French Salad Dressing (French Vinaigrette Recipe) (2024)

ByEdyta

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French Salad Dressing is super simple, requires just a few natural ingredients and can be put together in less than 5 minutes. Classic French vinaigrette is something that everyone who likes to cook great meals from scratch, should know. Below I will show you a step-by-step how to make this amazing simple French Dressing.

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French Salad Dressing (French Vinaigrette Recipe) (1)

What is French Salad Dressing

You may find a lot of recipes online that are intended to recreate a store-bought French Dressing and they contain a copious amount of sugar, ketchup, oil, vinegar and lots of differentspices.This French Vinaigretteis not that type of dressing! This French Salad Dressing is a verysimple vinaigrette that the French eat all the time. They usually just toss it with simple greens and they have a perfect side dish. But possibilities for this homemade French dressing go way beyond that.

This classic French Salad Dressing contains only a few, simple, whole foods ingredients:

  • Shallots (a very important ingredientin French cuisine);
  • White wine, red wine or champagne vinegar;
  • Good quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil;
  • Classic French Dijon Mustard;
  • Salt & Pepper, to taste;
  • I added a special ingredient that is optional: a little splash of Maple syrup to balance out the tanginess of the vinaigrette. (Note, this is not part of the classic recipe so feel free to skip it, or try it both ways and decide for yourself which way you prefer)

How to Make French Dressing

Here is a step by step guide for how to make a perfect French vinaigrette:

Step 1: Peel and finely chop 1 large shallot (2 tablespoons of chopped shallot) and add it to the mason-type jar;

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Step 2: Add 2 tablespoons of vinegar (I bought a wonderful unfiltered organic White Wine Vinegar, but use any white, red or champagnevinegar you like);

Step 3: Add 6 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil (Tip: to create the best vinaigrette you’ll need to keep this proportion of vinegar to oil 1:3);

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Step 4: Add a teaspoon of Dijonmustard;

Step 5: Add about a 1/4 teaspoon of salt.

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Step 6: Season with freshly ground black pepper;

Step7: OPTIONAL: add a teaspoon of Maple syrup to balance out acidity;

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Step 8: Put the lid on the jar and mix well. You can use it immediatelyor it can be kept in a refrigeratorfor abouta week.

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How to Use French Vinaigrette

In France, this classic vinaigrette would be used often to dress simplegreens but you can use it on any salad or veggies you’d like. Here are a couple of suggestions:

  • Green Salad Recipe;
  • ;
  • Detox Salad;
  • Smoked Salmon and Beets Salad;
  • Roasted Asparagus;
  • Roasted Cauliflower;
  • Garlic Lemon Chicken Salad;
  • Any steamed veggies, like broccoli, cauliflower or beans.

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Other French Recipes to Try

  • Chicken Chasseur (French Hunter’s Chicken)
  • Chicken Provencal
  • Perfect French Crepes
  • Ham and Cheese Crepes
  • Ham and Cheese Soup
  • Chunky Potato Leek Soup
  • Acorn and Butternut Squash Gratin Casserole
  • Classic Croque Monsieur

What equipment is needed to Make this French Dressing

  • Cutting Board
  • Set of Knives
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Mason jar

French Salad Dressing (French Vinaigrette Recipe) (8)

French Salad Dressing

French Salad Dressing is super simple, requires just a few natural ingredients and can be put together in less than 5 minutes. Classic French vinaigrette is something that everyone who likes to cook great meals from scratch, should know. Below I will show you a step-by-step how to make this amazing simple French Dressing.

5 from 6 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Salad, Sauce, Side Dish

Cuisine: French

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 196kcal

Author: Edyta

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp Shallots chopped (about one small or half big)
  • 2 tbsp White Wine Vinegar Or Red Wine Vinegar or Champagne Vinegar
  • 6 tbsp Olive Oil Extra Virgin
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard (you can add more to your liking)
  • 1 teaspoon Maple Syrup Optional, added here to balance acidity
  • 1/4 teaspoon Kosher Salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Instructions

  • Peel and finely chop 1 small shallot (2 tablespoons of chopped shallot) and add it to the mason-type jar;

  • Add 2 tablespoons of vinegar (White Wine Vinegar, but you can also use red or champagnevinegar);

  • Add 6 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil (Tip: to create the best vinaigrette you'll need to keep this proportion of vinegar to oil 1:3);

  • Add a teaspoon of Dijonmustard;

  • Add about a 1/4 teaspoon of salt.

  • Season with freshly ground black pepper;

  • OPTIONAL: add a teaspoon of Maple syrup to balance out acidity;

  • Put the lid on the jar and mix well. You can use it immediatelyor it can be kept in a refrigeratorfor abouta week. Pour over your favorite salad.

Nutrition

Calories: 196kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 161mg | Potassium: 16mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Iron: 0.2mg

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French Salad Dressing (French Vinaigrette Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

Is French dressing the same as French vinaigrette? ›

In the nineteenth century, French dressing was synonymous with vinaigrette, which is still the definition used by the American professional culinary industry.

What is a typical French dressing made from? ›

It's defined as a blend or emulsion of vegetable oil, vinegar or lemon juice, and any of the following optional ingredients: Salt. Spices and/or natural flavorings (usually paprika, onion powder, and sugar) Tomato paste, tomato purée, or ketchup.

What is the formula for vinaigrette dressing? ›

The French have decided that the perfect ratio for a vinaigrette is 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar. For my personal taste, that's a little too oily — but it's totally up to you. My simple system is: In a small screw-top jar, place vinegar and a pinch of salt; cover and shake (this helps to dissolve the salt).

Which of the following ingredients is used in making French dressing? ›

Ingredients
  • 1 ½ cups vegetable oil.
  • 1 cup ketchup.
  • ¾ cup white sugar.
  • ½ cup vinegar.
  • 1 small onion, chopped.
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice.
  • 1 teaspoon paprika.
  • ½ teaspoon salt.
Jul 10, 2022

Why did they stop making French dressing? ›

The trade group argued that the FDA's strict guidelines stifled innovation and left consumers with limited options on the market. Customers who were looking for low-fat or fat-free versions of the condiment were out of luck since those products could not legally be marketed as “French dressing,” according to the ADS.

What is French vinaigrette made of? ›

Whisk together oil, vinegar, shallot if using, and mustard in the bottom of a large salad bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add whatever salad you're making and toss to combine.

How long does homemade French dressing last in the fridge? ›

You can store homemade French dressing in the refrigerator for a week, which is risky. Vinegar, salt, and sugar preserve the dressing and keep it safe from bacterial growth, but not as long as preservatives do.

Which ingredient is not used in making French dressing? ›

The ingredient that is not used in making french dressing is the egg yolk. What is a french dressing? This creamy dressing that varies in color from pale orange to bright red is American cuisine. In France they call it vinaigrette and it is usually made of oil, vinegar, sugar, and other flavorings.

What is another name for French salad dressing? ›

Vinaigrette: A classic French dressing, vinaigrette is made with a mixture of oil, vinegar, and seasonings. It can include ingredients like Dijon mustard, garlic, shallots, and herbs. Variations may include balsamic vinaigrette, red wine vinaigrette, or champagne vinaigrette.

Which vinegar is best for vinaigrette? ›

In addition to white wine vinegar, red wine, sherry, balsamic and cider vinegars can all be used in the same quantities as above. It's really down to personal taste and it's great to have a selection of vinegars in your cupboard to give variety to even the simplest salads.

What is the French word dressing? ›

1. ( for wound) pansem*nt m. 2. ( for salad, oil and vinegar) assaisonnement m.

What is going on with French dressing? ›

FDA drops regulations on French dressing : NPR. FDA drops regulations on French dressing French dressing is the only pourable dressing required to adhere to standards. The Association for Dressing and Sauces, an industry group, petitioned to pull the standards in the name of "innovation."

What is the best salad dressing? ›

17 Salad Dressings for Greens, Vegetables, and More
  • 01 of 17. Lemon-Shallot Vinaigrette. ...
  • 02 of 17. Texas Barbecue Sauce Vinaigrette. ...
  • 03 of 17. Upland's Buttermilk Ranch Dressing. ...
  • 04 of 17. Sweet and Tangy Mustard Dressing. ...
  • 05 of 17. Alabama-Style White Barbecue Sauce Dressing. ...
  • 06 of 17. Honey-Lemon Dressing. ...
  • 07 of 17. ...
  • 08 of 17.
3 days ago

What is another name for French dressing? ›

In France they call it vinaigrette. I can only attribute as a food oddity how our creamy, red/orange version, so commonly served in America, evolved from those ingredients into something so different yet with the same name.

What do French people call French dressing? ›

However the most common form of salad dressing in France is known as 'une vinaigrette. ' It is simply made from olive oil, wine vinegar, mustard and salt and pepper. This is also known as 'vinaigrette' (or French dressing) in the UK.

What is a synonym for French dressing? ›

Definitions of French dressing. oil and vinegar with mustard and garlic. synonyms: sauce vinaigrette, vinaigrette. type of: dressing, salad dressing.

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