Orange Poppy Seed Dressing
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A delicious sweet and tangy dressing you can use for leafy greens salads, fruit salads, on grain or Buddha bowls, as a glaze for roasted veggies, or as a marinade, this Orange Poppy Seed Dressing recipe is quick and easy to make!
I love homemade salad dressings. So fresh and vibrant in flavor, nothing store-bought can compare! Not to mention homemade means it’s also free of junk ingredients. This Orange Poppy Seed Dressing is quick and simple to make and is a delicious citrus-infused dressing you can use for both sweet or savory applications!
What is the Purpose of Poppy Seeds in Dressing?
These are the kinds of questions I contemplate as I developing new recipes. Those tiny black seeds in salad dressings…what purpose do they serve? I can think of four:
- Texture: Poppy seeds have a crunchy texture that provide a very subtle, tiny crunch and pop with every bite, adding a pleasant contrast to the smoothness of the dressing and enhancing the overall mouthfeel.
- Flavor enhancement: Poppy seeds don’t have a strong flavor, they do contribute a subtle nuttiness to the dressing that is especially complementary to the citrus tones of the orange.
- Nutritional benefits: While these are added only in small amounts to the dressing, everything we eat adds up to the overall nutrients we consume. Poppy seeds are a good source of dietary fiber, healthy fats, and essential minerals like magnesium, iron, and calcium.
- Visual appeal: And above all, at least in my opinion, they contribute visual interest by adding specks of color to the dressing and to your salad. Just like in this Strawberry Poppy Seed Dressing, they create an attractive appearance and make for a pretty salad dressing to display at your table. And as the saying goes, we first eat with our eyes.
How to Serve Orange Poppy Seed Dressing
Orange poppy seed dressing is a versatile and flavorful dressing that can be used in a variety of ways. Here are a few ideas:
- Salad dressing: Drizzle this dressing over your leafy green salads. Salads with spinach or arugula pair especially well. orange poppy seed dressing over a mixed green salad or a fruit salad. It pairs particularly well with salads that include fresh greens, strawberries, mandarin oranges, or avocado.
- Fruit salad dressing: Cut up apples, bananas, peaches, kiwis, etc, and add some berries, then drizzle this over your fruit salad and stir to combine.
- Grain bowl dressing: Drizzle this dressing over your grain bowls or Buddha bowls. It pairs nicely with a variety of grains, vegetables, proteins, and legumes.
- Marinade: Use this dressing as a marinade for chicken, pork, beef, fish, or tofu for a delicious citrus-infused flavor.
- Glaze for roasted vegetables: Toss your veggies, such as carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, and Brussels sprouts, wtih this dressing before roasting them. It creates a yummy sweet and tangy glaze.
Orange Poppy Seed Dressing Recipe
This dressing is simple and quick to make:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the orange juice, vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard until combined.
- Slowly drizzle in the oil, whisking continuously until emulsified.
- Stir in the poppy seeds.
- Add salt and pepper to taste. Add more honey if you prefer it sweeter or more vinegar if you prefer it tangier.
- Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.
This dressing will separate/settle as it sits so give it a good shake before serving. This will keep for up to a week in the fridge.
Enjoy!
For more delicious homemade dressings be sure to try our:
- Ranch Dressing
- Italian Dressing
- French Dressing
- Blue Cheese Dressing
- Thousand Island Dressing
- Russian Dressing
- Asian Salad Dressing
- Creamy Cilantro Dressing
- Strawberry Poppy Seed Dressing
- Lemon Dill Mustard Dressing
Orange Poppy Seed Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar (can substitute champagne vinegar or apple cider vinegar)
- 2 tablespoons honey (vegan: use agave syrup)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup sunflower oil (or canola oil)
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the orange juice, vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard until combined. Slowly drizzle in the oil, whisking continuously until emulsified. Stir in the poppy seeds. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add more honey if you prefer it sweeter or more vinegar if you prefer it tangier. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. This dressing will separate/settle as it sits so give it a good shake or stir before serving. Will keep for up to a week.
Nutrition
Hi, I’m Kimberly Killebrew and welcome to Daring Gourmet where you'll find delicious originals, revitalized classics, and simply downright good eats from around the world! Originally from Germany, later raised in England, world-traveled, and now living in the U.S., from my globally-influenced kitchen I invite you to tour the world through your taste buds!
