French Dressing Recipe (2024)

Meggan Hill

• Updated

4.98 from 243 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)

Delicious salad ideas

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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 243 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? ›

French dressing is a food defined by the Food and Drug Administration, which means there's an official recipe of sorts. It's defined as a blend or emulsion of vegetable oil, vinegar or lemon juice, and any of the following optional ingredients: Salt.

How to make French dressing Jamie Oliver? ›

FRENCH DRESSING

Peel and finely chop ¼ of a clove of garlic. Put the garlic, 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons of white or red wine vinegar and 6 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil into a jam jar with a pinch of sea salt and black pepper. Put the lid on the jar and shake well.

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

Catalina is often considered a subset of French dressing, with most of the same ingredients — ketchup, oil, vinegar, sugar, and other seasonings — but in different proportions. French dressing tends to contain more oil and spices, while Catalina has a higher proportion of ketchup.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

What are the different types of French dressing? ›

French Salad Dressings: 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.

What's another name for French dressing? ›

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

What is in Dorothy Lynch dressing? ›

Ingredients: Tomato Soup (Water, Tomato Paste, Modified Cornstarch, Distilled White Vinegar, Salt, Rice Flour, Sodium Benzoate added as a preservative, Citric Acid, Onion Powder), Sugar, Soybean Oil, Vinegar, Salt, Spices, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate to maintain freshness, Nisin (Natural Preservative).

What is California French dressing? ›

Ken's California French Dressing is a classic red Catalina-style French. Moderate-bodied with a vivid red color. Sweet tomato notes are combined with a mild vinegar tang and subtle spicing. Brightens up lush green salads, wedge salad, veggie plates—adds tang to coleslaw too.

Is French dressing better for you than ranch? ›

Ranch and French dressing were ranked the unhealthiest options of the bunch because of their high sodium (260 milligrams and 240 milligrams, respectively) and fat content (14 grams in ranch including 2.5 grams saturated fat, and 15 grams in French with 1 gram saturated fat).

Is Thousand Island dressing French dressing? ›

No, the Thousand Island dressing is different from French dressing on a fundamental level. Though both condiments are tomato-based, their recipes differ. The Thousand Island dressing combines ketchup, mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, vinegar, minced onion and garlic.

Is Italian dressing healthier than French dressing? ›

As you can see, Italian dressing is generally the most calorie-dense, with French and honey mustard close behind. In terms of sugars, honey mustard packs the most, with 6 grams of sugar in a single 2 tablespoon serving! French dressing also loads the sugar into the same size serving.

What is basic French dressing made with quizlet? ›

Basic French dressing made with. Oil vinegar and seasoning.

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'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.

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

American “French” dressing is a orang colored, sweet salad dressing using ketchup, sugar and paprika. My mayonnaise is simply Olive oil, lemon juice and egg yolks season with Kosher salt and freshly ground, fine black pepper.

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