Love pepper jelly and cream cheese on a butter cracker as snack or party dish. Pepper jelly vinaigrette is great with a spinach salad with some chicken, strawberries and feta. Also can add tomato but might be too much