Ever stand in the grocery store aisle, scanning those salad dressing labels, only to have your jaw drop at the sodium numbers? If you’ve ever thought, “Wait, is that salt or salad in this bottle?” then you’re definitely not alone. It’s wild how much sodium sneaks into the stuff that’s supposed to make our salads healthier.
But here’s the thing making your own low sodium balsamic vinaigrette at home is way easier (and way tastier) than most people think. No fancy chef skills required. No hard-to-find ingredients. Just a handful of pantry staples and a couple of minutes. That’s it!$
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents
Why Go Low Sodium?
Let’s be real for a second: sodium isn’t the villain in small amounts, but for a lot of us, those small amounts add up fast. Too much salt can leave you feeling puffy and tired, and it’s not great for your heart or kidneys. Store-bought dressings are often one of the sneakiest sources of extra sodium in our diets. That’s why a homemade dressing, like this one, is a game-changer for anyone watching their salt or just wanting to feel better after lunch.
What Makes This Balsamic Vinaigrette So Awesome?
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Low Sodium Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Total Time: 5 mins
- Yield: 1 1x
Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil
- ⅓ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or other sweetener of choice (like honey or sugar)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard or low sodium mustard
- 1 orange juiced, or substitute 1 lemon
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a medium bowl (or mason jar with airtight lid), add the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, mustard, maple syrup or sweetener, orange juice, and pepper.
- Mix well to combine all ingredients – the dressing will turn thick and creamy.
- Pour into your favorite salad, or refrigerate in an airtight container and use within a week.
Notes
How Many Servings Does This Recipe Make?
This recipe makes about 1 cup of dressing total, and 4 1/4 cup servings. The nutritional information estimated for this recipe is 26mg of sodium per each 1/4 cup serving.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: N/A
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 302kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Fat: 27g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Protein: 1g
Tips and Tricks
- Want to cut the sodium even more? Swap in a salt-free or low-sodium mustard and double-check your nutrition labels.
- Like it sweeter? Add a bit more maple syrup or honey. More tang? Squeeze in extra lemon.
- No orange? Lemon does the trick just fine, and honestly, it’s delicious.
What To Pair It With
This dressing is a classic for leafy greens, but don’t stop there. Try it on grain bowls, roasted veggies, or as a marinade for chicken or tofu. I’ve even drizzled it on a sandwich trust me, it works.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to settle for boring, salty store-bought dressings. This homemade low sodium balsamic vinaigrette is proof that healthy can be crazy delicious, super simple, and easy on your heart. Plus, it actually makes you want to eat salad. Imagine that!