The Best Red Wine Vinaigrette Recipe (5 Minutes!)

This super simple red wine vinaigrette recipe comes together in just minutes and requires only a handful of pantry staple ingredients! Enjoy the sweet tang of red wine vinegar balanced with fruity olive oil, Dijon mustard, fresh garlic, and dried herbs. This vinaigrette will transform your favorite salad into a showstopper.

5 Minute Red Wine Vinaigrette Recipe

• It’s made with pantry staples. My favorite thing about this recipe is that I typically have everything on hand that I need to make it!
• Sweet, tangy, and salty, this olive oil and vinegar dressing is the easiest salad dressing you’ll ever make. Add the 5 ingredients (plus salt and pepper) to a mason jar, give it a good shake, and you’ve got delicious salad dressing that will stay good in the fridge for weeks!
• If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my sun-dried tomato dressing, creamy balsamic dressing, and my honey Dijon dressing.

Ingredients for Red Wine Vinaigrette

Olive Oil

I use cold-pressed, organic, extra-virgin olive oil for my dressings. You can also substitute with avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or another mildly flavored oil.

Red Wine Vinegar

Red wine vinegar can be replaced with white wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, white balsamic vinegar, or apple cider vinegar. Each vinegar offers a unique flavor profile that would work well in this recipe.

Garlic

Finely grated fresh garlic works best in this recipe. I like to use a microplane to get the garlic super fine. That way it will mix in with the other ingredients and you’ll get a little garlic flavor in each bite. If you don’t have a microplane, just finely mince the garlic using a sharp knife. You can use a couple pinches of garlic powder as a substitute for the fresh garlic.

Dijon Mustard

Dijon mustard has an amazing tangy flavor profile with a little bit of spice that adds another layer of flavor. It’s also important as it helps to keep the oil and vinegar emulsified, creating a creamy dressing that doesn’t separate quite as easily.

Italian Seasoning

If you don’t have Italian seasoning, you can use dried oregano, dried thyme, dried basil, dried rosemary, or any combination of your favorite dried herbs.

Salt and Pepper

Don’t be afraid of salt in this vinaigrette recipe! The ingredient list is so short and simple, salt is going to go a long way in boosting the overall flavor of the vinaigrette. Add salt and pepper to taste. And then probably add another pinch or two of salt!

How to make homemade red wine vinegar dressing

Add ingredients to a wide-mouth mason jar. Screw the lid on securely. Shake vigorously until well combined and emulsified.

Alternatively, add ingredients to a medium bowl and whisk vigorously until emulsified. 

Season to taste with salt and pepper. My favorite way to serve this red wine vinaigrette is with my simple Greek cucumber salad (pictured below). It’s loaded with fresh, fun flavors that pair perfectly with this tangy vinaigrette.

Tips for Making the Best Vinaigrette

• Shake well or whisk until emulsified. It may take a bit of elbow grease to get all the ingredients thoroughly combined. You’ll know the dressing is emulsified when it has a cohesive look and color and a creamy texture.
• This dressing can also be made in a blender or a food processor if you really want to speed things up!
• Serve this with any salad! This vinaigrette goes well with almost any salad, so it’s great to keep some on hand and at the ready in the fridge. Serve this red wine vinaigrette with my grilled halloumi cheese salad, arugula salad with dried cherries and goat cheese, and my easy Greek salad. 

Vinaigrette Variations

The best part of this recipe is that it’s super versatile! You can sub another vinegar in place of the red wine vinegar – ie: white wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, white balsamic vinegar, or apple cider vinegar – or add some of your other favorite flavors like:

• any dried or fresh herbs (dill, basil, parsley, thyme, chives, etc.)
• Maple syrup, agave, or honey to add a touch of sweetness
• finely grated Parmesan cheese to give it a more Italian flavor
• mayonnaise, sour cream, or Greek yogurt to make it extra creamy
• stone ground mustard or whole grain mustard in place of the Dijon
• a pinch of red pepper flakes to give it a little kick
• a squeeze of lemon juice or lemon zest for some extra acidity
• minced shallot for a hint of onion flavor

How to Use Red Wine Vinaigrette for Things Other Than Salad

I love to keep this red wine vinaigrette in the fridge to add a little extra flavor to our favorite weeknight dishes like:

• air fryer asparagus
• air fryer zucchini
• air fryer green beans
• roasted baby potatoes
• Mediterranean roasted artichoke hearts

We also use it to:

• marinate fish or chicken
• drizzle over grilled fish or chicken
• brush on bread for Bruschetta before grilling
• add a drizzle to a grilled turkey sandwich

What is red wine vinegar?

Red wine vinegar is technically fermented red wine. It’s tangy, acidic, and on its own, it’s quite a harsh flavor. However, when paired with olive oil, Dijon, and dried herbs it creates a tasty combination that will take your meals from bland and boring to bursting with delicious flavor!

What is a vinaigrette?

A vinaigrette is a mixture made from oil and vinegar. It is commonly used as a dressing but also works well as a marinade. Many vinaigrettes will also include Dijon mustard, dried herbs, and fresh garlic.

What is red wine vinaigrette made of?

Red wine vinaigrette is typically made with red wine vinegar, olive oil, dried herbs, and Dijon mustard. But from there, the possibilities are endless! You can mix in any number of fresh or dried herbs, add a little spice, or add minced garlic or shallot!

What is the best ratio of oil to vinegar?

The typical ratio suggested is 3:1 meaning you use 3 parts olive oil to 1 part vinegar. I find that this isn’t quite tangy enough for me, so I often lean more toward a 2:1 ratio. Play around and see what ratios you like the best. Use this recipe as a blueprint and make it your own!

How to Make Red Wine Vinaigrette Ahead of Time

This red wine vinaigrette is the perfect make-ahead dressing! It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 2 weeks which means you can make a big batch over the weekend and then enjoy easy salads with homemade dressing all week!

Storing Vinaigrette Dressing

Store the vinaigrette in an airtight mason jar or other salad dressing container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. The olive oil may begin to solidify as it sits in the fridge. Before you’re ready to eat, let the vinaigrette sit out on the counter until the olive comes back to room temp and turns to liquid again. Whisk vigorously if it has separated at all and season to taste with salt and pepper before serving.

Freezing Red Wine Vinaigrette

Believe it or not, oil and vinegar dressing can be frozen! Simply store in an airtight glass or plastic, freezer-safe container or jar, and then freeze for up to three months! Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving. Whisk vigorously if it has separated and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Try these dressing recipes next!