EDUCATION
7.5 minutes
Essential Takeaways
Discover a refreshing, homemade Manuka honey salad dressing for your summer salads.
This blog provides a guide to creating a variety of honey-infused dressings, highlights the health benefits of Manuka honey, and offers a simple summer salad recipe.
It also includes tips on the best ways to store dressings and where to buy high-quality Manuka honey.
Are you looking for a refreshing and wholesome summer salad recipe?
Look no further!
With a few simple tips, you'll soon find yourself creating mouthwatering honey salad dressings that are not only tasty but also a healthier alternative to store-bought options.
In this article, we will guide you through creating a delicious salad with a delectable manuka honey salad dressing.
We'll also explore the benefits of incorporating raw manuka honey into your diet for recipes like this.
In this manuka honey salad dressing recipe, you’ll find:
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Basic ingredients for your honey salad dressing
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Popular honey salad dressing options
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The benefits of using raw manuka honey
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A simple summar salad recipe
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Herbs and spices for extra flavour
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Storage and shelf life
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Where to get your raw manuka honey
Basic Ingredients
Let’s kick off with some of the key ingredients you’ll need for your honey salad dressing.
Types of honey
When making a honey salad dressing, the type of honey you choose can greatly impact the flavour of the dressing.
With its earthier flavour and superior health benefits, we’re sticking with pure, raw manuka honey from New Zealand for this recipe.
But you can check out other honey types here.
Oils
The oil you choose for your salad dressing can also affect the overall taste and texture. Some popular options include:
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Extra virgin olive oil: This is a classic choice for salad dressings, as it offers a rich, fruity flavour and a smooth texture. Plus, it's packed with healthy monounsaturated fats.
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Avocado oil: With a mild flavour and a high smoke point, avocado oil is another good option for salad dressings. It's also rich in healthy fats and antioxidants.
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Canola oil: For a more neutral taste, canola oil can be a good choice. It's also lower in saturated fat than most other oils.
Vinegars
The acidity in your honey salad dressing comes from vinegar, and the type of vinegar you use can greatly influence the taste. Some popular options include:
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Balsamic vinegar: Balsamic vinegar has a sweet, tangy flavour that pairs well with honey. It can add a rich, dark colour to your dressing.
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Apple cider vinegar: With a fruity and tangy taste, apple cider vinegar can add a unique flavour to your honey dressing. Plus, it's rich in enzymes and beneficial bacteria. Together with manuka honey, it’s wellness powerhouse!
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White wine vinegar: For a lighter, more delicate taste, white wine vinegar can be a good choice in your honey salad dressing.
Remember to taste your dressing as you make it, adjusting the proportions of honey, oil, and vinegar to suit your personal preferences.
With the right balance of these ingredients, you'll have a delicious, homemade honey salad dressing to elevate your next salad.
Popular Honey Salad Dressing Recipes
A homemade salad dressing is a delightful addition to your meals, adding a touch of natural sweetness to your favourite salads.
With endless possibilities for flavour combinations, the following homemade dressings with honey will make your taste buds sing!
Honey mustard dressing
Honey mustard dressing, a perfect blend of sweet and tangy flavours, has become a popular choice in many households.
To create this delicious dressing, whisk together mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil.
Feel free to adjust the sweetness to your taste and try using different mustard varieties for diversity.
Honey balsamic vinaigrette recipe
The rich flavour profile of balsamic vinegar pairs beautifully with the sweetness of honey.
Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, and dijon mustard for a delightful honey balsamic dressing.
You can also add minced shallots or garlic to bring an extra depth of flavour.
Honey and lemon juice dressing
For a light, zesty dressing that's perfect for summer salads, combine the bright taste of lemon juice with honey.
Combine fresh lemon juice, honey, extra virgin olive oil, and a bit of minced garlic to create a wonderfully refreshing honey lemon dressing.
Optionally, you can add fresh herbs, such as basil or thyme, for a unique twist.
Enjoy experimenting in your kitchen and discovering new delicious honey-infused salad dressings!
The Benefits of a Raw Manuka Honey Salad Dressing
Manuka honey is a unique type of honey that comes from New Zealand and has gained popularity due to its exceptional health benefits.
Here's why you should consider incorporating manuka honey into your salad dressings and other raw recipes:
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Nutritional powerhouse: Manuka honey is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, providing a natural boost to your overall health.
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Antibacterial properties: Manuka honey contains a unique antibacterial component called methylglyoxal (MGO), which may help combat harmful bacteria and support a healthy immune system.
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Digestive health: Consuming manuka honey can promote digestive health and soothe digestive discomfort due to its potential prebiotic properties.
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Natural sweetness: The distinct taste of manuka honey adds a delightful sweetness to your recipes while providing a healthier alternative to refined sugar.
So go ahead, indulge in a scrumptious and nourishing salad topped with a raw Manuka honey dressing. Your body and taste buds will thank you for it!
Simple Summer Salad Recipe with Manuka Honey Dressing
Looking for a light, fresh, and flavourful salad to enjoy this summer?
This simple summer salad recipe featuring honey vinaigrette will fill you up without weighing you down. So let's get started on your new go-to salad for those warm days.
First, gather up your salad ingredients. Feel free to use your favourite salad greens, but a mix of baby spinach, arugula, and romaine lettuce adds a delightful variety of textures and flavours.
Add onto your greens a combination of chopped cucumber, sliced cherry tomatoes, ripe avocado, and crumbled feta cheese.
Next, it's time to prepare your honey vinaigrette dressing.
In a small bowl, whisk together:
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1 cup of canola oil
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1/4 cup of white balsamic vinegar
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2 tablespoons of honey
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2 tablespoons of minced red onion or shallot
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A pinch of salt and black pepper
Now that your dressing is ready, give your salad one final touch with a handful of fresh herbs. Basil, parsley, and dill work well in this salad and give it a fresh summery taste.
Toss the greens, vegetables, and herbs together in a large bowl, then drizzle your honey vinaigrette over the top.
Feel free to get creative with this simple summer salad by adding in seasonal fruits like strawberries or blueberries for a deliciously sweet contrast.
Additionally, you can add some protein like grilled chicken, prawns, or tofu to make it a complete meal.
So go ahead and enjoy your refreshing and healthy simple summer salad topped with a delicious honey vinaigrette dressing. The perfect meal to keep you satisfied and energised on warm, sunny days.
Plus: why not create delicious manuka honey cocktails or mocktails to enjoy with your salad?
Herbs and Spices for Added Flavour
Exploring the world of herbs and spices can take your honey salad dressing to new heights.
With various combinations and flavours, you can customise your dressing to suit your taste buds and bring out the best in your salads.
A classic addition to honey-based dressings is freshly squeezed lemon juice, as it balances and enhances the natural sweetness of the honey. You can also try adding grated lemon zest for an extra burst of flavour.
When it comes to herbs, one of the best partners for honey is freshly chopped thyme leaves.
The earthy taste of thyme complements the sweetness of the honey, creating a rich and flavourful dressing. You could also experiment with other herbs such as oregano, basil, or even cilantro for a more unique flavour profile.
Some dressings call for a bit of heat and spiciness. In this case, Thai red peppers or chilli flakes can be added to the mix. Just remember to start with a small amount and adjust according to your taste preference.
Now that you have an idea of the plethora of herbs and spices you can incorporate into your honey salad dressing, it's time to get creative in the kitchen.
Interested in more ways to use manuka honey? You can find over 170 ideas here!
Storage and Shelf Life
When it comes to storing your honey salad dressing, it's important to keep it in a cool, dark place, like a fridge or pantry. Make sure the bottle or jar is tightly sealed to prevent any contamination or spoilage.
With proper storage and care, you can enjoy fresh and delicious honey salad dressing for weeks or months, depending on the ingredients used.
Get Your Raw Manuka Honey from New Zealand Honey Co.
By incorporating raw manuka honey into your recipes, you're not only enhancing the taste but also reaping the numerous health benefits this extraordinary honey offers.
Our raw manuka honey is tested to the highest standards and graded using the UMF™ system, the most rigorous available.
Only pure, raw, fresh, monofloral manuka honeys produced and packaged in New Zealand are UMF™ graded. So you know you’re getting the best.
We only deal with real.
Unsure which grade is right for you?
Your wellness journey starts with a spoonful a day.
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