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Store-bought bottled salad dressing doesn’t stand a chance! The most flavorful sweet, tangy, and spicy pepper jelly vinaigrette is ready with just 5 ingredients and less than 5 minutes of prep. It’s an easy way to transform your weeknight salad.
Table of Contents
Looking for more homemade salad dressing recipes? Try this buttermilk dressing, a green goddess dressing, this honey lemon fruit salad dressing, a fall-inspired maple balsamic dressing, this fresh lemon vinaigrette, and this old-fashioned poppy seed dressing.
This is delicious! Will be making again and again. Livens up a green salad! Yum! Thank you!
– Jane
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Easy. No immersion blender necessary! Just shake or whisk together 5 simple ingredients and your pepper jelly vinaigrette recipe is done.
- Fast. The entire process takes less than 5 minutes from start to finish, which means you can whip up a homemade dressing any night of the week.
- Flavorful. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and zesty — but not too spicy. Even my Ranch-loving husband thinks this one is amazing!
Ingredients
This is just a quick overview of the ingredients that you’ll need for the best pepper jelly vinaigrette recipe. As always, specific measurements and step-by-step instructions are included in the printable recipe box at the bottom of the post.
- Pepper jelly or pepper jam: Pepper jelly is a favorite Southern preserve, which typically includes peppers, sugar, vinegar, and pectin. Pepper jelly can be made with a variety of peppers, including jalapeños, habaneros, bell peppers, or a combination. Some versions are spicy, while others are not. My neighbor makes a homemade hot pepper jam that I love, so that’s typically what I use when it’s available. Store-bought brands such as Braswell’s (mild) and Tabasco (spicy) are great, too!
- Apple cider vinegar: for bright, acidic tang.
- Extra-virgin olive oil: the base of the dressing. Feel free to sub with canola oil or vegetable oil if you prefer.
- Dijon mustard: adds even more tangy “zip,” and also helps to emulsify the dressing.
- Kosher salt: enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
Directions
It’s tough to beat a simple homemade pepper jelly vinaigrette that’s ready to enjoy in about 5 minutes! You’ll find detailed directions in the recipe card below, but here’s the quick version:
- Place all of the ingredients in a jar or bowl.
- Shake or whisk to combine.
- Enjoy immediately or store in the fridge.
Would not have tried this recipe had a friend not recommended it. So glad she did because it is delicious! It’s tangy and not heavy like my usual picks which are creamy dressings
– Kathy
Serving Suggestions
A drizzle of this red pepper jelly vinaigrette recipe elevates a simple green salad or spinach salads into something special. Of course, you can add other ingredients to the salad — such as shaved Parmesan, feta cheese, red onion, avocado, cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, olives, croutons, bacon, chopped pecans, golden raisins, or onions — but you really don’t need more than some crisp, cool, chopped lettuce.
Preparation and Storage Tips
- Store the vinaigrette in a jar or other container with a tight lid so that it’s easy to shake up when you need to use it again. The ingredients will naturally separate as it sits.
- The pepper jelly vinaigrette will last in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- If the olive oil becomes clumpy when chilled in the fridge, just let the jar sit on the counter at room temperature for a little while. As the oil warms up it will be smooth again, and you can shake or whisk the dressing just before serving.
More Uses for Pepper Jelly
If you have extra pepper jelly in your fridge, here are some more ways to take advantage of the delicious condiment:
- Make a cream cheese and pepper jelly spread for a delicious appetizer or snack with crackers or veggies.
- Use it as a glaze for our “sweet heat” Southern glazed salmon recipe or for grilled or roasted meats such as chicken and pork.
- Serve it alongside cheese boards or charcuterie platters for a tasty pairing.
- Use it as a condiment for sandwiches, burgers, or wraps to add a burst of flavor.
- Stir it into sauces or salsas to add depth and complexity to your dishes.
- Combine it with mayonnaise or yogurt to make a spicy dipping sauce for vegetables or chicken tenders.
- Add it to stir-fries or sautés for a sweet and spicy twist.
Helpful Tips
- Look for red pepper jelly for a mild flavor or try a hot pepper jelly if you like a spicy taste.
- Taste the vinaigrette before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed. It might need a little bit more salt or some ground black pepper. You might also want to add dried herbs or chopped fresh herbs, minced shallots, garlic or garlic powder, or cayenne or red pepper flakes (to make it even spicier).
- Scale this recipe to make more or less. For instance, if you just want enough for one salad, you can cut all of the ingredients in half. Alternatively, you can prepare a larger batch by doubling the ingredients and keep the extra dressing in your fridge to enjoy all week.
- If you have leftover vinaigrette, use the pepper jelly dressing as a marinade or glaze for grilled chicken or grilled shrimp. It creates a sweet and spicy char!
I x4 the recipe. Added an additional 1/2 cup Tabasco Pepper Jelly. Also, substituted with Red Wine Vinegar. Mixed in blender and it doesn’t separate in refrigerator. Best vinaigrette dressing.
– Linda
More Salad Dressing Recipes to Try
Balsamic Vinaigrette
5 minutes mins
Creamy Caesar Dressing
5 minutes mins
Dijon Vinaigrette
5 minutes mins
Pepper Jelly Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- ¼ cup hot pepper jelly or hot pepper jam
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid or in a medium bowl.
- Vigorously shake or whisk until completely combined.
- Serve immediately on a salad, or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. The ingredients will separate as the dressing sits, so shake or whisk again before using.
Notes
- Look for red pepper jelly for a mild flavor or try a hot pepper jelly if you like a spicy taste.
- Taste the vinaigrette before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed. It might need a little bit more salt or some ground black pepper. You might also want to add dried herbs or chopped fresh herbs, minced shallots, garlic or garlic powder, or cayenne or red pepper flakes (to make it even spicier).
- Scale this recipe to make more or less. For instance, if you just want enough for one salad, you can cut all of the ingredients in half. Alternatively, you can prepare a larger batch by doubling the ingredients and keep the extra dressing in your fridge to enjoy all week.
- If you have leftover vinaigrette, use the pepper jelly dressing as a marinade or glaze for grilled chicken or grilled shrimp. It creates a sweet and spicy char!
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published in June, 2020. It was updated in May, 2024.
Rather ‘too tangy’ for our taste. I added additional jelly to see if it will make a difference.
This is delicious! Will be making again and again. Livens up a green salad! Yum! Thank you!
Thank you, Jane!
Would not have tried this recipe had a friend not recommended it. So glad she did because it is delicious! It’s tangy and not heavy like my usual picks which are creamy dressings
Thank you, Kathy! We’re so glad you tried it out and enjoyed it.
I x4 the recipe. Added an additional 1/2 cup Tabasco Pepper Jelly. Also, substituted with Red Wine Vinegar. Mixed in blender and it doesn’t separate in refrigerator. Best vinaigrette dressing.
Hi, Linda! I’m so glad that you like the dressing! Those are great tips.
This is amazing!!! Thank you Blair!!!
You’re very welcome, Eileen. We’re so glad you enjoyed it!