How to Make Vinaigrette Salad Dressing Recipes

Many people learn how to make vinaigrette salad dressing recipes because they think they are healthier. This may be true depending on what you are comparing it to. Vinaigrette dressings have a base of some type of vinegar. Most of the time these recipes will also contain some type of oil or other fats. Vinaigrettes are typically lighter and can be very flavorful.


After I learned how to make vinaigrette salad dressing recipes, I have experimented with all kinds of ingredients. One of my very favorite dressings is the Thai peanut dressing below. Although the fat is in the peanut butter, it is still very light.  I cut greens very thinly and then toss them with the dressing. So delicious!

How to Make Vinaigrette Salad Dressing RecipesHow to Make Vinaigrette Salad Dressing Recipes

I have tried so many French vinaigrette salad dressings. Most of these (But not always) contain some form of tomato like sauce or ketchup. The difference in these is in the various spices and herbs. Some recipes are much spicier than others. I cannot say I like one more than the other. It depends what I am eating it with and what taste I want. For instance, if the main meal is spicy Mexican than I will have a flavorful but less spicy salad.


Before I first learned how to make vinaigrette salad dressing recipes, my dressings were pretty bland. At this time I was partial to the creamier ones. After I learned to add many different fresh and dried herbs and spices, I could not believe the wonderful flavors which resulted. A little onion and garlic in vinaigrette dressings add so much flavor without overwhelming the lightness. 


Let us not forget about the wonderful recipes which contain fruit and fruit juices. These are so good on salad greens and also over fresh fruit salads. Seeds like poppy and celery are often added to these and really enhance the fruit as well as salad greens. Try seeds in all your vinaigrettes.


By the way, these dressings are usually so easy to mix together. Most of the time you can simply combine the ingredients in a glass jar with a lid and shake it up. You can also combine them in your blender or food processor. Usually it only takes 30 seconds to mix everything together.

ZESTY FRENCH SALAD DRESSING RECIPE

Zesty French Salad Dressing RecipeZesty French Salad Dressing Recipe

Learn how to make vinaigrette salad dressing recipes with “zing”.

  • 1 Small chopped onion
  • 2/3 Cup vegetable oil
  • ½ Cup sugar
  • 1/3 Cup vinegar
  • 2 Tablespoon ketchup
  • 1 ½ Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 ½ Teaspoons salt
  • 1 Teaspoon prepared mustard
  • 1 Teaspoon paprika
  • ½ Teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ Teaspoon celery seeds

COMBINE all ingredients in a food processor; process until smooth and thickened.

Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour; shake well before serving.

Zesty French Salad Dressing RecipeZesty French Salad Dressing Recipe

FRENCH DRESSING RECIPE

When you learn how to make vinaigrette salad dressing recipes, many French will contain tomato sauce or ketchup.

  • 1 Can tomato sauce
  • 1 Small grated onion
  • 1 Tablespoon celery seed
  • 1/3 Cup catsup
  • 1 Teaspoon salt
  • ¼ Teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ Cup sugar
  • ¾ cup vinegar
  • Dash Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 Cups vegetable oil
  • ½ Teaspoon dry mustard

COMBINE all ingredients and blend well.

HOW TO MAKE VINAIGRETTE SALAD DRESSING RECIPE that is an EASY FRENCH DRESSING

Easy French Dressing RecipeEasy French Dressing Recipe

Learn how to make vinaigrette salad dressings like this French without any tomato ingredients.

  • 1 Tablespoon grated onion
  • 1 Clove minced garlic
  • ½ Teaspoon paprika
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh tarragon
  • ¼ Teaspoon dry mustard
  • Dash cayenne pepper
  • ¾ Cup olive oil
  • 1 Teaspoon salt
  • 1 Tablespoon sugar
  • ¼ Cup vinegar

COMBINE all ingredients in blender; process until smooth and well blended.

Easy French Dressing RecipeEasy French Dressing Recipe

THAI PEANUT SALAD DRESSING RECIPE

Learn how to make vinaigrette salad dressing recipes using peanut butter as the fat.

  • 1 Cup honey
  • 4 Tablespoons soy sauce
  • 6 Tablespoons cider vinegar
  • ½ Teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 8 Tablespoons peanut butter
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh grated ginger
  • 4 Tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

COMBINE all ingredients in food processor; process until smooth and serve over greens.

CRANBERRY VINAIGRETTE RECIPE

  • ½ Cup fresh cranberries
  • 1/3 Cup tarragon vinegar
  • 2/3 cup orange juice
  • 2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 3 Minced green onions
  • ½ Teaspoon salt
  • ½ Teaspoon pepper
  • ½ Cup olive oil

Bring cranberries and orange juice to a boil over medium high heat; cook 5 minutes.

Drain cranberries reserving juice; set aside.

Return juice to pan and boil 5 minutes; process juice with vinegar, mustard, onions, salt and pepper in blender.

Slowly add oil to blender process until well blended; stir in cranberries.

Cool to room temperature before serving.

MEXICAN SALAD DRESSING RECIPE

Learn how to make vinaigrette salad dressing to try on many bean or rice salads.

  • ½ Cup olive oil
  • ½ Cup red wine vinegar
  • ¼ Cup orange juice
  • 1 ½ Tablespoons sugar
  • 4 Teaspoons dried oregano
  • 4 Teaspoons cumin
  • 3 Drops hot pepper sauce
  • 2/3 Cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 Clove minced garlic

COMBINE all ingredients in glass jar with lid; shake vigorously.

POPPY SEED DRESSING RECIPE

Poppy Seed Dressing RecipePoppy Seed Dressing Recipe

I learned how to make vinaigrette salad dressing recipes using various seeds.

  • ¾ Cup sugar
  • 1 ½ Teaspoons onion salt
  • 1 Teaspoon ground mustard
  • 1/3 cup vinegar
  • 1 Cup vegetable oil
  • 1 Tablespoon poppy seeds

COMBINE in food processor; process until well blended.

Stir in poppy seeds; cover and refrigerate.

Serve with fresh fruit or salad greens.

PARMESAN SALAD DRESSING RECIPE

When you learn how to make vinaigrette salad dressings, you will probably want to add different cheese sometimes.

  • ½ Cup olive oil
  • ¼ Cup tarragon vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 Can (101/2 ounces) chicken broth
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
  • ½ Teaspoon dried basil
  • 2 Cloves minced garlic
  • ¼ Cup grated Parmesan cheese

COMBINE in a covered jar; shake to blend well.

Refrigerate dressing for 1 hour before serving; shake again before pouring on salad.

SIMPLE FRENCH DRESSING RECIPE

  • ¼ Cup vinegar
  • ¼ cup catsup
  • ½ Cup olive oil
  • 5 Teaspoons sugar

COMBINE and blend well; store in refrigerator.

COLESLAW DRESSING RECIPE

Sometimes I use a lighter dressing for coleslaw rather than a heavy creamy one since I learned how to make vinaigrette salad dressing recipes.

  • 1 Cup cider vinegar
  • ¾ Cup olive oil
  • 1 Teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1 Teaspoon celery seeds
  • 1 Teaspoon salt

Combine in saucepan and bring to a boil.

TO MAKE SLAW shred 1 head cabbage fine; add 1 chopped onion and 1 red bell pepper.

Sprinkle vegetables with 1 cup sugar; pour boiling dressing over veggies (Do not stir).

Cover and refrigerate overnight; 16 servings (1/2 cup).

CITRUS DRESSING RECIPE

Learn how to make vinaigrette salad dressing recipes using fruit juices. So delicious!

  • 1 Teaspoon grated orange peel
  • 2 Tablespoons orange juice
  • 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 4 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh basil
  • ¼ Teaspoon salt

COMBINE all ingredients in jar with lid; shake well and pour over greens.

GREEK SALAD DRESSING RECIPE

  • 2 Cloves minced garlic
  • 2 Tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 8 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 Teaspoon dried oregano 
  • ½ Teaspoon salt
  • ¼ Teaspoon pepper

COMBINE all ingredients in glass jar; seal with lid and shake vigorously.

BASIC VINAIGRETTE SALAD DRESSING RECIPE

  • ¾ Cup cooking oil
  • ¼ Cup white wine vinegar
  • 1 ½ Teaspoons seasoned salt
  • ¼ Teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 Teaspoon dry mustard
  • ¼ Teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ Teaspoon dried basil

COMBINE all ingredients in a glass jar; secure lid tightly and shake to blend well.

HERB VINAIGRETTE SALAD DRESSING RECIPE

  • ½ Cup vegetable oil
  • 2 Tablespoons minced onion
  • 2 Teaspoons salt
  • ½ Teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ Teaspoon dry mustard
  • ½ Teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ Teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ Teaspoon sugar
  • ¼ Cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ Teaspoon black pepper

COMBINE all ingredients in food processor; process until blended about 30 seconds.

CHILI SAUCE SALAD DRESSING RECIPE

  • ¾ Cup sugar
  • ½ Cup water
  • 1 Teaspoon grated onion
  • 1 Teaspoon paprika
  • 1 Teaspoon salt
  • 1 Teaspoon lemon juice
  • 3 Tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 1 Cup chili sauce
  • 1 Cup vegetable oil

Combine sugar and water in saucepan; cook for 5 minutes.

Add remaining ingredients and beat well; cover and refrigerate.

CHUTNEY SALAD DRESSING RECIPE

  • 1 Cup vegetable oil
  • ½ Cup cider vinegar
  • 1 Teaspoon salt
  • 1 Clove minced garlic
  • 1 Cup fine chutney

COMBINE all ingredients in a glass jar; cover and shake vigorously.

CELERY SEED DRESSING RECIPE

  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 1 Cup vegetable oil
  • 4 Tablespoons vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon grated onion
  • 1 Teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 Teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1 Teaspoon celery seeds
  • 1 Clove minced garlic
  • 1 Teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 Teaspoon pepper

COMBINE all ingredients in glass jar; shake vigorously and refrigerate overnight before serving.

ROQUEFORT SALAD DRESSING RECIPE

  • ½ Pound Roquefort cheese
  • 3 Hard cooked eggs (Separate yolks from whites)
  • 1 Teaspoon minced onion
  • 1 Clove minced garlic
  • 1 Teaspoon sugar
  • ¼ Cup vinegar
  • 2 Cups vegetable oil
  • 1 Teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Make a dry paste with the cheese, yolks, onion and garlic using a fork; add sugar, vinegar and Worcestershire sauce.

Add to the mixture chopped egg WHITES and oil; mix thoroughly.

CAESAR SALAD DRESSING RECIPE

  • 2 Cloves minced garlic
  • 1 Can flat anchovies
  • 1 Raw egg
  • Pinch dry mustard
  • ½ Cup olive oil
  • ¼ Cup red wine vinegar
  • Salt/pepper

COMBINE all ingredients in blender; process until blended and serve immediately.

NOTE: Not recommended to keep leftovers because of raw egg.