Apple Cider Vinegar Vinaigrette

August 1, 2026 | Yields 1 batch (~⅔ cup) | Prep 10 min | Total 10 min

One Night in New Orleans

Back when I was getting my MSW in New Orleans, one of my closest friends invited a group of us over for a potluck dinner while her mom was visiting from out of town. Her mom, Leah, made the salad that night.

I took one bite and immediately said, "What is in this? I need to know!"

She laughed and told me the secret ingredient was nutritional yeast.

I'll be honest... I was about 39 years old and had never even heard of nutritional yeast. If you're reading this and thinking, Wait... what's nutritional yeast? you're definitely not alone. It has a rich, savory flavor that adds incredible depth to recipes like this, and it has some nutritional benefits, too. I mean, "nutritional" is right there in the name.

Leah told me the ingredients, and I scribbled them onto a little yellow sticky note. No ratios. Just the ingredient list.

That was about fifteen years ago, and, four moves later, I'm almost certain that sticky note is still somewhere in my house, probably tucked inside a cookbook or recipe binder. Every time I come across it, I think, I really need to develop that recipe.

Looking at this vinaigrette now, I have a feeling I've come pretty close. The ingredients are pretty similar to what I remember writing down all those years ago. Maybe this is the recipe... or maybe it's simply inspired by it. I won't know until I find that little yellow sticky note.

One day, I will find it, I will bring it to My Midlife Table, and we shall call it Leah's Incredible Dressing.

Until then, this vinaigrette is inspired by that unforgettable salad, the most beautiful, kind, genuine Leah S., and an evening in New Orleans filled with good friends, lots of love, laughter, and amazing food. Probably great music, too.

Why It's on My Midlife Table

This vinaigrette comes together in less than ten minutes with a handful of simple pantry ingredients, but the flavor is anything but basic. The apple cider vinegar gives it plenty of brightness, while the Dijon and honey help balance the tang. Nutritional yeast adds a savory depth that your taste buds will thank you for. It's also a good source of plant-based protein and B vitamins, which is one of the reasons it's become such a popular pantry staple. If you're curious about its nutritional profile and other potential benefits, this is a helpful resource.

I also love how versatile it is. It's delicious tossed with a simple green salad, including my Spinach Salad with Apples and Walnuts, but it can just as easily brighten up grain bowls, roasted vegetables, or whatever combination of greens and vegetables needs a little something extra.

Nourishment Snapshot

Here's what this recipe brings to the table.

• Protein: ~1 g. Nutritional yeast adds a small boost of plant-based protein, complementing the protein in your salad, grain bowl, or meal.
• Fiber: ~1 g. A little extra fiber from the nutritional yeast is a nice bonus in a homemade vinaigrette.
• Total Sugar: ~4 g (all from the honey or maple syrup). Just enough to balance the tanginess of the apple cider vinegar.
• Healthy Fats: About 11 g. Extra virgin olive oil provides heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and helps your body absorb fat-soluble nutrients from leafy greens and colorful vegetables.

A Few Things You'll Need

• Extra virgin olive oil
• Apple cider vinegar
• Dijon mustard
• Nutritional yeast
• Honey or maple syrup
• Fine sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Cook's Notes & Substitutions

• Nutritional yeast: Don't skip it if you can help it! Nutritional yeast is the ingredient that gives this vinaigrette its subtle savory depth (umami) and "what is that?" flavor. If you don't already keep it on hand, it's inexpensive, lasts for months in the pantry, and is easy to find at most grocery stores. If necessary, you can omit it, but I think it's absolutely worth adding.
• Honey or maple syrup: Either works beautifully. Honey gives the dressing a classic flavor, while maple syrup adds a slightly richer sweetness.
• Adjust the sweetness: If you prefer a tangier vinaigrette, start with 2 tsps of honey or maple syrup and add more to taste.
• Storage: Store the vinaigrette in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to one week. Shake well before serving, as the ingredients will naturally separate.
• Serving ideas: This vinaigrette is delicious tossed with leafy green salads, drizzled over grain bowls, tossed with roasted vegetables, or used as a quick marinade for chicken.

If this recipe makes its way to your table, I'd love to hear how it turned out. Leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram so I can see your version.

As always, nutrition information is provided as an estimate and can vary depending on the ingredients and brands you use.