Wow your Thanksgiving guests this holiday season with this simple, flavorful DIY salad dressing, full of all the best fall flavors. While the Thanksgiving table is brimming over with the delicious, standard sides that we all know and love (#teamstuffing right here), a simple green salad may go unnoticed, or not even make an appearance at all. Encourage a little quality salad consumption with this bodacious vinaigrette as the star. With subtle hints of pumpkin, smoky sea salt, sweet maple, and the slightest hint of cinnamon, this vinaigrette is dressed to impress (ha, dressing humor. #sopunny).
These simple ingredients come together quickly and stress-free—just what you need when you’re pushing to get all the best Thanksgiving foods on the table in a timely manner. Letting the blender emulsify all the ingredients together makes it super easy, but you can also toss it all in a mason jar, shake, and go to salad town.
Bonus: this vinaigrette also makes a FABULOUS meat marinade!
Smoky Sweet Pumpkin Vinaigrette
Paleo; gluten free; refined sugar free
Makes approx. 8 oz
Ingredients:
- 2 Tbs organic pumpkin puree
- 2 Tbs pure maple syrup
- 1 Tbs organic Dijon mustard
- 2 tsp raw apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup avocado oil
- ½ tsp smoked sea salt*
- ¼- ½ tsp garlic powder, or 1/4 tsp fresh, grated
- 1 tsp dried sage, or 2 tsp fresh
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
*while the smoked sea salt adds a fantastic subtle smoky flavor, you can also use regular sea salt with equally fabulous results and flavor.
Directions:
Toss all ingredients into a blender or mason jar with a tight fitting lid. Blend or shake until fully incorporated. You can use this dressing immediately, but it tastes best after refrigerated for a couple of hours. This gives the flavors time to party and get all cozy and acquainted. Always shake before serving as the ingredients will settle and begin to separate after sitting.
Serve with your favorite salad! Pictured here are organic mixed greens, sliced pear, and pumpkin seeds. Keep it simple and wholesome and let this vinaigrette do the talking!
Be sure to take time this holiday and pause to be thankful for the many blessings around you. Enjoy your loved ones and friends, and have a safe, super tasty Thanksgiving!
In loving health,
Ashley
Note: I've included links to most of the ingredients used for ease. These are affiliate links, but I will never link to or advocate for any products that I don't 100% stand behind.
Extra note: For those of you thinking the the word "smoky" is spelled incorrectly here, I assure you, it is not. My highly grammatically correct brain thought the same, but "smoky" spelled this way pertains to an element of smoke/smokiness, whereas "smokey" actually means an officer or officers of a state highway patrol. Not what this dressing is all about. Public Service Announcement over.