French Dressing Recipe (2024)

Updated: By Katie Crenshaw 14 Comments

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This creamy French dressing recipe is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy making it a delicious topping for your favorite salads.

It is much more flavorful than the store bought version and can easily be made in 2 minutes with staple ingredients you are likely to have on hand.

French Dressing Recipe (1)

French dressing is an incredible tasty salad dressing, but it also makes a fantastic barbecue sauce for chicken, pork chops. and ribs!

Try it next time you grill your favorite meats!

Watch how to make French dressing

French Dressing Recipe (2)

What is French dressing made of?

This homemade French dressing is made with the following ingredients:

  • ketchup-There are other recipes that use tomato paste or tomato puree. If you were to use either, you would need to add sugar. I find the ketchup is creamy and thick. It does a good job emulsifying with the olive oil.
  • honey- Some recipes use sugar and sometimes the sugar does not break down properly. I find the honey blends well, adds the perfect balance of sweet, and thickens the dressing beautifully.
  • onion powder
  • apple cider vinegar- Apple cider vinegar is best, but you can substitute with white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar.
  • light olive oil or regular olive oil- Light olive oil is milder in flavor than extra virgin olive oil and lighter in color. Extra virgin olive oil is a better quality olive oil, however, it can overpower the flavor of the dressing. You can also substitute with vegetable oil.
  • paprika-Use regular paprika. Do not use smoked paprika.
  • celery seed- I love the flavor the celery seed adds, but if you cannot find celery seed, you can substitute with celery salt.
French Dressing Recipe (3)

How do you make it?

Making French dressing is easy. Just add the ingredients to a food processor or blender and process until smooth.

To make by hand, add ingredients to a mason jar and shake several times until emulsified.

Note:

Making dressing by hand may not emulsify as well as making it in the blender or food processor and may result in a thinner dressing.

How long does it last?

Vinegar based dressings last up to 3 weeks in an air tight container stored in a refrigerator. However the flavors are best if used within a week.

If you substitute onion powder with fresh onion, use within 5 days.

French Dressing Recipe (4)

Salad Pairings

This salad dressing is delicious on any of your favorite garden salads. However, try it also on these salad variations:

  • Grilled Romaine lettuce with blue cheese, tomatoes, and bacon.
  • Mexican taco salad- Skip the chipotle ranch and try this sweet version instead. It surprisingly compliments the ground beef, beans, corn, and cheese!
  • Spinach salad with tomatoes, boiled eggs, bacon, and red onion
  • Grilled chicken salad
  • Large thick summer tomatoes and red onions
  • Cobb Salad
  • It is delicious on arugula and endive lettuce as well.

Try some of these homemade dressings also!

  • Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing
  • Greek Salad Dressing
  • DIY Ranch Dry Seasoning Mix
  • Creamy Parmesan Salad Dressing
  • Copy Cat Olive Garden Salad Dressing
  • Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette

Did you like this salad dressing recipe?Please leave me a comment below if you make it and tell me what you thought.I would love to hear back, and so would my readers.

Also post your picture of your French Dressing onInstagramorFacebook, and tag @aforkstale with #aforkstale hashtag!I will share with my followers! xoxo!

Recipe

French Dressing Recipe (5)

French Dressing Recipe

This creamy French dressing recipe is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy making it a delicious topping for your favorite salads. It is much more flavorful than the store bought version and can easily be made in 2 minutes with staple ingredients you are likely to have on hand.

4.70 from 23 votes

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Course: Salad Dressing

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes

Total Time: 2 minutes minutes

Servings: 16 (2 tablespoons each)

Calories: 143kcal

Author: Katie Crenshaw

Equipment

  • food processor or blender

Ingredients

  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1 cup honey
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ½ cup regular or light olive oil you can substitute with vegetable oil
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon celery seed you can substitute with celery salt
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Add 1 cup ketchup, 1 cup honey, ½ cup apple cider vinegar, ½ cup regular olive oil, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon paprika, and ½ teaspoon celery seed in a food processor or blender.

  • Process until smooth. Salt and pepper to taste.

Video

Notes

I do not suggest using extra virgin olive oil for this recipe. Light olive oil is milder in flavor than extra virgin olive oil and lighter in color making it a better choice for oil in this salad dressing. Extra virgin olive oil is a better quality olive oil, however, it can overpower the flavor of the dressing. You can also substitute with vegetable oil.

Nutrition- Nutrition info is based on estimation only.

Calories: 143kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 138mg | Potassium: 67mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 108IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

Tried this recipe? I want to see it!Mention @aForksTale or tag #aForksTale!

More Salad Dressings, Sauces, Dips, Pickles, Flavored Salts

  • Carolina Barbecue Sauce Recipe-Vinegar Based
  • Homemade Ranch Seasoning-DIY Ranch Dressing Mix
  • Fresh Cranberry Salsa Recipe-Sweet and Spicy
  • Best Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe-Easy to Make
French Dressing Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is basic French dressing made of? ›

It's defined as a blend or emulsion of vegetable oil, vinegar or lemon juice, and any of the following optional ingredients: Salt. Spices and/or natural flavorings (usually paprika, onion powder, and sugar) Tomato paste, tomato purée, or ketchup.

Is French and Catalina dressing the same? ›

Catalina is often considered a subset of French dressing, with most of the same ingredients — ketchup, oil, vinegar, sugar, and other seasonings — but in different proportions. French dressing tends to contain more oil and spices, while Catalina has a higher proportion of ketchup.

Why did they stop making French dressing? ›

The U. S. Food and Drug Administration is revoking the standard of identity for French dressing in response to a citizen petition from the Association for Dressings and Sauces. The petitioners shared information documenting that the standard is outdated.

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.

Does French dressing contain vinegar? ›

Method. 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.

Which ingredient is not used in making 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 is Olive Garden's dressing called? ›

Our Famous House Salad served with our signature Italian dressing (served on the side).

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.

Which is better, French or Catalina dressing? ›

Although both offer tanginess and sweetness, because Catalina is dominated by punchy ketchup, it tends to have a more acidic profile than its French relative. However, even though Catalina may have a more pronounced intensity due to this prominence of tart ingredients, it isn't always as nuanced as French dressing.

Is French dressing better for you than ranch? ›

Ranch and French dressing were ranked the unhealthiest options of the bunch because of their high sodium (260 milligrams and 240 milligrams, respectively) and fat content (14 grams in ranch including 2.5 grams saturated fat, and 15 grams in French with 1 gram saturated fat).

Does French dressing still exist? ›

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 French dressing in the USA? ›

An American “French” dressing (the red kind) is made with many of the same ingredients as a classic French vinaigrette: vinegar, olive oil, garlic, mustard, salt, and pepper.

What is another name for French dressing? ›

What is another word for French dressing?
vinaigretteCatalina dressing
French salad dressingItalian dressing
Italian salad dressingvinaigrette sauce
vinaigrette dressingGreek dressing
vinaigrette salad sauce

What is California French dressing? ›

Ken's California French Dressing is a classic red Catalina-style French. Moderate-bodied with a vivid red color. Sweet tomato notes are combined with a mild vinegar tang and subtle spicing. Brightens up lush green salads, wedge salad, veggie plates—adds tang to coleslaw too.

Is Western dressing the same as French dressing? ›

A savory twist on traditional French dressings that's bursting with flavor. This rich and creamy dressing is sure to make you say, “Yee-haw!”

What is basic French dressing made with Quizlet? ›

Basic French dressing made with. Oil vinegar and seasoning.

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

A. 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.

Does French dressing contain mayo? ›

The sweet-sour balance of ketchup is accentuated with the addition of red wine vinegar and sugar. Mayonnaise tempers and smooths out the dressing with a hint of creaminess. Puréed onion, garlic powder, and Worcestershire add savory depth and piquancy.

Is French dressing like ranch? ›

The French lent a sugary ketchup and onion flavor, while the ranch influence was distinctly herbal, and both respective tangs made that "zing" the dominant trait. All-in-all, it was pleasant and well suited for the dipping of fried potatoes, although it fell a little short of electrifying.

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