Sweet and Tangy Salad Dressing

This 3-ingredient Sweet and Tangy salad dressing recipe has been around for years, so I clearly can’t take sole responsibility for its creation.

It’s a simple, sweet & tangy “oil and vinegar” dressing on its own, or you can “dress it up” with additional seasonings and herbs.

It’s also an excellent marinade for tomatoes, onion, cucumbers and avocado! Just add a little salt and pepper and serve!

My Grandmother used to keep a jar of this sweet and tangy all-purpose salad dressing in the fridge; she’d marinate cucumbers and onions in it and serve them with just about every Southern meal!

Why you’ll love this recipe!

• Versatile: serve over crisp greens or a marinade for cucumbers, red onions, or avocados
• Keeps well in the fridge: I like to make a big jar and keep it on hand in the fridge
• All-natural: no mystery ingredients, preservatives or ingredients you can’t pronounce

Here’s what you’ll need: 3-ingredients

Apple cider vinegar, sugar, oil….maybe a pinch of salt, but that’s it!

I use olive oil, but you can use vegetable or canola oil. Once you whisk this together, feel free to adjust the flavor to your preference.

The beauty of this all-purpose oil and vinegar dressing is that it’s all-natural: no additives, preservatives or yucky stuff! 

How to make it:

Heat ingredients in a saucepan on medium until sugar is dissolved. Allow to cool and serve.

Variations 

• Want an Italian spin? Add a clove or two of garlic to the mixture while bringing it to a boil, then toss in some fresh or dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano, rosemary) and a little fresh Parmesan. Allow the combination to cool in the fridge before serving.
• Hot Bacon Dressing: Substitute the oil with two tablespoons of hot bacon grease; pour the warm sauce over spinach salad for a Wilted Spinach salad; garnish with bleu cheese and bacon crumbles
• Use as a marinade for red onions, cucumbers, radishes and avocados

How to store it:

This mixture lasts up to three months if properly stored in the fridge. Because oil and vinegar naturally separate, keep it in a shaker jar, so you can shake it up right before using it.

This sweet and tangy salad dressing is nice to have on hand, especially if you’re looking for something a little lighter and more natural than jarred salad dressings. Drizzle this while it’s warm over fresh greens for a “wilted” salad.

Related recipes:

• Buttermilk Dill Dressing
• 5-Minute Lemon Butter Sauce
• Caesar Salad Dressing

♥ If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below! I love to hear from you!