Best 8 Traditional French Salad Dressing Recipes

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In the realm of culinary delights, few dressings can match the elegance and versatility of a traditional French salad dressing. With its origins in the heart of French cuisine, this dressing has become a staple in kitchens around the world, adding a touch of sophistication to a wide range of salads. Whether you prefer a classic vinaigrette, a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing, or a tangy mustard vinaigrette, this article presents a collection of French salad dressing recipes that cater to every palate. From the simplicity of a basic vinaigrette to the luxuriousness of a creamy dressing infused with herbs and spices, these recipes offer a symphony of flavors that will elevate your salads to new heights.

**Recipes:**

1. **Basic Vinaigrette:**

This timeless recipe forms the foundation of many French salad dressings. With its perfect balance of acidity and oil, a basic vinaigrette is incredibly versatile, complementing a wide variety of salads from crisp greens to roasted vegetables.

2. **Creamy Mustard Vinaigrette:**

This dressing adds a touch of richness and tang to your salads. The combination of creamy mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and vinegar creates a luscious dressing that pairs perfectly with hearty salads such as grilled chicken or steak salads.

3. **Herb Vinaigrette:**

Enhance your salads with the vibrant flavors of fresh herbs. This recipe incorporates a medley of herbs like parsley, chives, and tarragon, infusing the dressing with a herbaceous aroma and a refreshing taste that complements grilled fish or seafood salads.

4. **Honey Mustard Dressing:**

For a sweet and tangy twist, try this honey mustard dressing. The combination of honey, Dijon mustard, and mayonnaise creates a delectable dressing that pairs well with salads featuring roasted vegetables or fruits.

5. **Caesar Dressing:**

Indulge in the classic flavors of Caesar salad with this homemade dressing. Made with a blend of mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce, this dressing is rich, creamy, and bursting with umami, perfectly complementing romaine lettuce and croutons.

6. **Blue Cheese Dressing:**

This dressing adds a bold and flavorful touch to your salads. Crumbled blue cheese, mayonnaise, and buttermilk combine to create a creamy and tangy dressing that is perfect for salads with grilled meats or roasted vegetables.

7. **Walnut Vinaigrette:**

Experience the nutty and earthy flavors of walnuts in this vinaigrette. Toasted walnuts, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar come together to create a dressing that adds a delightful crunch and a rich flavor to salads featuring roasted beets or grilled chicken.

8. **Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette:**

Add a Mediterranean flair to your salads with this sun-dried tomato vinaigrette. Sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, and red wine vinegar blend harmoniously to create a vibrant and flavorful dressing that complements salads featuring grilled shrimp or roasted vegetables.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

BASIC FRENCH VINAIGRETTE



Basic French Vinaigrette image

Provided by Kemp Minifie

Categories     No-Cook     Vegetarian     Quick & Easy     Salad Dressing     Vegan     Shallot

Yield Makes about 1/2 cup

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 tablespoons finely chopped shallots
2 tablespoons red- or white-wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt, or to taste
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
4 to 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the shallots, vinegar, and 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt; let the mixture stand 10 minutes. Whisk in the mustard, then add the oil in a very slow, thin, steady stream, whisking constantly until the dressing is emulsified. Season with fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. DO AHEAD: The vinaigrette can be prepared ahead and refrigerated, in an airtight container, up to 1 week.

FRENCH SALAD DRESSING



French Salad Dressing image

Traditional, rich salad dressing with a tangy flavor.

Provided by Gemini26

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Salad Dressing Recipes     French Dressing Recipes

Time 10m

Yield 26

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 ½ cups vegetable oil
1 cup ketchup
¾ cup white sugar
½ cup vinegar
1 small onion, chopped
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Place oil, ketchup, sugar, vinegar, onion, lemon juice, paprika, and salt into a blender; cover and puree until smooth. Store in refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 143.9 calories, Carbohydrate 8.4 g, Fat 12.6 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 0.2 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Sodium 147.7 mg, Sugar 8 g

FRENCH DRESSING



French dressing image

Spruce up a simple green salad with a French dressing. Made with olive oil, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard and seasoning, it's quick and easy to make

Provided by Miriam Nice

Categories     Condiment

Time 5m

Yield Serves 2-3

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 tsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp white wine vinegar
6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
a pinch of sugar

Steps:

  • 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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 87 calories, Fat 10 grams fat, SaturatedFat 1 grams saturated fat, Protein 0.1 grams protein, Sodium 0.09 milligram of sodium

SALADE LYONNAISE



Salade Lyonnaise image

Whether Lyon ever was the gastronomic capital of France is debatable, but it sure has spawned some great dishes, including salade Lyonnaise, not the most simple salad ever made but one that approaches perfection in a way others do not. The combination of bitter greens (traditionally frisée, though escarole, dandelion, and arugula all work beautifully), crisp bacon, barely cooked eggs and warm vinaigrette is really unbeatable.

Provided by Mark Bittman

Categories     easy, quick, salads and dressings

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

4 cups torn frisée or other strong-tasting greens, washed and dried
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
About 1/2 pound good slab bacon or pancetta, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 shallot, chopped, or 1 tablespoon chopped red onion
2 to 4 tablespoons top-quality sherry vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Salt
4 eggs
Black pepper

Steps:

  • Put frisée or other greens in large salad bowl. Put olive oil in skillet over medium heat. When hot, add bacon and cook slowly until crisp all over, about 10 minutes. Add shallot or onion and cook until softened, a minute or two. Add vinegar and mustard to the skillet and bring just to a boil, stirring, then turn off heat.
  • Meanwhile, bring about an inch of salted water to a boil in a small, deep skillet, then lower heat to barely bubbling. One at a time, break eggs into a shallow bowl and slip them into the bubbling water. Cook eggs for 3 to 5 minutes, just until the white is set and the yolk has filmed over. Remove each egg with a slotted spoon and drain briefly on paper towel.
  • If necessary, gently reheat dressing, then pour over greens (they should wilt just a bit), toss and season with salt and pepper to taste. Top each portion with an egg and serve immediately. (Each person gets to break the egg.)

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 382, UnsaturatedFat 22 grams, Carbohydrate 6 grams, Fat 34 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 14 grams, SaturatedFat 10 grams, Sodium 493 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams, TransFat 0 grams

CLASSIC FRENCH VINAIGRETTE



Classic French Vinaigrette image

Simple, bright flavors are the hallmark of this vinaigrette. Toss it with tender, leafy greens and serve as a light side salad.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Cuisine-Inspired Recipes     French Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/2 shallot, minced
1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Generous pinch of salt
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1-2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Combine in a large bowl or jar the shallot, Dijon mustard, salt, lemon juice, and red-wine vinegar. Whisk together to combine well. Slowly whisk in 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Store jar in refrigerator if making ahead and shake well before using.
  • Serve with 2 large heads Bibb, butter, or romaine lettuce that has been washed and dried well. Tear lettuce leaves into bite-size pieces and toss with dressing.

FRENCH SALAD DRESSING



French Salad Dressing image

French Salad Dressing is a popular topper for lettuce. Says field editor Jane Barta of St. Thomas, North Dakota, "We used this dressing at a drive-in and sold a lot of salads."

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 15m

Yield about 3-1/3 cups.

Number Of Ingredients 8

1-1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 cup ketchup
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup vinegar
1 small onion, chopped
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • In a blender or food processor, blend all ingredients until smooth. Store in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 144 calories, Fat 13g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 155mg sodium, Carbohydrate 9g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein.

TRADITIONAL FRENCH SALAD DRESSING



Traditional French Salad Dressing image

This is not the orange-coloured dressing available in the stores; this is a traditional French vinaigrette I learned how to make from a friend. **This recipe will make enough dressing for a medium-sized lettuce-only salad for three.**

Provided by rjwingard

Categories     Salad Dressings

Time 15m

Yield 3 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove (smashed and chopped)
1/3 shallot (diced)
1 sardine fillet
1/3 cup vinegar

Steps:

  • Create a salad as you normally would (cooking the meat, chopping vegetables, etc.).
  • Run the garlic, shallot and sardine through a food processor until it is smooth.
  • Add the olive oil and vinegar to the puree and beat together with a fork.
  • Drizzle over fresh lettuce (and other vegetables/meats if you've added them) serve immediately or within the hour.
  • Optional: Top with fresh parmesan cheese before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 644.3, Fat 72, SaturatedFat 9.9, Sodium 2.4, Carbohydrate 0.7, Protein 0.1

CLASSIC FRENCH DRESSING



Classic French Dressing image

Making salad dressings at home is very easy! This recipe has many pantry staples so it is easy to whip up any time. It tastes wonderful on any greens.-Maron Craig Bielovitz, Elmhurst, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 10m

Yield 1-2/3 cups.

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/2 cup ketchup
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup white vinegar
1 small onion, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon paprika
1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil

Steps:

  • In a blender or food processor, combine the first seven ingredients; cover and process until blended. While processing, gradually add the oil in a steady stream. Process until thickened. Store in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 100 calories, Fat 8g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 186mg sodium, Carbohydrate 8g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein.

Tips:

  • Use the best ingredients you can find. Fresh, high-quality ingredients will make a big difference in the taste of your dressing.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment. There are many different ways to make a French dressing, so feel free to adjust the ingredients to suit your own taste.
  • Make your dressing ahead of time. This will give the flavors time to meld and develop.
  • Store your dressing in a jar or bottle in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
  • Use your dressing on salads, vegetables, grilled meats, or fish. It's also great as a marinade.

Conclusion:

French dressing is a versatile and delicious dressing that can be used on a variety of dishes. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. So next time you're looking for a new dressing to try, give French dressing a try. You won't be disappointed.

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