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    Recipes » Salad Recipes » Salad Dressing

    French Vinaigrette

    Published: Feb 10, 2022 by Marissa Stevens · 2 Comments

    Gluten FreeVegetarianWhole30Vegan

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe
    French Vinaigrette served in a small carafe with a green salad behind

    You can make silky French Vinaigrette in just 10 minutes with 3 everyday ingredients (plus salt and pepper). Serve it as a dressing for all kinds of leafy greens, to embellish cold cooked vegetables (like asparagus or artichokes), or as a flavorful dip for a crudités platter. It's a versatile finishing touch that you'll want to always have on hand. 

    French Vinaigrette served in a small carafe with a green salad behind.

    Store-bought salad dressings simply can't compete when it’s so quick, easy, and inexpensive to make your own. Not to mention freshness and ingredients you can pronounce! This classic vinaigrette requires just wine vinegar (red or white), dijon mustard, good olive oil, salt and pepper. It's a vinaigrette to always have on hand or make on a moment's notice. A recipe to learn by heart.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients You Need to Make French Vinaigrette
    • FAQ
    • Recipe Options
    • Looking for more ways to dress up your salads?
    • How to Make French Vinaigrette
    • French Vinaigrette
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredients You Need to Make French Vinaigrette

    French Vinaigrette Ingredients on a white marble board.
    • Wine Vinegar: white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar
    • Dijon Mustard: your favorite brand
    • Olive Oil: ideally an excellent quality extra virgin olive oil
    • Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper

    FAQ

    What Is French Vinaigrette?

    In the 19th century, what we now call French vinaigrette was called French dressing. (The word vinaigrette is a form of the French word for vinaigre (vinegar).) In its simplest form, it's just 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar that's whisked together and often seasoned with salt and pepper. An optional touch of Dijon mustard adds flavor depth and helps to emulsify the dressing.

    What is the difference between French dressing and vinaigrette?

    In American cuisine, instead of the simple, bright flavor of a vinaigrette, French dressing typically refers to the creamy, sweet salad dressing that ranges in color from light orange to bright red. It's available commercially and often contains ketchup, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and other flavors.

    What does French Vinaigrette taste like?

    With its higher oil to vinegar ratio, French vinaigrette is smoother and less tangy and acidic than some vinaigrettes. 

    How long does vinaigrette last in the refrigerator?

    As a rule, vinaigrettes can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks. If the vinaigrette separates and/or the oil hardens, remove from the refrigerator to allow the oil to liquify, then whisk or shake to emulsify.

    Recipe Options

    • Stick to the basic recipe quantities, but feel free to swap in a different kind of vinegar like: apple cider vinegar, sherry vinegar, or even standard white vinegar for a sharper flavor.
    • Use a different oil, such as walnut oil, which is used in northern France.
    • Enhance the classic recipe with minced shallot, dried herbs or minced fresh herbs.

    Looking for more ways to dress up your salads?

    • Greek Salad Dressing
    • Caesar Salad Dressing
    • Strawberry Vinaigrette
    • Champagne Vinaigrette
    • Balsamic Vinaigrette

    How to Make French Vinaigrette

    Whisk all ingredients together until emulsified. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.

    French Vinaigrette in a bowl with a whisk.
    French Vinaigrette served in a small carafe with a green salad behind.

    French Vinaigrette

    Marissa Stevens
    A classic French salad dressing that's so simple you may learn the recipe by heart!
    5 from 1 vote
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course Condiment, Salad Dressing
    Cuisine French
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 161 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 tablespoons wine vinegar white or red
    • ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
    • freshly ground black pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, mustard and salt until combined. Add olive oil in a slow stream, whisking constantly until emulsified. Whisk in salt and several grinds of pepper. Check for seasoning and add more salt or pepper to taste. Serve or refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

    Notes

    1. If olive oil solidifies in refrigerator; remove 15-30 minutes before serving to warm and liquify. Whisk vinaigrette to combine before serving.
    2. Makes about ½ cup or 4, 2-tablespoon servings.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 161kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gSodium: 153mgPotassium: 4mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 1mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword easy
    Tried this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. David @ Spiced says

      February 11, 2022 at 4:00 am

      5 stars
      Wow, I had no idea that French vinaigrette was so easy to make at home! And homemade salad dressings always knock the socks off of storebought ones. Keeping this in mind for the next time we make a salad!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        February 14, 2022 at 4:40 pm

        Thanks, David! I hope that you and your family will love it.

        Reply

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