Creamy Roasted Garlic Balsamic Dressing

This Creamy Roasted Garlic Balsamic Dressing is a flavorful and nutritious addition to any salad. With roasted garlic and cauliflower as the base, it’s a deliciously creamy, oil-free, plant-based dressing that’s easy to make and perfect for sticking to greens!

Why I Love This Recipe

Hey there, fabulous foodies! It’s Chef AJ, your Queen of Quick and Easy, here with another must-try recipe: Creamy Roasted Garlic Balsamic Dressing. When I’m not crafting oil-free, refined sugar-free, and salt-free dishes, I’m busy chatting with incredible plant-based experts for my YouTube show. With my busy schedule, I need recipes that are both healthy and simple to prepare. This dressing is packed with flavor, easy to whip up, and perfect for adding a creamy touch to your salads without any oil.

This dressing combines the rich, savory taste of roasted garlic with the tangy sweetness of balsamic vinegar, all balanced by the creaminess of cauliflower. The result is a thick, delicious dressing that enhances any salad. Plus, it’s low in calories, making it a guilt-free addition to your meals. And don’t worry—it doesn’t taste like cauliflower!

Key Ingredients

• Roasted Garlic Cloves: These add a deep, rich flavor to the dressing. Roasting the garlic mellows its sharpness and brings out a subtle sweetness. Garlic is known for its immune-boosting properties and contains antioxidants that can help protect against cell damage.
• Cauliflower Florets: Cauliflower provides a creamy base for the dressing without adding any oil. It’s also a great source of fiber, vitamins C and K, and antioxidants. This low-calorie vegetable helps to make the dressing thick and creamy while being incredibly nutritious.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Adds a tangy and slightly sweet flavor. Balsamic vinegar is rich in antioxidants and can help lower cholesterol levels and improve heart health. Using a good quality, reduced balsamic vinegar with 4% acidity, like California Balsamic, can elevate the taste. You can also experiment with different flavored balsamic vinegars for variety.
• Stone Ground Mustard: Adds a bit of tang and depth to the dressing. Mustard seeds are a good source of selenium and omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce inflammation and improve heart health. Westbrae’s salt-free version is a great option.
• Italian Seasoning (Optional): For an extra layer of flavor, you can add Italian seasoning. This blend of herbs can provide additional antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits.

The Process

Start by roasting the peeled garlic cloves. I prefer to air fry them at 370°F for 8-10 minutes until they are soft and slightly caramelized. Meanwhile, cook the cauliflower using your preferred method. I like to steam it in the microwave for about 6 minutes with a bit of water. Using defrosted frozen cauliflower works great too. Once cooked, drain and chill the cauliflower.

In a high-speed blender, combine the chilled, cooked cauliflower, roasted garlic, balsamic vinegar, water, stone ground mustard, and Italian seasoning if you’re using it. Blend everything until smooth and creamy. Transfer the dressing to a container and store it in the refrigerator.

How to Store Creamy Roasted Garlic Balsamic Dressing

Store the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Save your empty balsamic vinegar bottles—they’re perfect for storing homemade dressings and make lovely gifts!

Frequently Asked Questions

Serving Suggestion

This Creamy Roasted Garlic Balsamic Dressing is perfect for drizzling over your favorite salads. It’s also great as a dip for veggies or as a spread on sandwiches.

Summary

Creamy Roasted Garlic Balsamic Dressing is a flavorful, nutritious, and oil-free addition to your salads. Made with roasted garlic, cauliflower, and balsamic vinegar, it’s both healthy and delicious.

If you tried this recipe, I’d love to see your results! Share your culinary creation on social media and tag me. As the Queen of Quick and Easy, nothing makes me happier than seeing how my convenient plant-based recipes inspire your kitchen adventures. Let’s celebrate the love of cooking and enjoy the deliciousness together!

5 from 1 vote

Creamy Roasted Garlic Balsamic Dressing

This Creamy Roasted Garlic Balsamic Dressing is a flavorful and nutritious addition to any salad!

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Equipment

• Air fryer (optional)
• High-speed blender

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ ¼ cup roasted peeled garlic cloves
• ▢ 12 ounces cauliflower florets
• ▢ ½ cup balsamic vinegar
• ▢ ½ cup water
• ▢ 2 tbsp stone ground mustard
• ▢ 1-2 tbsp Italian seasoning, optional

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Instructions 

• Roast the peeled garlic cloves according to your preferred method. I air fry them at 370°F for 8-10 minutes.
• Cook the cauliflower using the method you prefer. I use a microwave steamer for 6 minutes with a bit of water. Drain and chill the cauliflower.
• Place the chilled, cooked cauliflower in a high-speed blender with the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. Store in the refrigerator.

Notes

• Cauliflower provides a low-calorie creamy base, perfect for a thick dressing that sticks to greens.
• Use a high-quality balsamic vinegar with 4% acidity for the best flavor. Experiment with different flavors of balsamic vinegar for variety.
• Westbrae makes a salt-free stone ground mustard that works perfectly in this recipe.
• For convenience, use defrosted frozen cauliflower and pre-peeled garlic cloves.
• Roasted garlic adds a mellow flavor, making it preferable to raw garlic.
• Save your empty balsamic vinegar bottles—they’re perfect for storing homemade dressings and make lovely gifts!

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