Pickled Strawberry Vinaigrette

In keeping with our June theme of Strawberry Month, here’s a way to help you make the most of the pickled strawberries I share a couple of days ago: Pickled Strawberry Vinaigrette. This is also a great way to reduce food waste: instead of throwing away that pickling brine, you can put it to good use.

Pickled Strawberry Vinaigrette | © UrbanCottageLife.com

Pickled Strawberry Vinaigrette

Having discovered the delight of pickled strawberries recently, I didn’t want to let their intense strawberry-red brine with its punch of flavour go to waste. As I discovered, it’s a fantastic base for a simple vinaigrette.

Really, it doesn’t get much easier than this. Because a pickling brine is already salted and, in this case, generously peppered, I didn’t feel the need to add any additional seasoning to the vinaigrette. It was a matter of two parts extra virgin olive oil to one part strawberry-infused brine, with just enough honey to achieve a balance of flavours.

I’m pleased to say this recipe is a great way to showcase local produce. I had purchased the strawberries at the Joyce Farm Markets stand in my part of town, picked earlier that day at their farm in Bothwell. And the honey is also a local product, from Munro Honey in Alvinston, not far from where I grew up.

There was something about the aroma and flavour of this vinaigrette that reminded me of candied apples each time I tasted it while adjusting the amount of honey. I know that sounds odd, but there you have it — a little culinary intrigue and truly a unique vinaigrette that celebrates local produce!

Pickled Strawberry Vinaigrette | © UrbanCottageLife.com

You Won’t Believe How Easy It Is To Make this Vinaigrette!

Pickled Strawberry Vinaigrette
Prep Time
5 mins
 

This recipe makes good use of the Pickled Peppered Strawberries brine and yields about six tablespoons of vinaigrette. Since I like my salads lightly dressed, this is enough for three or four salads for me. Use the best quality extra virgin olive oil you have for this dressing; the one I use is bright and fresh in aroma and flavour.

Servings: 6 tablespoons
Author: © Marlene Cornelis/UrbanCottageLife.com 2016–2020
Ingredients
  • 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp Pickled Peppered Strawberries brine
  • 1 tsp honey
How To Make This Recipe
  1. Just pop all the ingredients into a jar and either whisk it with a fork or put on the lid and shake vigorously (that counts for exercise around here), and voila — vinaigrette!
  2. I would keep this only a few days in the fridge, perhaps less if your pickled strawberries are nearing the end of their up-to-two-weeks storage period. It will separate when chilled; just shake it up again for your next salad.

Looking for Other Dressings for Your Salads?

I don’t remember the last time I purchased a pre-made salad dressing. I usually just mix them up in a small bowl with a fork as a whisk just as I need them, tasting as I go and without a recipe. However, sometimes it’s good to have a recipe for guidance. Here are a few I think you’ll enjoy. This Classic Vinaigrette includes a tutorial on making a vinaigrette. Basil Honey Vinaigrette is my homage to a dressing I had in a restaurant, and is one of my favourites. And Orange Poppyseed Dressing can make a salad with strawberries sing. (Hmm, I need to get a photo of that on its own sometime!)

First Published 2016 07 08
Republished 2020 06 10

9 comments

    • Well, you could drink it … I mixed some into simple syrup to make a gimlet and it was a good start but my recipe needs some tinkering. Sure, sure, I need to do lots of “taste testing” on this one, lol.

    • I know what you mean … if I only had one basket of strawberries, I definitely wouldn’t pickle them. But when there are lots available, this is a fun recipe to try. Thank you for dropping by and leaving a comment.

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