This Honey Dressing Is The Only Dressing You’ll Need All Summer

deleciousfood | May 26, 2023 | Salad | No Comments

I keep a bottle in the fridge all summer

<p>Johnny Autry; Food and prop styling: Charlotte L. Autry</p>
<p>” src=”https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/xLkYlrgk09W76IoomsET8A–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTgyNw–/https://media.zenfs.com/en/southern_living_806/3a7d8e74c8fd0163b5771be564e813d7″/><noscript><img alt= — Johnny Autry; Food and prop styling: Charlotte L. Autry

It’s honey vinaigrette season! Once the weather warms up and the produce makes a big comeback at the farmer’s market, I start craving my favorite dressing. If you’re picturing a big bowl of leafy greens, that’s just the beginning.

The main reason I love this sweet-tart dressing is that it’s ridiculously versatile. Made with canola oil, white balsamic vinegar, honey, chopped red onion Or shallot, and a pinch of salt and black pepper, it’s the kind of dressing that naturally highlights almost anything you pair it with. Here are some of my favorite ways to use it.

Strawberry salad with honey vinaigrette

Something magical happens when you use honey dressing in a salad with strawberries. Whether it’s a spinach salad with blue cheese and candied pecans; mesclun with berries, tomatoes and bacon; or arugula and herbs with crispy prosciutto, you can’t go wrong. (In all of these recipes, simply replace the honey dressing recipe with the suggested dressing.) Don’t like strawberries? Citrus fruits are another great option. Try it in a sunny mixed citrus salad or a grapefruit and avocado salad.

Chicken Salads with Honey Vinaigrette

You may think this dressing is too sweet to serve with poultry, but you’d be wrong. White balsamic vinegar and bright red onion balance out the honey, making it a perfect pairing for chicken salads of all kinds. Two of my favorites are this bright and crispy breaded chicken salad with raisins, almonds and broccoli and a grilled chicken salad with blueberries, goat cheese and pickled red onions. Any chicken salad made with a vinegar-based dressing (rather than May) will probably taste great with the honey dressing.

Tomato salad with honey vinaigrette

Like strawberries, tomatoes love white balsamic vinegar and honey. Not a summer goes by without at least one tomato, peach, and corn salad, which is actually made with my favorite dressing. You can also use it in this easy chicken salad and tomato salad mix made with tons of heirloom and shredded roast chicken. And for something really out of the ordinary, try it with our Grilled Green Tomatoes with Jalapeño-Honey Vinaigrette — just add the chiles.