How to make vinaigrettes and dressings (2024)

Shop-bought dressings can be expensive and often contain ingredients that may turn your healthy, low-calorie salad into quite the opposite.

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Once you know the ratios for a homemade dressing, you can experiment away to your heart's content and determine exactly what you want in yours. Plus, you'll always have exactly what you need right there in your storecupboard.

The classic vinaigrette

A classic French vinaigrette is three parts oil to one part vinegar. As a basic recipe, you can start with the following, simply mixing it in a jam jar:

120ml olive oil
40ml white wine vinegar
Seasoning

From here you can switch up the ratios depending on your taste. Some prefer a more vinegary flavour. If so, bump up the vinegar and add less oil.

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Oils

How to make vinaigrettes and dressings (1)

Using different oils can really change the flavour of your dressing. Mild olive oil or rapeseed oil is a good start if you're adding a host of other ingredients and you want them to shine. Alternatively, choose a stronger flavoured oil like sesame for an Asian-inspired salad or walnut for a nutty taste. Diluting these with a milder flavour oil will stop them being overpowering.

Vinegars

In addition to white wine vinegar, red wine, sherry, balsamic and cider vinegars can all be used in the same quantities as above. It's really down to personal taste and it's great to have a selection of vinegars in your cupboard to give variety to even the simplest salads.

Flavourings

How to make vinaigrettes and dressings (2)

There are now a whole host of flavours you can add to your vinaigrette:

Lemon juice or zest - if you're using lemon juice, you may want to use less vinegar to avoid a tart dressing.

Sugar, honey, maple syrup or agave syrup - again if you find you're dressing is a little tart, a pinch of sugar or drizzle of honey or syrup can take the edge off it.

Fresh herbs - any of your favourite herbs will work. Finely chop leafy herbs like coriander, basil, parsley, tarragon or sage or add large sprigs of woody herbs like rosemary and thyme and allow to infuse for a while.

Mustard - any of the mustards make a delicious addition, a small amount of English is a traditional choice. Course grainy mustard and a bit of honey is another classic combination.

Crushed garlic or finely chopped shallots - add these for a punchier flavour.

Soy sauce or Thai sweet chilli sauce - try one or other for an Asian salad. Soy also adds a savoury depth of flavour.

Creamy dressings

Mayonnaise is a great base for a creamy dressing, let it down with a little water to make it pourable. Add crushed garlic and grated Parmesan for a Caesar-style dressing.

Houmous or tahini mixed with a pouring natural yogurt , lemon juice or water also work well for a healthy and creamy dressing with a little Middle Eastern flair. Add garlic and seasoning and sweeten with a little honey if you like.

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Do you have a signature dressing? Share your favourite ingredients below...

How to make vinaigrettes and dressings (2024)

FAQs

What is basic vinaigrette made of? ›

The French have decided that the perfect ratio for a vinaigrette is 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar. For my personal taste, that's a little too oily — but it's totally up to you.

Which vinegar is best for vinaigrette? ›

In addition to white wine vinegar, red wine, sherry, balsamic and cider vinegars can all be used in the same quantities as above. It's really down to personal taste and it's great to have a selection of vinegars in your cupboard to give variety to even the simplest salads.

What is the simplest form of dressing? ›

With just five basic ingredients, balsamic vinaigrette is one of the easiest homemade salad dressings to prepare in a pinch. It has a sweet yet savory flavor that works well in just about any salad, making it one of the most versatile options available.

What is the ratio of oil to vinegar when making a vinaigrette? ›

Here is a perfect example of a culinary ratio, one that's fairly standard: The 3-to-1 vinaigrette, or 3 parts oil, 1 part vinegar.

What is the most basic formula for making a vinaigrette? ›

2 Ingredients: The basics

Traditional vinaigrette recipes call for a ratio of three parts oil to one part vinegar. However, some people—like me—prefer their dressings to pack more punch and choose a 2:1 oil-to-vinegar ratio.

What oil is best for vinaigrette? ›

The Oils. Generally speaking, any oils labeled "vegetable oil" or "salad oil" are fine for making a basic vinaigrette. You could also use any light, neutral-flavored oil like safflower, canola, or soybean oil. One of the most common variations is to substitute olive oil for salad oil.

What is the healthiest salad dressing? ›

Generally speaking, the healthiest salad dressing will be a vinaigrette like balsamic or oil and vinegar, while Caesar, ranch or anything with the word “creamy” will be the unhealthiest. The exception? We like products made with healthy swaps—think Greek yogurt in place of mayo or heavy cream.

What kind of vinegar goes with olive oil? ›

Baklouti Olive Oil – Tastes great with the following balsamic vinegars: Premium White, Cinnamon Pear, Premium 12 Year Aged, Lavender, Black Current, Jalapeño, Serrano Honey, Organic, Oregano, and Sicilian Lemon.

What is the golden rule of dressing? ›

Whether you're choosing a suit or a casual hoodie, applying the Golden Ratio by proportioning your outfit into one-third top and two-thirds bottom, or vice versa, can significantly elevate your look.

What is the 1 3 rule of dressing? ›

Fashion is also a visual medium, and while we don't divide our outfits in 9 equal sections, applying the Rule of Thirds requires diving our outfit in three equal parts to visually create a ratio of 2:1. This ratio is basically the Golden Mean, simplified.

What are the three 3 kinds of dressing? ›

In Western culture, there are three basic types of salad dressing: Vinaigrette; Creamy dressings, usually based on mayonnaise or fermented milk products, such as yogurt, sour cream (crème fraîche, smetana), buttermilk; Cooked dressings, which resemble creamy dressings, but are usually thickened by adding egg yolks and ...

What is classic vinaigrette made of? ›

The traditional French vinaigrette formula calls for 1 tablespoon vinegar for every 3 tablespoons olive oil. Modern vinaigrettes often call for a bit more vinegar than that, but it's always up to you.

How long does homemade vinaigrette last? ›

Homemade vinaigrettes that include fresh or cooked vegetables (like garlic), herbs and fresh citrus juices will last around three days, according to Ziata. Preservative-free vinaigrettes you'll typically find in the refrigerated section of the grocery store will last a little longer, three to five days.

What is the best vinegar for salad dressing? ›

White wine vinegar: is best for salad mixes based on escarole, romaine and chicory salads. 3. Balsamic vinegar or sherry vinegar: very aromatic with a sweet note.

What are the two fundamental ingredients used to make a vinaigrette? ›

ACID: Traditionally, vinaigrettes are made with vinegar, often one derived from wine. But any kind of acidic ingredient can fill in, including citrus juice, tomato puree or soy sauce. OIL: The oil in a vinaigrette can be neutral, such as grapeseed, or nutty, such as walnut.

What's the difference between balsamic vinaigrette and regular vinaigrette? ›

A balsamic vinaigrette typically involves adding oil, sugar, and/or mustard to balsamic vinegar, along with seasonings like garlic, salt, and pepper. While it can be made in a way that makes it healthier than several other salad dressing options, it can't compare to simply using the vinegar and oil.

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