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    Home » Recipes » Salad Dressing Recipes

    Caper Vinaigrette

    Published: Mar 10, 2021 · Modified: Mar 9, 2021 by The Devil Wears Salad

    Jump to Recipe

    This mighty caper vinaigrette will make any salad taste fancy and deliver the ultimate punch of delicious tangy flavour.

    Caper Vinaigrette
    Jump to:
    • What Are Capers?
    • Caper vs Caper Berries
    • What Do Capers Taste Like?
    • How To Use Capers In Cooking
    • Caper Vinaigrette Ingredients
    • How to Make Caper Vinaigrette
    • Best Salad for This Dressing
    • Recipe

    What Are Capers?

    Tiny but mighty green morsels packed with a tangy, salty flavour, capers are essential in our pantry. We love adding capers to our salads, pastas and sauces.

    So what are capers? Technically, they are flowers. What? Flowers? Yes, capers are the flower buds of a caper bush (Capparis Spinosa). It is native to Mediterranean countries, and therefore they are often found in their cuisine.

    Capers are similar in size to a corn kernel but can be smaller. I do prefer the baby ones as I can add them whole to my recipes. Otherwise, you can chop them up.

    Caper vs Caper Berries

    Do not be confused between caper and caper berries. Capers are the flower bud whilst caper berries are the fruit.

    Both capers and caper berries are generally pickled, but I find caper berries more mellow and less sharp than capers. Maybe it is due to the size. Caper berries are larger than capers, similar to a small olive in size.

    What Do Capers Taste Like?

    Capers are generally preserved in a salt and water brine or a mixture of brine and vinegar. Sometimes you will find them cured in salt.

    The flavour profile of capers are salty, acidic, tangy and slightly bitter in one hit. There is a similarity to olive flavour, but more tangy, I find.

    How To Use Capers In Cooking

    Those little round buds really pack a punch when it comes to flavour. Capers not only adds salt but acidity to the dish.

    Capers can lift sauces with the right amount of salt and help cut through the richness. They are also the perfect ingredient to deliver pops of tang in salads and delicious in dressings.

    With the right amount of olive oil, chopped capers create mouthwatering texture and flavour in pasta. Capers are a great partner for fish, and you can even add to soups!

    Like I’ve mentioned before, we always have a jar of capers in the pantry as it is so versatile in how we can use it.

    Sometimes you don’t want a salad dressing to blend into the background. For this vinaigrette, I wanted not only a punchy dressing but one that has a chunky texture.

    Capers are the perfect hero ingredient. Along with garlic, apple cider vinegar and a good dose of extra virgin olive oil, the combination is sharp, salty and unbelievably tangy.

    You can also use caper vinaigrette over baked fish, grilled chicken, or even mushroom tart to add another layer of intensive flavours.

    Caper Vinaigrette Ingredients

    Capers: You can find them in your pickled vegetable aisle at the supermarket. Next to the olives and cornichons. I would buy the regular sized capers rather than the baby ones as you have to chop them up for this recipe finely.

    Garlic: To increase the vinaigrette’s intensity, we add a clove of garlic for full flavour and punch.

    Apple cider vinegar: good quality vinegar with a hint of sweetness.

    Extra virgin olive oil: Adding to the sharpness of the vinaigrette, use a good quality extra virgin olive oil.

    Salt and pepper: to taste.

    How to Make Caper Vinaigrette

    Finely chop capers and place in a small mixing bowl.

    Crush and finely mince one garlic clove and add to the mixing bowl.

    Add the liquids: apple cider vinegar and extra virgin olive oil to the mixing bowl and stir well to combine the capers, garlic, vinegar and oil together.

    Taste and then season with salt and pepper. You may not need much salt as the capers can be quite salty. Adjust accordingly.

    Best Salad for This Dressing

    Bocconcini Salad with Caper Vinaigrette

    Creamy bocconcini mixed with sweet cherry tomatoes and strawberries along with a caper vinaigrette that explodes in flavour. A quick and colourful Bocconcini Salad perfect for the summer months.

    Bocconcini Salad with Caper Vinaigrette

    More Salad Dressing Recipes

    Salad dressings are incredibly easy to make in the comfort of your own home. This way you can control the ingredients to suit your palate and you can make the exact portion you need for that one meal. We have a huge collection of recipes and you may just like some of these:

    • Maple Hummus Dressing
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    Ingredient Pairing Ideas

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    Caper Vinaigrette

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    Recipe

    Caper Vinaigrette
    Print Recipe
    5 from 9 votes

    Caper Vinaigrette

    This mighty caper vinaigrette will make any salad taste fancy and deliver the ultimate punch of delicious tangy flavour.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Total Time10 mins
    Course: Salad Dressing
    Cuisine: International
    Dietary: Dairy Free, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Nut Free, Plant-Based, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 128kcal
    Author: Sammy Eng

    Ingredients

    • 3 tbsp capers
    • 1 garlic clove
    • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
    • 4 tbsp olive oil, extra virgin
    • salt, to taste
    • pepper, to taste

    Click on the toggle below for conversion to US Cooking Units.

    Instructions

    • Finely chop capers and place in a small mixing bowl.
    • Crush and finely mince one garlic clove and add to the mixing bowl.
    • Add the liquids: apple cider vinegar and extra virgin olive oil to the mixing bowl and stir well to combine the capers, garlic, vinegar and oil together.
    • Taste and then season with salt and pepper. You may not need much salt as the capers can be quite salty. Adjust accordingly.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 128kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 179mg | Potassium: 11mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 9IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg

    *Disclaimer: Nutritional information provided is an estimate only and generated by an online calculator.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Adriana

      May 11, 2021 at 1:36 pm

      5 stars
      Capers are one of my favorite things so I appreciate a good dressing that can incorporate them. This was my first time doing this and was tasty.

      Reply
      • The Devil Wears Salad

        May 31, 2021 at 11:59 am

        Capers are so delicious aren’t they! Glad we gave you another reason to love it!

        Reply
    2. Biana

      May 11, 2021 at 12:01 pm

      5 stars
      This dressing looks delicious! Will be perfect on a simple salad with lettuce, cucumbers and tomatoes.

      Reply
      • The Devil Wears Salad

        May 31, 2021 at 11:59 am

        Yup! Will definitely add some much needed flavour in simple salads.

        Reply
    3. Patty at Spoonabilities

      May 11, 2021 at 11:34 am

      5 stars
      This dressing is amazing! I’ve never used capers in a vinaigrette before — this is totally going to be my favorite dressing! Yum!

      Reply
      • The Devil Wears Salad

        May 31, 2021 at 11:58 am

        Such a great combination isn’t it? Also a great way to get rid of some of the leftovers we all seem to have in the fridge!

        Reply
    4. Jessie

      May 11, 2021 at 11:27 am

      5 stars
      This dressing is so good. I love being able to try different ones. I feel like I get in a rut with the same ones all the time. This will be new in the rotation.

      Reply
      • The Devil Wears Salad

        May 31, 2021 at 11:58 am

        Glad we’re adding to your salad dressing repertoire! We have plenty more here if you need some ideas! https://thedevilwearssalad.com/salad-dressing-recipes/

        Reply
    5. Serena

      May 11, 2021 at 11:20 am

      5 stars
      I love capers and this dressing seems perfect for a summer salad. Yum!

      Reply
      • The Devil Wears Salad

        May 31, 2021 at 11:57 am

        The caper vinaigrette sure is good for the summer! Will give those salad some salty and refreshing goodness!

        Reply
    6. Brianna

      May 11, 2021 at 10:24 am

      5 stars
      I love capers and this vinaigrette adds a great tanginess to my chicken salad.

      Reply
      • The Devil Wears Salad

        May 31, 2021 at 11:57 am

        That would be fantastic with a chicken salad. Glad you found a salad dressing you like and can use again!

        Reply

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