French Dressing Recipe (2024)

Meggan Hill

• Updated

4.98 from 244 votes

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Skip store-bought salad dressing and blend up your own tangy homemade French Dressing recipe in just 2 minutes. This easy salad dressing is made with all pantry staple ingredients.

French Dressing Recipe (2)

Thick and tangy with a sweetness and some spice, this is the French salad dressing of my dreams. It’s what I remember from the Greek restaurants growing up, and it’s exactly what I want on my Dorito Taco Salad today.

The best part is, it comes together in 2 minutes pantry table ingredients you likely already have stocked in your kitchen.

Table of Contents

  1. Recipe ingredients
  2. Ingredient notes
  3. Instructions
  4. Recipe tips and variations
  5. French Dressing Recipe Recipe

Recipe ingredients

French Dressing Recipe (3)

At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.

Ingredient notes

  • Granulated sugar:The 1 cup sugar in the dressing may sound like a lot, but it tastes just like the ones at Wisconsin supper clubs of my youth (they’d bring a small salad dressing caddy to your table with 4 different kinds of dressing:Ranch,Italian,Thousand Island, andFrench). If you don’t love sweet dressings, start with 2 tablespoons of sugar, taste, and increase if desired. Or, substitute a bottle of store-bought French dressing.
  • Light olive oil:Light olive oil is milder than extra virgin whichallows the other flavor-boosters to shine.
  • Paprika:Use regular paprika (often simply labeled “Paprika” on the package) rather than hot or smoked paprika.

Instructions

  • In a food processor or blender, add sugar, ketchup, olive oil, white vinegar, celery seed, chili powder, dried mustard, onion powder, paprika, and salt to taste (I like 2 teaspoons). Process until smooth and store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
French Dressing Recipe (4)

Recipe tips and variations

  • Yield: This French Dressing recipe makes 2 cups of dressing or 16 (2-tablespoon) servings. If you are making this for a Dorito Taco Salad, you’ll probably only need half the recipe.
  • Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. And I know what you’re thinking: “Everything in this ingredients list is shelf-stable! Why isn’t this dressing shelf-stable, or why can’t it last for a month?” Ingredients interact when they are combined, and without stabilizers and preservatives, it’s just as perishable as any other “leftover.”
  • Make ahead: Feel free to make this homemade up to 3 days in advance. If the dressing begins to separate during this time, give it a shake before drizzling over your salad.
  • Bonus salad pairings: In addition to taco salads, this homemade French Dressing tastes incredible tossed with or drizzled over my Easy Garden Salad, Wedge Salad, or Cobb Salad.
French Dressing Recipe (5)

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French Dressing Recipe (10)

French Dressing Recipe

By Meggan Hill

Skip store-bought salad dressing and blend up your own tangy homemade French Dressing recipe in just 2 minutes. This easy salad dressing is made with all pantry staple ingredients.

Prep Time 1 minute min

Cook Time 1 minute min

Total Time 2 minutes mins

Servings 16 servings (2 tbsp each)

Course Pantry

Cuisine American

Calories 121

4.98 from 244 votes

ReviewPrint

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a food processor or blender, add sugar, ketchup, olive oil, white vinegar, celery seed, chili powder, dried mustard, onion powder, paprika, and salt to taste (I like 2 teaspoons). Process until smooth and store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Recipe Video

Notes

  1. Granulated sugar:The 1 cup sugar in the dressing may sound like a lot, but it tastes just like the ones at Wisconsin supper clubs of my youth (they’d bring a small salad dressing caddy to your table with 4 different kinds of dressing: Ranch,Italian,Thousand Island, andFrench). If you don’t love sweet dressings, start with 2 tablespoons of sugar, taste, and increase if desired. Or, substitute a bottle of store-bought French dressing.
  2. Light olive oil:Light olive oil is milder than extra virgin whichallows the other flavor-boosters to shine.
  3. Paprika:Use regular paprika (often simply labeled “Paprika” on the package) rather than hot or smoked paprika.
  4. Yield: This French Dressing recipe makes 2 cups of dressing or 16 (2-tablespoon) servings. If you are making this for a Dorito Taco Salad, you’ll probably only need half the recipe.
  5. Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. And I know what you’re thinking: “Everything in this ingredients list is shelf-stable! Why isn’t this dressing shelf-stable, or why can’t it last for a month?” Ingredients interact when they are combined, and without stabilizers and preservatives, it’s just as perishable as any other “leftover.”
  6. Make ahead: Feel free to make this homemade up to 3 days in advance. If the dressing begins to separate during this time, give it a shake before drizzling over your salad.
  7. Bonus salad pairings: In addition to taco salads, this homemade French Dressing tastes incredible tossed with or drizzled over my Easy Garden Salad, Wedge Salad, or Cobb Salad.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tbspCalories: 121kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 92mgPotassium: 35mgFiber: 1gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 78IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 1mg

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Meggan Hill

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Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.

French Dressing Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is basic French dressing made of? ›

Place ketchup, onion, mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, garlic powder, and salt in the jar of a blender. Purée until onion is completely chopped. With the motor running, slowly pour in vegetable oil.

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

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.
  • Eggs or mayonnaise.
Jul 16, 2021

What are the ingredients in Great Value French dressing? ›

High Fructose Corn Syrup, Tomato Puree (water, Tomato Paste), Distilled Vinegar, Soybean Oil, Salt, Contains Less Than 2% Water, Modified Food Starch, Phosphoric Acid, Dried Onion, Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum, Natural Flavor, Red 40, Blue 1, Potassium Sorbate And Calcium Disodium Edta (as Preservatives).

What is basic French dressing made with quizlet? ›

Basic French dressing made with. Oil vinegar and seasoning.

What are the rules for French dressing? ›

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is revoking the standard of identity for French dressing. We conclude that the standard no longer promotes honesty and fair dealing in the interest of consumers.

What is the French dressing rule? ›

The French dressing standard allowed for certain flexibility in manufacturers' choice of oil, acidifying ingredients, and seasoning ingredients. Tomatoes or tomato-derived ingredients were among the seasoning ingredients permitted, but not required.

Why did they stop making French dressing? ›

FDA revokes rules on manufacture of French dressing after 70 years. The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday agreed to revoke the decades-old standard of identity for French salad dressing, saying in part that the outdated requirement “no longer promotes honesty and fair dealing.”

What 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's the difference between French dressing and Catalina dressing? ›

French dressing tends to contain more oil and spices, while Catalina has a higher proportion of ketchup. As a result, French dressing is usually lighter in color and a bit creamier than Catalina.

What are the ingredients in Newman's own French dressing? ›

Ingredients. Rapeseed Oil, Water, Sugar, Extra Virgin Olive Oil (8%), Red Wine Vinegar, White Wine Vinegar, Salt, Concentrated Lemon Juice, Garlic Puree, Chives, Parsley, Black Pepper, Stabiliser (Xanthan Gum), Mustard Extract.

How to make James Martin French dressing? ›

Ingredients
  1. 150ml veg oil.
  2. 50ml white wine vinegar.
  3. 1 tbsp Dijon mustard.
  4. Splash of water.

Does French dressing contain mustard? ›

Method. Whisk the Dijon mustard, white wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of sugar, and salt and pepper together in a small bowl, or shake together in a jam jar.

What is the flavor profile of French dressing? ›

French dressing became a popular condiment in the 1950's. It is a creamy salad dressing, varying in color from pale orange to red. It is ketchup based and blended with oil, vinegar and seasonings. The texture is smooth and the flavor is tangy, salty and spicy without heat.

What is Western French dressing? ›

Ken's Western French Dressing is a full-bodied, classic midwestern red French. Creamy and thick with sweet fruity tomato notes, and finished with apple cider vinegar and spice. Brightens up lush green salads, wedge salads, platters and more.

What are the ingredients in California French dressing? ›

Soybean Oil, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Distilled Vinegar, Maltodextrin, Apple Cider Vinegar, Tomato Paste, Water, Contains Less Than 2% Of Salt, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Onion,* Beetroot Juice Concentrate (Color), Xanthan Gum, Oleoresin Paprika (Color), Mustard Flour, Natural Flavor, Calcium Disodium Edta (To Protect ...

What happened to regular French dressing? ›

FDA revokes rules on manufacture of French dressing after 70 years. The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday agreed to revoke the decades-old standard of identity for French salad dressing, saying in part that the outdated requirement “no longer promotes honesty and fair dealing.”

Is French and Catalina dressing the same? ›

Catalina dressing is considered a type of French salad dressing, The main difference between the two is that Catalina dressing tends to be thinner and a brighter shade of red than French dressing.

What is the difference between Catalina dressing and French dressing? ›

French dressing tends to contain more oil and spices, while Catalina has a higher proportion of ketchup. As a result, French dressing is usually lighter in color and a bit creamier than Catalina.

What's the difference between California French and regular French dressing? ›

A. Yes, the California French is a classic Catalina dressing, with bright red colour and notes of sweet tomato, tangy vinegar, and spicy paprika, among other ingredients. However, it has a thinner consistency than a classic French dressing.

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