Today we’re indulging in vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with our Caper and Garlic Salad Dressing. Bursting with bold savory notes and zesty essences, this dressing is a delightful addition to any salad. It also works great as a dip with things like pitas, crostini, or crusty Italian bread. It’s also delicious drizzled over charcuterie.
The dressing is a delightful mix of roasted garlic, briny capers, and tangy apple cider vinegar. The addition of honey adds a touch of sweetness, balancing out the savory and acidic elements, and creating a deliciously balanced vinaigrette.
Inspired by the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean, this dressing brings a taste of Hellenic cuisine right to your table. Whether drizzled over crisp greens, tossed with grilled vegetables, or used as a marinade for chicken or fish, this delicious dressing is a super simple way to elevate almost any dish with a little Mediterranean flair.
However, what sets this recipe apart is just how simple it is to make. With just a handful of pantry-friendly ingredients and a quick whirl in the food processor, you can whip up this delicious vinaigrette in no time. That makes it perfect for quick salads on busy weeknights.
So, with further delay, grab your apron, and let’s get to it.
Recipe Overview – What to Expect
- Overview: This recipe creates a flavorful Caper and Garlic Dressing, perfect for adding a burst of Mediterranean-inspired taste to your salads and dishes. It works great as a dip, a dressing for salads, or a marinade.
- Taste and Texture: In terms of taste, this dressing offers a blend of bold and savory flavors, with the brininess of capers, the rich aroma of grilled garlic, the tanginess of apple cider vinegar, and a touch of sweetness courtesy of the honey. The addition of grated Parmesan or Romano cheese adds a layer of depth and umami richness. Texture-wise, the dressing is thick and slightly creamy, but also a tad coarse, with small bits of capers and garlic dispersed throughout, providing a delightful contrast to the smoothness of the olive oil.
- Salad Pairings: This versatile dressing pairs exceptionally well with a variety of salads, especially those featuring robust greens like arugula or kale, as well as salads with ingredients like roasted vegetables, grilled meats, or seafood. It would also pair deliciously drizzled over a simple caprese salad.
- Storage: This dressing should keep well for about 1 to 2 weeks when stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Over time, the flavors may continue to meld and intensify, enhancing the taste of the dressing even further. However, it's essential to check for any signs of spoilage, such as changes in color, odor, or texture, before using it. If you notice any unusual changes, it's best to discard the dressing to ensure food safety.
- Difficulty Level: While this dressing may seem sophisticated, its preparation is relatively simple, making it accessible even for beginner home chefs.
Ingredient Checklist – Everything You’ll Need
- 2 tablespoons capers (not drained)
- Note: Use capers packed in brine for the best flavor.
- Substitution: If you prefer, a few anchovy fillets can be substituted in place of the capers.
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- Note: I strongly recommend a quality extra virgin olive oil, as this is the base of the dressing.
- Substitution: If preferred, you can use avocado oil or grapeseed oil as alternatives.
- 4 large cloves of garlic, grilled
- Note: Grilling the garlic adds a smoky flavor to the dressing.
- Tip: Use a dry cast iron pan for grilling the garlic cloves.
- 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- Note: Apple cider vinegar provides a tangy acidity to balance the flavors.
- Substitution: You can use red wine vinegar or white wine vinegar as alternatives.
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan or Romano cheese, grated
- Note: The cheese adds a savory umami flavor to the dressing.
- Substitution: You can use Pecorino Romano cheese as an alternative to Parmesan.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Note: Adjust the amount of salt based on your preference.
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse black pepper
- Note: Coarse black pepper adds a bold, peppery flavor and texture to the dressing.
- Tip: As always, I do recommend grinding it fresh, or even crushing it in a mortar and pestle to maximize its aroma.
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Note: Honey balances the acidity and adds a touch of sweetness to the dressing.
- Tip: Since the honey is being consumed raw, this is a perfect recipe to use your favorite gourmet honey.
- Substitution: If preferred, you can use maple syrup or agave nectar as alternatives for sweetness.
Salad Pairings
- Mediterranean Salad: Salads featuring ingredients such as romaine lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, red onions, Kalamata olives, and feta cheese would complement the savory and tangy notes of today’s dressing. Other ingredients such as fresh mozzarella, basil, and oregano are also excellent pairing notes for this dressing.
- Grilled Vegetable Salad: Grilled vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, and onions, served over mixed greens, would be delicious with this dressing. The smokiness of the grilled vegetables would complement the charred garlic flavor in the dressing.
- Arugula Salad: Peppery arugula leaves paired with sliced strawberries, toasted almonds, and goat cheese would create a vibrant salad. The sweet and tangy notes of the dressing would provide a delightful contrast to the peppery arugula and juicy strawberries.
- Kale Salad: Kale leaves combined with roasted butternut squash, dried cranberries, and pumpkin seeds would make a hearty salad pairing.
- Quinoa Salad: A simple quinoa salad with roasted vegetables, chickpeas, avocado, and feta cheese would create a satisfying pairing. The dressing's tanginess would add brightness to the nutty quinoa and creamy avocado.
Caper and Garlic Salad Dressing
- Total Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 tbs. capers, not drained
- 6 tbs. olive oil
- 4 large cloves of garlic, grilled
- 4 tbs. apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbs. of Parmesan or Romano cheese, grated
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. coarse black pepper
- 2 tbs. honey
Instructions
- Place the garlic cloves in the skin in a small, dry, cast iron frying pan. Allow the garlic cloves to become a bit charred. Let the garlic cool and then pop out of the skin.
- Combine all of the ingredients for the dressing in a food processor and process. The mixture will remain a bit coarse.
- Prepare a salad to serve with the dressing.
- Serve with flatbreads.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
And that’s our Caper and Garlic Dressing. If you enjoyed today’s recipe, or have any questions or suggestions, be sure to let us know in the comments below. We always love hearing from you.
Happy Cooking!
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Beth says
I served this over a kale salad with chicken, and it was so good! This is one of my new favorites!
Stephanie says
There's not much better with a salad than homemade dressing. This recipe with capers and garlics is a must-try!
Yeah Lifestyle says
I can see how this salad dressing really would pack a punch with the garlic and the capers together. I am hoping to make a batch of this later on today to try out.
Ambra says
This Caper and Garlic Salad Dressing sounds absolutely delicious! I can't wait to try it on my next salad. Thanks for sharing the recipe! 😃
marie Cris Angeles says
This Caper and Garlic Salad Dressing looks good. Looks like my family and I will love this, will try this recipe.
Karen says
I love how versatile the dressing is...I love garlic with almost anything...I can't wait to make it.
Sue-Tanya Mchorgh says
This Caper and Garlic Salad Dressing recipe sounds absolutely divine! I can almost taste the vibrant flavors bursting from every bite. I love how versatile it is, perfect for salads, dips, and even as a marinade. Can't wait to add a taste of the Mediterranean to my next meal!
Samantha Donnelly says
I do love salad dressings but not made my own yet, will definitey be trying this one
Williams Melanie says
Ooo how yummy, sauces and dressings always jazz up a salad. This was look lush, so I'll deffo be trying this out thanks Mel x
Rhian Scammell says
I am a huge garlic fan so any dressing with garlic in has my vote. But I don't know if I've ever had capers before x
Jupiter Hadley says
This dressing sounds like it has a lot of flavor in it! Thank you for sharing your easy to follow recipe.
Kira Kira says
This looks so good , the dressing sounds delicious , would be something we would make for sure