Best 3 Copycat Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette Recipes

Zesty apple cider vinaigrette is a delightful salad dressing that blends the sweetness of apples with the tanginess of vinegar. This versatile dressing is perfect for a variety of salads, from simple green salads to more complex salads with roasted vegetables or grilled meats. The bright, acidic flavor of the vinegar cuts through the richness of the oil, while the sweetness of the apples balances out the acidity. With its perfect balance of flavors, zesty apple cider vinaigrette is sure to become a favorite dressing in your kitchen.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

COPYCAT CHICK-FIL-A® ZESTY APPLE CIDER VINAIGRETTE

Copycat Chick-fil-A® Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette image

It was love at first bite. I am a big fan of Chick-fil-A® Grilled Market Salad and their signature Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette! So, I went on a search for a recipe to fill that craving. I found a lot of great recipes, but many of the dressings I tried were not quite right. Many of the copycat vinaigrette recipes use olive oil, which has its own distinct taste and is not an ingredient listed on the dressing packet you get at the restaurant. Besides, many of the dressings while they tasted OK, tended to separate and become globby (you may have to consult the urban dictionary for that word folks) when stored in the fridge - not good. So, I set out to recreate this beloved vinaigrette using only the ingredients listed on the dressing packet, and I must say - I hit the mark. This dressing is amazing...the zing of the apple cider vinegar, hint of sweet pineapple and tangy lime juice and warm heat of the freshly-cracked black pepper is a sure winner! To boot, the dressing does not separate and remains silky, even after several days in the fridge. Enjoy!

Categories Appetizers / Soups / Salads Salad Appetizers / Soups / Salads Salad

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

10 tablespoons soybean oil (I use Wesson® vegetable oil)
4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
4 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons pineapple juice
2 teaspoons lime juice
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly-cracked black pepper, course
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon xanthan gum*
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon sugar

Steps:

Combine xanthan gum, sugar and water into a small bowl, and whisk to create a smooth gel, removing any lumps. Combine all other ingredients into a medium size bowl, and gently whisk in the xanthan gum gel until dressing is smooth and all ingredients are incorporated. Transfer dressing to a vinaigrette bottle, and store in the fridge until ready to use.
Now, how easy was that? Enjoy this vinaigrette dressing over my Spiced Pecan, Berries & Goat Cheese Salad or Copycat Chick-fil-A® Grilled Market Salad (see www.lisabuckholts.com for recipes)!

Nutrition Facts : Nutritional Info Servings Per Recipe 10 Amount Per Serving Calories

COPYCAT ZESTY APPLE CIDER VINAIGRETTE

Copycat Zesty Apple Cider Vinaigrette image

I am a big fan of Chick-fil-A's® grilled market salad and their signature zesty apple cider vinaigrette! So, I developed a recipe to fill that craving. This dressing is simply amazing... the zing of the apple cider vinegar, hint of sweet pineapple and tangy lime juice, and warm heat of the freshly cracked black pepper is a sure winner!

Provided by Lisa Buckholts

Time 10m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon white sugar
⅛ teaspoon xanthan gum
10 tablespoons vegetable oil
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
¼ cup honey
2 tablespoons pineapple juice
2 teaspoons lime juice
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon coarsely cracked black pepper
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Steps:

Combine water, sugar, and xanthan gum in a small bowl; whisk to create a smooth gel with no lumps.
Combine vegetable oil, vinegar, honey, pineapple juice, lime juice, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne in a medium bowl. Whisk in xanthan gum gel until dressing is smooth and all ingredients are incorporated. Transfer to a vinaigrette bottle and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 152.3 calories, Carbohydrate 8.3 g, Fat 13.6 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 0.1 g, SaturatedFat 2.1 g, Sodium 234.9 mg, Sugar 7.8 g

APPLE CIDER VINAIGRETTE

Apple Cider Vinaigrette image

Consider this vinaigrette a blank slate. You can use it as is, or add some favorite herbs, such as thyme, basil or cilantro. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 5m

Yield 1 cup.

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

2/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

Combine all ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid; shake well. Store in the refrigerator. Just before serving, shake dressing again.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 171 calories, Fat 18g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 105mg sodium, Carbohydrate 2g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein. Diabetic Exchanges

Tips:

Use a variety of apples to create a complex flavor profile. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Fuji are all great options.
Be sure to simmer the apple cider vinegar until it is reduced by half. This will concentrate the flavor and make the vinaigrette more flavorful.
Add a touch of Dijon mustard to the vinaigrette for a bit of tang.
If you like a sweeter vinaigrette, add a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup.
For a more herbaceous vinaigrette, add a handful of chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley, cilantro, or basil.
Season the vinaigrette to taste with salt and pepper.

Conclusion:

This zesty apple cider vinaigrette is a delicious and versatile dressing that can be used on a variety of salads, grilled meats, and roasted vegetables. It is also a great way to use up leftover apple cider. With its bright, tangy flavor, this vinaigrette is sure to please everyone at your table.