This oil-free naturally sweet and tangy salad dressing pours smooth and evenly on your favorite salad!
There are five ingredients in this Apple Hemp Heart Vinaigrette and it only takes five minutes to prepare. I should call this the 5 minute wonder! It contains zero oil, zero added sugar, and zero added salt. And yet it packs a ton of flavor and pourability. Yeah, that might be a new word, but now you know what I mean. It’s nice and thick – just like salad dressing should be.
I like using balsamic vinegar in this salad dressing because it’s a bold and complex vinegar made from unfermented grape juice and possesses many health benefits. Not surprising, it lowers and maintains cholesterol levels due to powerful antioxidants that remove harmful toxins in our bodies. It also contains healthy strains of probiotic bacteria that aid in digestion, improve gut health, strengthen immunity, and improve satiety. (Healthline)
Plus, vinegar generally helps with balancing insulin for up to five hours after consumption. And finally, grapes contain polyphenols which improve blood circulation in our bodies and help prevent cardiac diseases. Of course you can use any type of vinegar, including apple cider vinegar. (Healthline)
Since there is no oil in this, I’m super excited to report that the viscosity of this salad dressing comes from hemp hearts and apple sauce. Of course you can always add a little more water or plant milk if you prefer your dressing thinner. Plus, the apple sauce adds a slight hint of natural sweetness that pairs well with the acidity of the balsamic vinegar.
I love using hemp hearts in dressings, sauces, and smoothies. If you haven’t had them before, you’re in for a real treat. Hemp hearts are slightly nutty and mild in flavor, and they have an incredible texture. But their nutritional composition is where they shine, which consists of 25% high-quality protein and over 30% fat. They contain essential fatty acids like linoleic acid (omega-6), alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3), and gamma-linolenic acid; and are a great source of Vitamin E, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, sulfur, calcium, iron and zinc. (Healthline)
This Apple Hemp Heart Vinaigrette also features the heart-healthy apple. Ever heard that adage that an apple a day keeps the doctor away? It reiterates the whole food plant-based concept. Just one medium apple contains four grams of soluble fiber, which helps to lower cholesterol. In addition, apples contains lots of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin C, potassium, Vitamin K, and polyphenols, which work much like antioxidants. Apples are also believed to lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and can lower blood pressure. (Healthline)
I like using organic unsweetened apple sauce, that I typically purchase from Costco or Aldi. It makes eating this way super economical and easy. But you can absolutely use a whole cored apple – just add all of the ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Combine all of these incredibly healthy benefits and attributes, and you simply need to pour this Apple Hemp Heart Vinaigrette on top of your next salad!
I hope you enjoy this Apple Hemp Heart Vinaigrette as much as I do.
I’m just starting out and would love to see your results. Please leave a comment and rate it down below, tag a picture @pebblesandtoast and #pebblesandtoast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!
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Ingredients
- ½ cup applesauce
- 3-4 Tbsp balsamic vinegar*
- ¼ cup water or plant milk
- ¼ cup hemp hearts
- 1 Tbsp dijon mustard
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients and blend with an immersion blender or in a blender and blend until smooth and pourable. You may need to add a little more water to get it to the right consistency.
- Adjust seasonings to your taste preference.
- Pour into a salad jar or mason jar.
Notes
* I used white balsamic wine vinegar because I have it in my pantry and it paired well with this salad dressing. Any vinegar, including apple cider vinegar, can be used.
Apple Hemp Heart Vinaigrette
Equipment
- immersion blender or blender
Ingredients
- ½ cup applesauce
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar*
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup hemp hearts
- 1 Tbsp dijon mustard
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients and blend with an immersion blender or in a blender and blend until smooth and pourable. You may need to add a little more water to get it to the right consistency.
- Adjust seasonings to your taste preference.
- Pour into a salad jar or mason jar.