Feel the Burn with These Spicy Salad Dressing Recipes

Salads get a bad rap. A lot of people still think of them as “diet food,” something bland and unsatisfying that you only eat when you’re trying to lose weight. The truth is that salads are no different than any other kind of food; what makes the difference between tasteless and flavorful is the ingredients, the seasonings, and the dressings.

“Bland” has never been an accusation lobbed in the direction of Pepper Jelly, meanwhile. With its complex blend of sweet, spicy, sour, and savory flavor profiles, Grandma Jones’ Pepper Jelly is sure to please any palate. 

No surprise, then, that Pepper Jelly dips and spreads are a great way to add spice to any salad. It’s especially good when used in homemade salad dressings. Whether or not you’re trying to shed the pounds, below are four spicy salad dressing recipes that are sure to have you feeling theburn. Order a jar of Pepper Jelly now and turn even the most boring salad into a taste sensation!

4 Spicy Salad Dressing Recipes to Make with Pepper Jelly

Grandma Jones’ Pepper Jelly comes in a wide variety of flavors and heat levels, from classic sweet ‘n’ spicy Traditional Pepper Jelly to smoky Southwestern Chipotle Pepper Jelly to tart and extra-hot Cranberry Habanero Pepper Jelly. How do you know which to use to make a good spicy salad dressing recipe? The answer is simple: whichever flavor you like best will always be the best choice, so don’t fret too much!

For each of the following spicy salad dressing recipes, we recommend using a food processor to puree your Pepper Jelly as much as possible to maximize liquidity. If you like a thicker, more robust dressing, however, feel free to leave it only half-pureed so you can enjoy the occasional larger piece of pepper or onion.

Spicy Vinaigrette Salad Dressing Recipe

Ingredients:

• Your favorite Pepper Jelly flavor
• Apple cider vinegar
• Olive oil
• Dijon mustard
• Kosher salt

Directions:

• Whisk the ingredients together in a bowl until smooth.
• Refrigerate in a covered Tupperware container. Will keep for about one week.
• Can also be used as a marinade for meats and vegetables.

Spicy Asian Salad Dressing Recipe

Ingredients:

• Your favorite Pepper Jelly flavor
• Rice wine vinegar
• Olive oil
• Asian fish sauce
• Black sesame seeds
• White sesame seeds
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

Directions:

• Whisk the ingredients together in a bowl until smooth.
• Refrigerate in a covered Tupperware container. Will keep for about one week.
• Can also be used as a dipping sauce for fried foods or tossed in a wok for stir fry.

Spicy Ranch Salad Dressing Recipe

Ingredients:

• Your favorite Pepper Jelly flavor
• Apple cider vinegar
• Mayonnaise
• Dijon mustard
• Olive oil
• Buttermilk
• Sour cream
• Roasted red peppers (chopped)
• Green onions (chopped)
• Fresh parsley (chopped)
• Fresh garlic (minced}
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

Directions:

• Blend all ingredients together in a food processor until creamy.
• Refrigerate in a covered Tupperware container. Will keep for about one week.
• Can also be used as dip for chips and pretzels or as part of a crudite.

Spicy Italian Salad Dressing Recipe

Ingredients:

• Your favorite Pepper Jelly flavor
• Red wine vinegar
• Olive oil
• Maple syrup
• Worcestershire sauce
• Fresh garlic (minced)
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

Directions:

• Shake all ingredients together in a jar until emulsified.
• Refrigerate in a covered Tupperware container. Will keep for about one week.
• Can also be used as a marinade for meats and vegetables, or mixed into pasta salad.

Pepper Jelly is the Perfect Addition to Any Salad

More than just a great ingredient for your spicy vinaigrette salad dressing recipe, Grandma Jones’ Pepper Jelly can help add heat and flavor to boring salads all on its own. A few spoonfuls of Pepper Jelly drizzled over your plate makes a great replacement for or addition to other dressings.

Salad isn’t the only dish that can benefit from the unique flavor combinations that Pepper Jelly brings with it. You can enjoy it as a glaze for meat, fish, and vegetables, as an addition to soups and sauces, as a spread on sandwiches, as dip for chips and crackers, or even just eat it straight out of the jar! Trust us, you wouldn’t be the first person to do it.