Vinaigrette Salad Dressing

Name: Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
Prep time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1/4 cup good vinegar - I use Champagne but sherry or balsamic is fine; 2/3 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 1/2 clove garlic - finely minced or 2 teaspoons minced shallots; 2 teaspoons honey; 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil; 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Pantry Staple Ingredients – The best part is that you probably already have everything you need! With just some vinegar, oil, and a little Dijon mustard, you’re ready to go. It’s that simple.

Excellent Flavor – I’ve tried every brand of vinaigrette dressing on the shelves, and almost all lack flavor. Making a simple vinaigrette dressing from scratch means we can pack in all the flavor that those store-bought dressings lack.

Budget-Friendly – Store-bought dressings can be pricey and often come with unnecessary additives. But when you make your own, you’re getting a high-quality, delicious vinaigrette for less than $3, using the oils and vinegars you love most!

Vinaigrette Salad Dressing Ingredients

Ingredients for homemade vinaigrett dressing in glass containers.

Grab your favorite good-quality extra virgin olive oil and vinegar. I prefer to use champagne vinegar, but white wine vinegar, sherry vinegar, or balsamic vinegar will also work.

For flavor, you’ll need salt, Dijon mustard, fresh garlic, and black pepper (fresh ground is preferred).

My American-style vinaigrette uses honey for a bit of sweetness because the olive oil in stores here is usually lower quality and thus more bitter. The honey balances this. But the better your olive oil, the less honey you’ll need.

Recipe Variations

Italian: Add 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
Smokey: Add 1 tablespoon of chili powder or 1 teaspoon of chipotle powder for smokey heat.
Berry: Like my Blueberry Vinaigrette, fresh berries like raspberries and strawberries work beautifully.
Shallots: Finely mince shallots and mix them into the dressing.
Citrus: Swap half of the vinegar for lemon or orange juice, or add the zest.
Fresh Herbs: This might be my all-time favorite way to add extra flavor. I love chopped chives, basil, and thyme.

Basic Vinaigrette Recipe Directions

Photo 1 - vinegar, mustard, garlic, salt and pepper for base of dressing, Photo 2 - olive oil being whisked in the dressing.

In a medium bowl, add vinegar, salt, mustard, honey, and garlic, and sit for 5 minutes. Whisk ingredients until blended.

Slowly add the oil in a stream while whisking until an emulsion forms. The vinaigrette will become golden yellow. Taste and adjust the seasoning, including the oil and vinegar.

How Long Does Olive Oil Vinaigrette Last?

You can store this in the fridge for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container. Just shake it before serving again. I like to keep mine in a sealed mason jar.

Small glass jar of homemade vinaigrette dressing served with a spoon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different sweetener?

Yes, maple syrup will also work. I wouldn’t use granulated sugar because the dressing won’t emulsify. If using maple syrup, try using apple cider vinegar for all the fall favors.

What is the perfect ratio of oil to vinegar for dressings?

This is a personal preference to some extent, but generally, 1 part acid to 3 parts oil is the most widely used ratio. I use this ratio for all my dressings.

Serving Suggestions

Spoonful of homemade dressing being drizzled on a fresh green salad.

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