How long does strawberry dressing last?

Store in an airtight jar for 4–5 days in the refrigerator.

Is this a CAVA copycat strawberry dressing?

Not exactly. This recipe is inspired by the fresh strawberry dressing served at CAVA , but it's my own homemade version. I use simple ingredients like fresh strawberries, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, and monk fruit to create a sweet, tangy dressing that's perfect for salads.

Fresh strawberry dressing is best enjoyed fresh, but it can be frozen for up to one month. Personally, I have never frozen it before.

Can I omit the honey?

Yes. Increase the monk fruit or use maple syrup instead.

Can I use frozen strawberries?

Fresh strawberries provide the best flavor, but thawed frozen strawberries also work. I never tried this recipe with frozen strawberries. You may get a slightly different result with frozen strawberries.

Is this dressing healthy?

Yes. It's made with real fruit, heart-healthy olive oil, and naturally sweetened with monk fruit and a small amount of honey.

Fresh Strawberry Salad Dressing (Inspired by CAVA)

Name: Fresh Strawberry Salad Dressing (Inspired by CAVA)
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American/Universal
Ingredients: 2–3 cups fresh strawberries; ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil; 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar; 1 tablespoon monk fruit sweetener; 1 tablespoon honey; Salt, to taste; Black pepper, to taste

Description

This Fresh Strawberry Salad Dressing is sweet, tangy, and creamy, made with real strawberries, extra-virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, and monk fruit. Inspired by the flavors of CAVA, this easy homemade dressing comes together in just 5 minutes and is perfect for green salads, salmon salads, quinoa bowls, and fresh summer recipes. Once you try this healthy strawberry dressing, you’ll never want bottled dressing again!

Ingredients

Scale

2–3 cups fresh strawberries
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon monk fruit sweetener
1 tablespoon honey
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Prepare the Strawberries. Wash the strawberries thoroughly, remove the green tops (hull them), and cut them into halves or quarters if they’re large.
Blend the Ingredients. Add the strawberries, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, monk fruit, honey, salt, and black pepper to a blender.
Blend Until Smooth. Blend on high until the dressing is smooth, creamy, and well combined. Scrape down the sides of the blender if needed and blend again.
Taste and Adjust. Taste the dressing and adjust the sweetness, acidity, or seasoning to your preference. Add a little more honey for sweetness or apple cider vinegar for extra tang.
Serve or Store. Serve immediately over your favorite salad, or transfer the dressing to an airtight jar and refrigerate until ready to use. Shake well before each use. This is an ideal spring and summer strawberry vinaigrette recipe. Perfect for dips & dressings. Enjoy!

Notes

Use ripe, sweet strawberries for the best flavor. The sweeter the strawberries, the better your dressing will taste.

Adjust the sweetness to your liking. Depending on how sweet or tart your strawberries are, you may want to add a little more honey or monk fruit.

Blend until completely smooth for a creamy, restaurant-quality dressing. Scrape down the sides of the blender if needed.

Refrigerate before serving if you have time. Chilling the dressing for 15–30 minutes allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Shake or stir before using. Since this dressing contains olive oil and fresh fruit, some natural separation may occur during storage.

Store in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For the freshest flavor, enjoy it within the first 2–3 days.

This recipe is naturally gluten-free and made with wholesome ingredients, making it a healthier alternative to many store-bought salad dressings.