It takes less than five minutes to remix your leftover cranberry sauce into a creamy cranberry salad dressing that will make everyone gladly eat their veggies! Let me show you how simple--and tasty--it is.
And if you enjoy this recipe, you'll love my blood orange vinaigrette, too!
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❤️ Why You'll Love this Recipe
Quick and Easy - You only need a few minutes and a blender or food processor to throw this cranberry dressing for salad together. And we're using everyday ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen!
Seasonal Flavor - This dressing is bright, a little peppery, and just lightly sweet from the cranberry sauce. You'll taste autumn citrus, tart cranberries, and a hint of apple.
👉🏾 We don't let leftovers go to waste around here. Check out my puff pastry turkey pot pie, roasted squash seeds recipe, and sweet potato muffins next!
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What You'll Need for this Recipe
Cranberry Sauce, of course! You can use whatever you have lying around from your holiday dinner, whether it's the jellied kind in the can or homemade cranberry sauce with whole berries.
Apple Cider Vinegar adds sharpness to balance out the other ingredients, and a subtle fruitiness that mixes well with the cranberry and OJ.
Dijon Mustard is my preference here, but you can use any kind you like, including yellow mustard for a more mellow flavor, spicy Creole mustard, or even whole grain mustard if you like it chunkier.
Check out the recipe card below for full ingredients list, measurements, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions!
Substitutions & Variations
Vinegar - If you don't have ACV, most any other vinegar will work, including distilled white vinegar. Just note that strong flavors like balsamic will significantly change the flavor of this dressing.
Spices - I keep it simple with salt and pepper here, but a pinch of nutmeg would be great, too. You can experiment however you want!
Sweetener - Want your dressing sweeter? Feel free to add a touch of maple syrup, honey, or even a zero-sugar option of your choice.
How to Make Leftover Cranberry Sauce Salad Dressing
- Step 1: Add all the ingredients to a blender or food processor.
- Step 2: Pulse until the mixture is smooth and emulsified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Store any extra salad dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to two weeks this way.
How to Serve
Temperature: This dressing is ready to use immediately, but you can chill it first if you prefer. It tastes just as great cold as it does at room temperature, but it will get a little thicker in the fridge.
Pairings: You can dress up any ol' everyday salad or use it on my famous massaged kale salad with pear and pecan, blood orange winter salad, or autumn harvest kale salad!
More Favorite Cranberry Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
I hope you'll enjoy this easy cranberry vinaigrette dressing recipe soon and very soon. And sharing is caring, so be sure to pin this recipe to use leftover cranberry sauce for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
📖 Recipe
Creamy Cranberry Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
Equipment
- 1 Blender or food processor
Ingredients
- 1 cup cranberry sauce jellied, whole berry, or homemade
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon sea salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to the carafe of a blender or food processor.1 cup cranberry sauce, ½ cup olive oil, ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, ¼ cup orange juice, 2 tablespoons dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon sea salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Pulse until mixture is a smooth, uniform color and completely emulsified (about one full minute).
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