Name: Sweet-Hot Cajun Vinaigrette
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients: 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil; 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar; 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon Creole mustard; 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon pure can syrup; 1 teaspoon hot sauce, or more; 1 large or 2 small garlic pods, pressed; 1/4 teaspoon salt

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A Sweet-Hot Cajun Vinaigrette fully flavored and made with Creole mustard, cane syrup, and hot sauce is great for fresh salads, grilled greens, marinades, and more.

Dressing poured onto a fruit salad with a bowl of chicken salad and a plate of grilled greens and mushrooms.

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How Do You Make A Basic Vinaigrette
Tasty ingredients
Making The Sweet-Hot Cajun Vinaigrette
Amazing Uses For Vinaigrette
More salad recipes
The recipe
Sweet-Hot Cajun Vinaigrette

How Do You Make A Basic Vinaigrette

A vinaigrette is a dressing made with oil, vinegar, and seasonings. Simple as that! And it doesn't take a special talent or appliance to put it together, either. Just a jar with a tight lid and a good back-and-forth twist of the wrist to combine it all. So there's never an excuse to be without a good homemade dressing as long as you have these ingredients and a good grip on hand!

Tasty ingredients

Ingredients for Sweet-Hot Cajun Vinaigrette.

extra virgin olive oil - a healthy fat with monosaturated fats and antioxidants
balsamic vinegar - for added sweetness and milder acid taste
Creole Mustard - a pungent flavor that helps hold the dressing together since oil and vinegar don't mix.
pure cane syrup - I grew up eating Steen's Pure Cane Syrup
hot sauce - Tabasco Sauce is my fave!
garlic - pass the garlic through a garlic press which is quicker than mincing with a knife
salt - to accent the sweetness

Of course, you can use your favorite brands for these ingredients, but I recommend these high-quality ones I've experienced throughout my life.

Ingredient amounts are listed in the recipe card below.

Making The Sweet-Hot Cajun Vinaigrette

Making a vinaigrette is a frequent occurrence in my kitchen. The basic recipe is about one part acid, like citrus juice or vinegar, 3 parts oil, and the seasoning of choice. You'll find similar vinaigrette recipes in this Mardi Gras Salad With Asparagus recipe and this Avocado Salad With Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette. Both are oh-so-good!

This Sweet-Hot Cajun Vinaigrette is a recent creation of mine and of course I put a spin on it using my favorite flavors from home.

It's very simple. All you do is place all ingredients into a pint or half-pint glass jar with a screw-top lid. Screw it on tightly and shake the jar vigorously until all ingredients mix well. It's ready to use or to store in the refrigerator for later.

A plate of grilled greens and mushrooms with a dressing on a plank board.

The pungent flavor of the Creole Mustard is so good, especially for us mustard lovers! If you haven't ever tried it before or can't find it locally, you can order it here. (You may substitute with a Dijon or spicy mustard, but only if necessary.)

Amazing Uses For Vinaigrette

There are so many ways the flavors of a good vinaigrette can be appreciated that I just had to list some for you.

Fresh vegetabel salad, of course! Especially one with meat and cheese.
Substitute for mayonnaise in potato salad, German style.
In a ham and cheese sandwich with lots of veggies.
Fruit salad. Fruit salad? Yes, toss it with fruit for a complimentary tangy taste!
Dress grilled greens, a new thing I've been grilling.
As a steak sauce. (That's what those bottled steak sauces are, all acidy and seasoned.)
Marinade for meats and vegetables.
Tossed with hot or cold pasta with meat and/or vegetables or all by its lonesome.
Drizzled over hummus.
A dip for veggies.

And much, much more! So make some and discover ways of your own.

More salad recipes

The recipe