Dirty Martini Salad Dressing

 If you’re looking for a salad dressing that’s going to impress your guests, this dirty martini salad dressing is the answer. The recipe doesn’t call for any alcohol, but its flavors channel a gin or vodka martini.

This delicate dressing has a balance of brininess and acidity paired with herbaceous notes from fragrant rosemary and aromatics like garlic and shallots. The bonus is that it can also be used as a marinade or dipping sauce, too.

Is the best part is how easy it is, how customizable it is, or the fact that 007 himself might come to hunt you down for it? We’ll let you solve that mystery — in the meantime, set aside the few minutes it takes to whip up this simple dressing that will be the star of the show however you choose to use it.

Why You’ll Love Dirty Martini Dressing

There’s no reason not to love this sassy sauce. 

• Delicious – This incredible dressing is a delectable sauce with balanced flavors that channels the flavors of a gin martini. It will up your salad dressing game exponentially. Just like a nice dry martini.
• Convenient – These ingredients will likely be in your pantry or fridge, but if they’re not already, they should be easy to find at the grocery store. 
• Easy – It couldn’t be easier to whip up this simple dressing that will absolutely elevate your meal.

Ingredients

These basic ingredients make the best dressing when you bring them all together.

• Olive brine: This splash of olive brine is what really makes this dressing. The olive juice that’s found in a jar of olives adds a briny flavor that complements the other ingredients.
• White wine vinegar: This vinegar adds a tangy and acidic taste to the dressing, which balances out the saltiness from the olive brine and the richness of the olive oil.
• Pimento-stuffed green olives: The olives are the star ingredient in a dirty martini dressing. They provide a distinctive flavor and texture to the dressing, and their briny taste pairs perfectly with the other ingredients.
• Garlic clove: Garlic adds a pungent and slightly sweet flavor to the dressing, which enhances the other flavors and adds depth overall.
• Shallot: Shallots have a milder and sweeter taste than onions and they add a subtle onion-like flavor to the dressing without overpowering the other ingredients.
• Lemon juice: This adds a bright and fresh flavor to the dressing – its acidity balances out the other flavors.
• Fresh rosemary: Rosemary adds a woody and pine-like flavor to the dressing, which complements the other flavors and adds an herbaceous aroma.
• Coarse kosher salt: Sprinkle salt into this dressing to add a crunchy texture — it also brings out the natural flavors of the other ingredients.
• Ground black pepper: Black pepper adds a tiny touch of heat and spiciness to the dressing.
• Extra virgin olive oil: This is the base of the dressing and provides a rich and luxurious texture.

How to Make Dirty Martini Salad Dressing

This delicious dressing comes together so easily and quickly. 

1. Add ingredients to food processor. Add the olive brine, white wine vinegar, olives, garlic, shallot, lemon juice, rosemary, salt, and pepper to a blender or food processor. 
2. Blend. Pulse or blend briefly. Only a bit of the rosemary should remain intact.
3. Add olive oil. In intervals, add the olive oil while continuing to run the blender or food processor.
4. Enjoy. Serve over your favorite salad. Ours included spinach, grape tomatoes, blue cheese crumbles, cucumbers and thinly sliced red onion.

How to Serve It!

The obvious answer is to serve this dressing over your favorite simple salad made with veggies and salad greens or a Wedge Salad. However, you can also use it as a marinade to dress up meats like chicken breasts and pork chops, or for veggies like asparagus or carrots as well. 

You can also toss it into one of your favorite pasta sauces or toss it with pasta for an upgrade on your typical pasta salad or just serve it as a dipping sauce for fresh bread. Or, if you’re feeling saucy, use this in the base of your next Bloody Mary (served in extra large cocktail glasses, of course).

And of course, serve it on any salad. From a luscious caesar to a protein cobb salad, it is amazing!

Variations 

This dressing is full of bold flavor but there are endless ways to change it to make it your signature salad topper.

• Alcohol – Instead of white wine, try sherry or a bit of dry vermouth. You can also give liquor a shot by using gin or vodka.
• Oil – Use avocado oil or canola oil instead.
• Citrus – Instead of lemon juice, try lime.
• Other spices –  Add ginger, more garlic, or horseradish to the dressing.
• Heat – Impart more spiciness by adding crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper powder.
• Onion – Add some green onions or red onion to impart even more flavor.
• Blue cheese – Add crumbled blue cheese to the dressing for more pungent, umami flavor.

Storage and Freezing

You can make this dressing ahead of time and store it — it’s perfect for meal prep or getting ready for parties.

Refrigerator: Store dirty martini dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Freezer: Dirty martini dressing can be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze, place the dressing in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze. 

Common Questions About Dirty Martini Dressing

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• Dijon Lime Salad Dressing
• Honey Mustard
• Tomato Salad Dressing

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Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing

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Dirty Martini Salad Dressing

4.28 from 11 votes

This Dirty Martini Salad Dressing balances brininess and acidity with herbs from fragrant rosemary and aromatics like garlic and shallots!

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 5 minutes mins

Servings: 1 cup

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Equipment

• Small Food Processor
• Garlic press
• Ninja Blender System
• Small Food Processor

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup olive brine
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 5-6 pimento stuffed green olives
• 1 garlic clove , coarsely chopped
• 1/2 shallot , coarsely chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary , coarsely chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
• 1/3 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 cup extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

• In a blender or small food processor, combine the olive brine, white wine vinegar, olives, garlic, shallot, lemon juice, rosemary, salt and pepper. Pulse or blend until only small pieces of the rosemary remain.
• Slowly add in the olive oil in a steady stream while the blender or food processor is running to create an emulsification.
• Serve over your favorite salad.
• If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it is in the star ratings or comments.

Notes

Our dressing was served in martini classes using a baby spinach and arugula blend with thinly sliced red onion, grape tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese and cucumber.

Other variations to help stabilize the emulsification include 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard or honey.

Author: Jessica Formicola

Course: Condiment

Cuisine: American

Keyword: dirty martini salad dressing

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