Sweet Chili Cranberry Salad Dressing
This Sweet Chili Cranberry Salad Dressing is a sweet, tangy, and lightly spicy homemade dressing made with leftover cranberry sauce and pantry staples. It comes together in minutes and instantly upgrades everyday salads with bold, restaurant-style flavor—without the high price tag.
Equipment
- Medium Mixing Bowl
- Whisk or Spoon
- Food processor or immersion blender
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Glass jar or airtight container
Ingredients
- 1 14–15 oz can cranberry sauce
- ¼ onion chopped fine
- ¾ cup sweet chili sauce
- 1.5 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp chili flakes or Gochujang optional for extra heat
- Splash of rice vinegar or lime juice
Instructions
- Add the 1 14–15 oz can cranberry sauce to a medium mixing bowl and whisk until it loosens and becomes mostly smooth.1 14–15 oz can cranberry sauce
- Stir in the remaining ingredients: ¼ onion chopped fine, ¾ cup sweet chili sauce, 1.5 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp garlic powder, Splash of rice vinegar or lime juice, and the optional heat ingredient (½ tsp chili flakes or Gochujang).¼ onion chopped fine, ¾ cup sweet chili sauce, 1.5 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp chili flakes or Gochujang, Splash of rice vinegar or lime juice
- Whisk well to combine so the flavors start to come together and the dressing begins to thicken.
- Transfer to a food processor (or use an immersion blender) and blend until the onions are fully broken down and the dressing is smooth, glossy, and pourable.
- Taste and adjust, adding more lime/vinegar for brightness or more chili flakes for heat.
- Refrigerate at least 1 hour (preferably overnight) before serving to help the flavors meld and the texture settle.
Notes
Blend for best texture:
Even if the onion is chopped fine, blending the dressing at the end gives it that smooth, restaurant-style consistency. If you skip this step, the flavor will still be great—just with more texture. Sweetness will vary by cranberry sauce:
Whole berry, jellied, or homemade cranberry sauce will all work, but sweetness levels can vary. Always taste and adjust with a splash of lime juice or vinegar if needed. Heat level is flexible:
This dressing is meant to be gently sweet and spicy—not overpowering. Start with less chili flakes or Gochujang, then build it up to your preference. Natural separation is normal:
If the dressing separates slightly in the fridge, just give it a quick shake or stir before serving. Make it creamy (optional):
For a creamy version, blend in a spoonful of mayo, Greek yogurt, or sour cream after chilling.
Even if the onion is chopped fine, blending the dressing at the end gives it that smooth, restaurant-style consistency. If you skip this step, the flavor will still be great—just with more texture. Sweetness will vary by cranberry sauce:
Whole berry, jellied, or homemade cranberry sauce will all work, but sweetness levels can vary. Always taste and adjust with a splash of lime juice or vinegar if needed. Heat level is flexible:
This dressing is meant to be gently sweet and spicy—not overpowering. Start with less chili flakes or Gochujang, then build it up to your preference. Natural separation is normal:
If the dressing separates slightly in the fridge, just give it a quick shake or stir before serving. Make it creamy (optional):
For a creamy version, blend in a spoonful of mayo, Greek yogurt, or sour cream after chilling.