Healthy Cranberry Balsamic Dressing Recipe
This tart-sweet Cranberry Balsamic Dressing is oil-free, naturally sweetened with dates, and perfect for salads, featuring a burst of fresh orange.
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 52kcal
Equipment
- Blender or immersion blender
Ingredients
- 2 cups cranberries fresh or frozen
- 4 large Medjool dates (about ½ cup) pitted and chopped
- 1 ½ cups water plus more as needed
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon orange zest optional
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme or dried herbs
- 2 cloves garlic
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar or to taste (see notes)
- ¼ cup orange juice or to taste (about one-half orange)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Soften cranberries and dates: In a medium saucepan, combine cranberries, dates, and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to low. Simmer, uncovered, for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until cranberries burst and dates soften.
- Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Transfer to a blender with Dijon, orange zest, thyme, and garlic. Blend until silky smooth.
- Add balsamic and orange juice to taste - Transfer the dressing to a jar and start whisking in the balsamic vinegar gradually until the flavor is balanced to your liking. Then add the orange juice to achieve the desired brightness. Season with salt and pepper.
- Thin with water if needed for a pourable consistency.
Notes
Add balsamic vinegar one tablespoon at a time, as each one is different. Add more as needed.
Choose a sweeter orange, like Cara Cara, and add the juice gradually to brighten and sweeten the dressing to taste.
Freeze extra for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Calories: 52kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 0.5g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 16mg | Potassium: 115mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 44IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 0.4mg
