Cava Garlic Dressing Recipe

A perfectly balanced Cava Garlic Dressing Recipe takes your salads and veggies to the next level. With just a few simple ingredients like garlic, vinegar, honey, mustard, olive oil and seasonings, you can whip up the most delicious, restaurant-quality dressing right at home. 

The roasted garlic adds a sweet, mellow flavor that plays well with the tanginess from the white wine vinegar and spiciness of the Dijon mustard. A touch of honey helps round everything out while the olive oil creates a luscious, creamy texture. 

Whether you need an easy weeknight salad topper or a show-stopping dressing to impress guests, this Cava Garlic Dressing checks all the boxes.

Why You’ll Love This Salad Dressing 

Homemade salad dressings beat store-bought every single time. When you make your own, you control the quality of ingredients and the flavor balance. The possibilities are endless! This specific recipe shines thanks to the complex yet complementary flavors. Roasting mellows out the garlic, removing any bitter harshness and leaving behind sweetness.

When blended up into a smooth emulsion, the garlic perfectly balances against the bright vinegar and spicy Dijon.

The end result is a dressing packed with flavor that makes salads irresistible. Even veggie skeptics will go back for seconds!

How to Make Cava Garlic Dressing

The great thing about this homemade dressing is how simple it is to prepare. You only need 10 minutes of active work time. The hands-off roasting step does require about an hour of oven time but during that time you can prep other meal components or tidy up.

Let’s learn how to make this special dish:

Ingredients Needed

Cava Garlic Dressing has a short ingredient list with common pantry staples:

• Garlic (3/4 cup): Use 3 whole bulbs for plenty of roasted garlic flavor
• White Wine Vinegar (1/4 cup): Adds tanginess 
• Honey (2 tsp): Balances out acidity from vinegar 
• Dijon Mustard (1 tsp): Provides a spicy kick
• Salt and Pepper (1 pinch): Season to taste
• Water (3 tbsp): Thins out consistency  
• Olive Oil (1/3 cup): Binds everything to create an emulsion

Kitchen Tools Needed

Part of what makes this dressing so easy is that you don’t need any fancy kitchen tools. The only equipment required includes:

• Baking Sheet: For roasting garlic
• Aluminum Foil: Covers garlic during roasting
• Oven: Roast garlic at 400 F
• Knife and Cutting Board: Prep garlic
• Blender or Food Processor: Emulsifies dressing
• Airtight Container: Stores finished dressing

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to whip up the perfect batch of dressing every time:

Step 1: Prep the Garlic Bulbs

Prep the garlic bulbs for roasting by cutting off the top quarter of each head to expose the tops of the cloves. No need to peel them! Place bulbs cut-side up on a baking sheet. 

Step 2: Drizzle with Olive Oil and Wrap in Foil

Drizzle about a teaspoon of olive oil over each garlic head. Wrap tightly in foil. 

Step 3: Roast the Garlic

Roast at 400 deg F for 40-60 minutes until cloves are very tender when pierced with a knife. The roasting time can vary quite a bit depending on the size of bulbs. 

Step 4: Cool and Squeeze Out Garlic Cloves

Let garlic cool slightly then carefully squeeze out the softened cloves into a blender or food processor. You should have about 3/4 cup of roasted garlic.

Step 5: Add Remaining Ingredients

Add remaining ingredients – vinegar, honey, mustard, salt, pepper, water and 1/3 cup olive oil. 

Step 6: Blend Until Smooth

Blend until completely smooth, stopping to scrape down sides as needed. The emulsification process should take 1-2 minutes total. Now it is ready to serve.

Special Notes

• Roasting whole garlic bulbs mellows out the sharpness while retaining the sweetness – highly recommend taking this extra step! However you can substitute with minced raw garlic if short on time.
• Allow the roasted garlic to cool slightly before squeezing out cloves. This prevents burning your hands.
• Use high quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
• Store leftover dressing for up to 1 week refrigerated.

Adaptations & Variations 

This versatile dressing pairs beautifully with all types of salads and veggies. Get creative with these tasty adaptations:

• Greek Salad Dressing: Add 2 tsp lemon zest and 2 tbsp lemon juice
• Caesar Dressing: Substitute anchovy fillets for half of the mustard 
• Italian Dressing: Use red wine vinegar & add 2 tsp Italian herb blend
• Buffalo Ranch Dressing: Mix in hot sauce and ranch seasoning   
• Creamy Garlic Dressing: Increase olive oil amount to 1/2 cup

Serving Suggestions

This versatile Cava Garlic Dressing can transform all kinds of dishes! Here are just a few ideas for how to use it:

• Green Salads: Drizzle liberally over mixed greens, spinach, kale or wedge salads. The garlic pairs perfectly with bold salad ingredients like walnuts, parmesan, fresh tomatoes or avocado.
• Grain Bowls: Toss with roasted veggies and whole grains like quinoa, farro or brown rice. The garlic adds lots of flavor.
• Baked Potatoes: Top baked russet or sweet potatoes along with bacon, scallions, broccoli and cheddar for a loaded spud.
• Sandwich Spread: Slather onto crusty bread or rolls with sliced deli meats and cheese for an amazing garlic bread sandwich.
• Bruschetta: Top toasted bread slices with diced tomato, basil and Cava Garlic Dressing for an easy appetizer.
• Veggie Dip: Use as a chunky veggie dip for raw vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, radishes or cauliflower.

Storing & Reheating Leftovers 

Like any oil-based dressing, this Cava Garlic Dressing will stay fresh in the fridge for 5-7 days. The best way to store it is in an airtight jar or container. Glass Mason jars or Weck jars work great. The vinegar helps prevent bacterial growth.

If the dressing separates, no worries! Just shake vigorously before using to re-emulsify. If it starts looking too murky or you see signs of mold, time to toss it out.

You can reheat leftover dressing to use later. Remove from the fridge and allow it come closer to room temp before heating. Warm it in 10 second bursts in the microwave or gently heat in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. Just heat until warmed through, not boiling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common FAQs about Cava Garlic Dressing Recipe:

Can I use red or white wine vinegar instead?

White wine vinegar is best for maintaining the light flavors of this dressing. Balsamic or red wine vinegars would overpower the other ingredients. But if that’s all you have on hand, give it a try!

Can I use granulated garlic or garlic powder?

For the best flavor, use fresh roasted garlic cloves. The depth of flavor is vastly superior to ground or powdered garlic.

What vinegar works best?

White wine or champagne vinegar provides the right punch of tangy acidity to balance the richness of the roasted garlic. Apple cider or balsamic vinegar can be too sweet.

Do I really need to let it chill before using?

Yes! Letting it chill for at least 30 minutes allows time for the flavors to fully develop. The garlic and acidity mellows slightly for better flavor.

What oils work well besides olive oil?

Olive oil is best to allow the fresh garlic flavor to shine. But you can also try avocado or walnut oil for a nuttier flavor. Avoid vegetable or canola oil.

Conclusion

This dreamy Cava Garlic Dressing Recipe deserves a permanent spot in your fridge. With sweet roasted garlic balanced by tangy vinegar and spicy mustard, it adds so much flavor to veggies, greens, grains and proteins.

Despite requiring some hands-off roasting time, the process is straightforward enough for cooks of all levels to master. The end result is a restaurant-caliber dressing you can feel proud to serve to family and friends.

Drizzle it over your next salad for a major upgrade with little effort involved!