This Walnut Salad Dressing uses balsamic vinegar and walnuts as the star ingredients. It's loaded with flavor and has the right amount of twang. You may also like our pecan-based Healthy Balsamic Vinaigrette.
This healthy 5-ingredient walnut balsamic vinaigrette dressing is oil-free, vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, Daniel Fast-approved, and takes less than 10 minutes to make.
Health Benefits
Nutritionally, walnuts are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. Balsamic vinegar may also help to lower the glycemic index of the meal. Since the dates are an intact natural fruit, you're getting the fiber by using the Simple Homemade Date Syrup in this recipe. Garlic contains compounds shown to be beneficial for heart health. In addition to the health benefits of the ingredients in this dressing, my favorite of all is that it's so tasty, you'll want to eat more salad!
Walnut Balsamic Dressing Ingredients
- Walnuts: creamy base with nutty depth.
- Balsamic vinegar: adds bright acidity and savory complexity.
- Homemade Date Syrup: brings natural sweetness and viscosity.
- Garlic: adds punch and aromatic depth.
- Dijon Mustard: sharpness that helps emulsify and heightens flavor.
A full list of ingredients with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
How to Make This Walnut Salad Dressing
- Soak walnuts in hot water for 5 minutes to soften.
- Add all ingredients into a mini bullet blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Enjoy immediately!
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Expert Tips
- Don’t skip soaking the walnuts. It gives a smoother texture and prevents that chalky bite.
- Use a mini bullet blender for the creamiest consistency; a full-sized blender works okay, too.
- Fresh garlic is your secret weapon for that garlic zing, and skip the powder.
- Keep it in a mason jar and give it a good shake to re-emulsify before each use.
Ways to Enjoy This Walnut Salad Dressing
Pair this Walnut Salad Dressing with our Rainbow Salad, Arugula Quinoa Salad, or Beet Arugula Salad. This sauce also works beautifully as a dip for the veggies in our Healthy Girl Dinner.
Recipe FAQs
Store leftovers in an airtight container, like a mason jar, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Absolutely! It’s loaded with omega-3s, plant-based fiber, and clean ingredients that support heart and metabolic health. Learn more about the health benefits of walnuts.
The best way to adjust the consistency is with water. Use less water for a thicker consistency (or add more walnuts). Use more water for a thinner texture.
This Walnut Salad Dressing isn’t just another vinaigrette; it’s a flavor bomb that brings creamy richness, tangy depth, and a dash of sweetness in under 10 minutes. Oil-free, nutritious, and fiercely delicious. Trust me, or better yet, trust your taste buds. Slather it on your salads, drizzle it on bowls, and get ready to fall in love.
More Oil-Free Salad Dressing Recipes
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Walnut Salad Dressing
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup raw walnuts soaked in hot water to soften
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup Simple Homemade Date Syrup
- ¼ cup water
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Soak walnuts in hot water for 5 minutes to soften.
- Add all ingredients into a mini bullet blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
Marla says
My favorite dressing. So creamy and delicious!
Gigi & Sersie says
Thanks Marla. We're so glad you enjoy this. Very healthy, easy and tasty. 🙂
melissa says
I love this salad dressing. So dang good.
Sarah says
LOVE!!!! ❤️ SO exciting to have a salad dressing made with a nut that has Omega 3s (I think I attempted my own walnut dressing in the past, and it didn’t go too well, LOL)!!
This is my new favorite dressing and is so delicious!! 🙌🏻
Instead of date paste, I just use a couple medjool dates (go easy—too many dates makes it too sweet).
I haven’t soaked the walnuts, and they always blend up great in my VitaMix.
After a while, you can just throw the ingredients in and “guess” at the proportions, as it’s pretty foolproof! I make a large batch at one time.
I LOVE this dressing served over a salad with diced apples. 🍎
Thank y’all so very much!!
Gigi & Sersie says
Yay! Thank you for the feedback, Sarah. We're so glad you love it. 🙂
María Payano says
Great 👍👍👍🙏🙏
Marie Nitz says
I just made this dressing for the first time today because someone forgot to buy ginger. Oh my gosh is this a wonderful addition to the collection. My taste buds are very happy indeed!
Gigi & Sersie says
Yay! So glad you gave it a try and enjoyed it. We love the omega 3s in the walnuts as well. 🙂
Judy says
Wow! This was so easy and very flavorful. I added it to a simple green salad and it really did make me want to eat more salad. Lol.
Marsha says
The walnut salad dressing is SO GOOD! Made it tonight for the first time and I already know it’s going to be one of my go-tos. So easy to make, and so flavorful. YES!
Gigi & Sersie says
Thank you for your feedback, Marsha. We're so glad you enjoyed it!