A dressing can really make or break a salad and this Tomato Vinaigrette definitely makes a salad. It's light, fresh and low in calories, but best of all it is still full of flavour. Blend together some fresh tomatoes, basil, garlic and balsamic and you have yourself a salad dressing that is ready in minutes.
Tomato Vinaigrette
There are SO many salad dressings on the market now, it can be easy to just pick some up at the supermarket. But, they are usually loaded with salt and sugar and can turn a salad from a light meal or side to a calorie packed one. It's so easy to make a healthy and low calorie salad dressing at home, in just a few minutes, and this Tomato Vinaigrette is one of our favourites.
What makes it so low in calories is that it is oil free. The liquid comes from the juice of the tomatoes, some water and balsamic. If you wanted a thicker dressing, then you could add some oil to it but it really isn't lacking in flavour because of it.
Because this uses raw tomatoes and there is no cooking involved, you want to use the freshest and ripest tomatoes that you can find. This recipe is best made in the late summer months when tomatoes are at their best.
Why should you try it?
✔ Oil free
✔ Just 27 calories a serving
✔ Low in fat
✔ A great way to use up ripe summer tomatoes.
✔ No cooking needed
What To Serve This Dressing With
We think it's great with just a simple green salad, but there are lots of other uses for it too. You can mix it in to some Greek yoghurt or creme fraiche and then use it as a dip. It's great for dipping chicken in to. We also like dipping some chunky bread in it, which makes it great for putting on the table at a dinner party whilst your guests are waiting for the main meal.
How Long Does This Dressing Last For?
This dressing will last for about 3 days in the fridge. If you can't use it all in that time, you could always reduce the quantities and make less of it. Or, use it in other recipes like above, or even drizzled on some cooked white fish.
Extra Tips:
- Don't throw the pulp away that is left after making the dressing. You can add this to pasta sauces.
- If you want a thicker dressing, you could replace some of the water with oil.
- Mix some of this dressing in to Greek yoghurt or creme fraiche and use it as a dip.
- We just added basil, but this dressing would be a great way to reduce waste and add any leafy herbs that you have in your fridge that need using.
- You could always add a pinch of red chilli flakes to give this dressing a spicy kick.
How To Make Tomato Vinaigrette - Step by Step:
One: Put all of the ingredients in the blender.
Two: Blend until smooth.
Three: Put a fine sieve over a bowl and pour in the mixture.
Four: Mash down the mixture in a sieve, letting the dressing pour through to the bowl until you are just left with pulp. Don't throw the pulp away, as it can be added to pasta sauce.
Want to try some other sauce and dressing recipes? How about these:
Healthy Ranch Dressing
Creamy Italian Salad Dressing
Honey and Mustard Salad Dressing
Salsa Picante
Maple Balsamic Dressing
Healthy BBQ Sauce
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If you’ve tried this Tomato Vinaigrette or any other recipe on the blog then let us know how you got on in the comments below, we love hearing from you!
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DON’T FORGET TO RATE THE RECIPE ↓
Tomato Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 700 g ripe tomatoes
- 1 lemon (juice only)
- 3 garlic cloves chopped
- 1 red pepper de-seeded
- 10 g fresh basil
- 100 ml water
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 4 sun dried tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato puree
- 1 pinch sea salt and pepper
Instructions
- Put all of the ingredients in the blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Put a fine sieve over a bowl and pour in the mixture.
- Mash down the mixture in a sieve, letting the dressing pour through to the bowl until you are just left with pulp.
Notes
- Don't throw the pulp away that is left after making the dressing. You can add this to pasta sauces.
- If you want a thicker dressing, you could replace some of the water with oil.
- Mix some of this dressing in to Greek yoghurt or creme fraiche and use it as a dip.
- We just added basil, but this dressing would be a great way to reduce waste and add any leafy herbs that you have in your fridge that need using.
- You could always add a pinch of red chilli flakes to give this dressing a spicy kick.
Nutritional Information
Christina H
Do you think that this would taste as good without including the balsamic, or do you have an idea for a substitution? I have sensory processing issues and for some reason balsamic really really sets things off for me in a bad way :'(. Thanks in advance for some insight!
Dannii
You could swap it for apple cider vinegar, or just leave it out.
Christina H
Thank you so much for your quick response, I appreciate it!
Mackenzie
I know this is an odd question, but could this be frozen?
Dannii
No, I wouldn't have thought so. When defrosted, it would probably be a weird texture. You could always try it with a small portion and see what happenes.
Stephanie
I'm always on the lookout for homemade salad dressings. Love the sound of this tomato vinaigrette and will be using it on my next salad.