Easy Homemade French Dressing Recipe (2024)

Published March 6, 2023.This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This easy-to-make homemade French dressing recipe comes together in a matter of minutes and is the perfect complement to any salad. You will love the simple sweet flavors in this vinaigrette.

I love flavorful salad dressings that enhance the flavors of a salad that always has me wanting just one more bite. If you’re the same, then for sure, try out myButtermilk RanchorBalsamic Vinaigrette.

Easy Homemade French Dressing Recipe (1)

French Dressing

French dressing is a simple oil and vinegar-based dressing with herbs and seasonings. The American version of French dressing is also a vinaigrette but is tart, sweet, and red in color due to the ketchup. This is a trendy dressing in the United States and is commonly served on a basic house salad.

This is a sweet dressing, so be sure to add the sugar slowly while tasting it to be sure it is to your liking. You can also add more of the ingredients used in this recipe to enhance those flavors.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Easy Homemade French Dressing Recipe (2)
  • Onion – You can use a white, yellow, or sweet onion in this recipe. You’ll also need a clove of garlic. If you love garlic, feel free to add an additional clove.
  • Vinegar – I used apple cider vinegar. You could also use distilled vinegar.
  • Ketchup – Any good organic ketchup that is on sale will work. You can also use homemade ketchup.
  • Sugar – Granulated sugar will help add a little sweetness to the French dressing.
  • Seasonings – I used a combination of salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and paprika.
  • Oil – Any good neutral flavored oil will work.

How to Make French Dressing from Scratch

Finely grate the onion into a bowl.

Easy Homemade French Dressing Recipe (3)

Also, finely grate the garlic into the same bowl.

Easy Homemade French Dressing Recipe (4)

Add the ketchup, vinegar, hot sauce, Worcestershire, sugar, and paprika to the bowl.

Easy Homemade French Dressing Recipe (5)

Slowly drizzle in the oil while continuing to whisk until it is emulsified.

Easy Homemade French Dressing Recipe (6)

Adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper and serve or store.

Easy Homemade French Dressing Recipe (7)

Make-Ahead and Storage

Make-Ahead:You can make this French dressing recipe up to 3 days ahead.You can serve this immediately, but more flavors will come out with time. In addition, let it sit at room temperature before serving it.

How to Store:Place in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 7 to 10 days.This will not freeze.

Easy Homemade French Dressing Recipe (8)

Chef Notes + Tips

  • Substitute thesugar with honey, maple syrup, or agave if desired.
  • Feel free to useany oil, but I recommend a neutral-flavored oil. You can also blend oils together.
  • Make thisrecipe in a stand mixer with the whisk attachment.
  • Emulsify isjust a fancy culinary term to combine two things that generally wouldn’t go together, like, oil and vinegar.

More Dressing Recipes

  • Lemon Vinaigrette
  • Russian Dressing
  • Greek Dressing
  • Italian Dressing
  • Blue Cheese Dressing

Easy Homemade French Dressing Recipe (9)

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Easy Homemade French Dressing Recipe

Easy Homemade French Dressing Recipe (10)

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5 from 8 votes

This easy-to-make homemade French dressing recipe comes together in minutes and perfectly complements any salad.

Servings: 8

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • ¼ peeled finely grated yellow onion
  • 1 finely grated garlic clove
  • ¾ cup ketchup
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 cup neutral flavored oil
  • Sea salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Finely grate the onion into a bowl.

  • Also finely grate the garlic into the same bowl.

  • Add in the ketchup, vinegar, hot sauce, Worcestershire, sugar, and paprika to the bowl.

  • Slowly drizzle in the oil while continuing to whisk until it is emulsified.

  • Adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper and serve or store.

Notes

Make-Ahead:You can make this lemon dressing recipe up to 3 days ahead.You can serve this immediately, but more flavors will come out with time. In addition, let it sit at room temperature before serving it.

How to Store: Place in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 7 to 10 days.This will not freeze.

Substitute thesugar with honey, maple syrup, or agave if desired.

Feel free to use any oil, but I recommend a neutral-flavored oil. You can also blend oils together.

Make thisrecipe in a stand mixer with the whisk attachment.

Emulsify isjust a fancy culinary term to combine two things that generally wouldn’t go together, like, oil and vinegar.

Nutrition

Calories: 293kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 0.3gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 0.1gSodium: 218mgPotassium: 87mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 239IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 7mgIron: 0.2mg

Course: Salad, salad dressings

Cuisine: American

Author: Chef Billy Parisi

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18 comments

    • Michelle Bruner
    • Easy Homemade French Dressing Recipe (11)

    I live overseas and cannot get French dressing. I have tried different recipes and could never eat them. Finally, I found yours and it is delicious! It’s what I have longed for. Thank you for sharing this!

    Michelle

    • Reply
    • Easy Homemade French Dressing Recipe (12)

        excellent!

        • Reply
      • Roanne
      • Easy Homemade French Dressing Recipe (13)

      I love this recipe! I made it low carb by using sugar free ketchup and monkfruit sweetener. I also made it as written for my husband. He loved it also. I used Avocado oil in both.

      • Reply
      • Easy Homemade French Dressing Recipe (14)

          Anything with neutral flavors

          • Reply
        • Puck Bateman-Roberts
        • Easy Homemade French Dressing Recipe (15)

        Absolutely delicious! I will be saving this recipe for continued use. Considering I have salad every day, it will see a ton of use!! No more store bought for me.

        • Reply
          • Chef Billy Parisi

          thank you for trying this!

          • Reply
        • suzen
        • Easy Homemade French Dressing Recipe (16)

        delicious

        • Reply
        • Easy Homemade French Dressing Recipe (17)

            fantastic!

            • Reply
          • Margherita

          I’m hoping eliminating hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce would be okay with how this turns out.

          • Reply
          • Maggie
          • Easy Homemade French Dressing Recipe (18)

          Tasty and zingy..loved it on my chilled veggies that I had grilled under broiler..

          • Reply
          • Easy Homemade French Dressing Recipe (19)

              Awesome

              • Reply
            • Barbara
            • Easy Homemade French Dressing Recipe (20)

            This was awesome. Loved it!

            • Reply
            • Easy Homemade French Dressing Recipe (21)

                Excellent!

                • Reply
              • carrie
              • Easy Homemade French Dressing Recipe (22)

              This recipe is amazing comes together quick with easy to follow directions, I love garlic so I added an extra clove. My husband loved it, we are done buying bottled French Dressing !

              • Reply
              • Easy Homemade French Dressing Recipe (23)

                  Love this.

                  • Reply
                • Kris Trobaugh
                • Easy Homemade French Dressing Recipe (24)

                Great!

                • Reply
                • Easy Homemade French Dressing Recipe (25)

                    thank you!

                    • Reply
                Easy Homemade 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.

                What is the simplest form of dressing? ›

                Lets start with a vinaigrette. These are the lightest of all dressings. On the simplest level they're merely any kind of acid (think lemon, lime, vinegar etc.) whisked together with oil salt and pepper.

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

                Ingredients
                • 1 cup white sugar.
                • 1 cup vegetable oil.
                • ½ cup ketchup.
                • ½ cup vinegar.
                • 1 small onion, finely chopped.
                • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce.
                • 1 clove garlic.

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

                The basic distinction between the two is that Catalina contains more ketchup, less oil, and usually fewer spices than French dressing, making for a deeper red-orange color. Because French dressing has more oil, it tends to taste creamier and look a paler shade of orange.

                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 the healthiest dressing to put on a salad? ›

                If you like a creamy dressing, try adding Greek yogurt or avocado for healthy, natural fats. Or if you prefer a vinaigrette, consider adding your favorite citrus juice or zest for a pop of color. “I love a quick homemade vinaigrette of olive oil, lemon, fresh garlic and lots of oregano,” Allers notes.

                What is the golden rule of dressing? ›

                You've heard the Golden Rule (2/3 to 1/3 ratio or that third's work better than halves or quarters) is aesthetically pleasing but did you know that you can apply this to styling your clothes, too?

                What is the 1 3 rule of dressing? ›

                Many styling experts use the Golden Ratio, which is more often referred to as the Rule of Thirds, to help balance proportions between various clothing items. The Golden Ratio states that a ratio of ⅓ to ⅔ is the most visually pleasing division in everything from architecture to photography to fashion.

                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 not used in 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 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.

                Are French dressing and Thousand Island the same? ›

                Though both condiments are tomato-based, their recipes differ. The Thousand Island dressing combines ketchup, mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, vinegar, minced onion and garlic. In contrast, the French dressing is composed of olive oil, vinegar, mustard, ketchup, sugar, and paprika, among other seasonings.

                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 is basic French dressing made with quizlet? ›

                Basic French dressing made with. Oil vinegar and seasoning.

                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.”

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

                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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