This creamy Date Dijon Dressing is simple to make and full of flavor. Made with dates, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and a splash of apple cider vinegar, it’s an excellent homemade dressing for salads and bowls.
Creamy, sweet, and slightly tangy, this dressing uses just a few ingredients and comes together in minutes. With only five ingredients (including water), it pairs well with a wide range of salads and is naturally gluten free, paleo, and Whole30 friendly when you choose compliant ingredients.
Below are step-by-step instructions and tips so you can make this Date Dijon Dressing at home and enjoy it with your next meal.
How to Make Date Dijon Dressing
STEP 1: PREP THE DATES
Remove the pits from the dates and chop them into small pieces. Spread the pieces in a single layer in a microwavable bowl and pour the water over them. Heat in the microwave for about 3 minutes, checking every 30 seconds to prevent the water from boiling over. If the water has mostly evaporated after 2 minutes, you can stop earlier; otherwise continue until only a shallow layer of liquid remains.
When the dates are softened, remove the bowl and mash the dates with the remaining liquid using a fork until you have a smooth paste.
STEP 2: MAKE THE DRESSING
Transfer the date paste to a small food processor or a bowl suitable for an immersion blender. Add the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar. If you’re following Whole30, use compliant mayonnaise and mustard.
Blend until the mixture is smooth and fully combined. Transfer the dressing to a lidded container and refrigerate until needed. It will keep in the refrigerator for 7–10 days.
RECIPE TIPS
- If you don’t have apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar or rice vinegar can be used in the same amount.
- Toasted nuts like pecans or hazelnuts complement this dressing and work well in a salad with it.
- Shredded Brussels sprouts are great with this dressing. You can shred them yourself with a food processor or choose pre-shredded sprouts from the produce section.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
This Date Dijon Dressing pairs especially well with hearty salads featuring roasted vegetables, shredded Brussels sprouts, nuts, and protein like grilled chicken or pork. It also makes a delicious dip for raw vegetables or a flavorful sauce for grain bowls.
RECIPE FOR DATE DIJON DRESSING
Date Dijon Dressing (Whole30, Paleo, GF)
This creamy Date Dijon Dressing is easy to make and tastes delicious. Made with dates, mayo, Dijon mustard, and a splash of apple cider vinegar, it’s a fantastic homemade dressing for salads.
Course: Salad
Prep Time: 7 minutes • Cook Time: 3 minutes • Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 10 • Calories: 58 kcal per serving
Author: Taryn Solie
Equipment
- A sharp knife
- A cutting board
- A microwavable bowl
- A fork
- A small food processor or immersion blender
- Measuring spoons
- Container with a lid for storage
Ingredients
- 2 dates
- ½ cup water
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 3 tbsp Dijon mustard (use a Whole30-compliant mustard if needed)
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise (use a Whole30-compliant mayo if needed)
Instructions
- Cut the pits out of the dates and chop the fruit into small pieces. Place the pieces in a single layer in a microwavable bowl and pour the water over them. Microwave for about 3 minutes, checking every 30 seconds to prevent boiling over. Stop earlier if most of the water has evaporated.
- When the dates are soft, remove the bowl and mash the dates and remaining water with a fork until a paste forms.
- Transfer the date paste to a small food processor or a bowl for an immersion blender. Add the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar.
- Blend until smooth and well combined. Pour the dressing into a lidded container and refrigerate. It keeps for 7–10 days.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 58 kcal | Carbohydrates: 1 g | Protein: 1 g | Fat: 6 g | Saturated Fat: 1 g | Cholesterol: 3 mg | Sodium: 99 mg | Potassium: 15 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 1 g | Calcium: 3 mg | Iron: 1 mg
If you make this Date Dijon Dressing, please rate the recipe and share your experience in the comments below.
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*This post once included affiliate links. The dressing recipe itself uses simple pantry ingredients; choose compliant products if you follow Whole30 or paleo guidelines.
