Easy Vinaigrette Recipe (2024)

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This easy vinaigrette recipe takes just 5 minutes to make with pantry ingredients! The zingy flavor makes it a go-to for any salad.

Easy Vinaigrette Recipe (1)

Here’s a go-to dressing recipe that immediately takes any pile of greens to salad status: this easy Vinaigrette Recipe! It takes 5 minutes, uses pantry ingredients, and is ultra versatile for any type of salad: both vegetable-based or fruity. After years of monkeying around with what makes the best vinaigrette recipe, we think we’ve got it nailed. One bite of this zingy, creamy flavor and you’ll be singing it’s praises! Here’s what to know about this basic vinaigrette dressing.

Ingredients in this vinaigrette recipe

A vinaigrette is a salad dressing made of oil, vinegar or other acid, and flavorings. The standard ingredient ratio is 3 parts oil to 1 part acid, which is then whisked into a creamy emulsion (where the oil and vinegar don’t separate). There’s nothing worse than a watery salad dressing, and this ratio ensures the dressing clings perfectly to salad greens.

This vinaigrette recipe is our go-to because it uses only pantry ingredients and requires no chopping. That’s right: no squeezing a fresh lemon, no mincing garlic: nada! Just whisk together a few simple ingredients you’ve got in your pantry and fridge. The ingredients for this easy vinaigrette include:

  • White wine vinegar
  • Dijon mustard
  • Maple syrup or honey
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
Easy Vinaigrette Recipe (2)

How to make a vinaigrette: basic method

There are only a few tips for making this vinaigrette recipe: it’s quick and simple! The most important part of any dressing? Making a creamy, thick emulsion. In salad dressing terms, an emulsion is when the oil and vinegar (or other liquids) combine into a thick substance instead of staying separated. Here are a few notes on how to get a deliciously creamy, emulsified vinaigrette:

  • Use a medium-sized bowl. The bowl size does matter: it’s easier to whisk up an emulsion when you have more room for the whisk to agitate the liquids. (Trust us, small bowls and whisks make it harder.)
  • Use Dijon mustard. Don’t omit the Dijon: it’s a key element to achieving a smooth emulsion. (You can use this trick when you whip up other salad dressings!)
  • Drizzle the olive oil gradually. Add it one tablespoon at a time and then whisk it in until it’s incorporated completely. Once you get to the last tablespoon, you should have a thick, creamy dressing.

Storage info

This easy vinaigrette recipe makes ½ cup of dressing. If you don’t plan to use it all at once time, it’s very easy to store. This one technically can be stored in the pantry or at room temperature, since it doesn’t have fresh ingredients like garlic or fresh herbs. The advantage to this method? The vinaigrette doesn’t solidify in the refrigerator.

However, we tend to store homemade vinaigrette in the refrigerator: just in case! It stores beautifully for up to 2 weeks. Keep in mind that the dressing solidifies when cold, so bring it to room temperature before serving.

Easy Vinaigrette Recipe (3)

More types of vinaigrette

There are many variations on a vinaigrette, the most popular being a Balsamic Vinaigrette made with balsamic vinegar. Here are some additional vinaigrette recipes to try:

Easy Vinaigrette Recipe (4)

Best Balsamic Vinaigrette

Classic, tangy, and easy to make at home.

Easy Vinaigrette Recipe (5)

Lemon Vinaigrette

Bold, citrusy flavor with just a handful of ingredients!

Easy Vinaigrette Recipe (6)

Red Wine Vinaigrette

Adds a pop to any salad: made; in minutes!

Easy Vinaigrette Recipe (8)

Shallot Vinaigrette

Zingy and easy to make: totally versatile for any type of salad.

Easy Vinaigrette Recipe (9)

Easy Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

Fast to whip up with a deliciously zesty flavor!

Easy Vinaigrette Recipe (10)

Maple Vinaigrette

The zingy, sweet tart flavor is ideal for drizzling over salads of all kinds.

Easy Vinaigrette Recipe (11)

Strawberry Vinaigrette

Creamy, sweet and berry forward: and so simple to make in a blender.

Easy Vinaigrette Recipe (12)

Orange Vinaigrette Salad Dressing

Brings a citrus burst to any salad, with orange zest and Dijon mustard.

Easy Vinaigrette Recipe (13)

Quick Tomato Vinaigrette

Dreamy, creamy, and zingy: and you only need 4 ingredients!

Pomegranate Vinaigrette

A bright, fruity dressing that makes any salad irresistible!

Easy Vinaigrette Recipe (15)

Honey Vinaigrette

This honey vinaigrette with Dijon is perfect for salads of all kinds!

Easy Vinaigrette Recipe (16)

Fresh Basil Vinaigrette

Brings herbaceous flavor to everything it touches: perfect for summer.

Favorite salad recipes

Let us know in the comments below if you try this vinaigrette recipe, or one of these tasty variations. This one is a go-to we love on all sorts of salads. See below for some favorites!

  • Try it on Frisee Salad
  • Go for Butter Lettuce Salad or Romaine Lettuce Salad
  • Add it to Endive Salad
  • Opt for it on a simple Tossed Salad or Chopped Salad

01

Frisee Salad

02

Favorite Chopped Salad

03

Romaine Lettuce Salad with Green Goddess

04

This vinaigrette recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.

Print

Easy Vinaigrette Recipe (21)

Easy Vinaigrette

★★★★★5 from 3 reviews
  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: ½ cup 1x
Print Recipe

Description

This easy vinaigrette recipe takes just 5 minutes to make with pantry ingredients! The zingy flavor makes it a go-to for any salad.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 6 tablespoons olive oil
  • Fresh ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk the white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup or honey, and salt.
  2. Whisk in the olive oil 1 tablespoon at a time until a creamy dressing forms. Add a few grinds of fresh ground black pepper. Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 2 weeks (it solidifies when cold, so bring to room temperature prior to serving).
  • Category: Dressing
  • Method: Whisked
  • Cuisine: Salad
  • Diet: Vegan

Keywords: Vinaigrette, vinaigrette recipe, easy vinaigrette

Published on / Last updated on

Categorized In:

  • Cooking Basics
  • Recipes

Tagged with:

  • Dairy-Free
  • Dressing
  • Easy
  • Gluten-Free Recipes
  • Plant-Based
  • Salad
  • Salad dressing
  • Vegan Recipes
  • Vegetarian Recipes
  • Vinaigrette

About the authors

Easy Vinaigrette Recipe (22)

Sonja & Alex

Meet Sonja and Alex Overhiser: Husband and wife. Expert home cooks. Authors of recipes you’ll want to make again and again.

About Us

Easy Vinaigrette Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is basic vinaigrette made of? ›

Basic Vinaigrette Ratio & Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make vinaigrette: Olive oil for your base. Vinegar of choice. Dijon mustard for some flavor complexity and creaminess.

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

For a traditional vinaigrette, you'll need to mix about 3 tablespoons of oil to 1 tablespoon of vinegar. You'll also want to add some salt and pepper to taste. Of course, for all four ingredients, the better the quality you use, the better your vinaigrette will taste.

What are the two main ingredients of most standard salad dressings? ›

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 is chipotle vinaigrette made of? ›

To make this recipe, you'll want to haul out your blender, plus four ingredients, including red-wine vinegar, honey, canned chipotles in adobo, and dried oregano (not counting basics like salt, pepper, oil and water). In Chipotle locations, they use their chipotle marinade in place of the canned chipotles.

What is the golden rule of dressing? ›

So 1/3 of your body is covered by your shirt and 2/3 is covered by your pants or skirt or vice versa. This can also be applied when men are selecting suits, shirts, and neckties. Use the 1:2 ratio: 1 solid with 2 patterns or 2 solids with 1 pattern and you will never go wrong.

What is the healthiest dressing to put on a salad? ›

Oil and vinegar.

“This is a great option, because it won't have any added sugar or salt,” says Allers. “But the type of oil is important. Opt for olive or avocado oil over an alternative like canola or soybean oil.” These healthy oils are packed with antioxidants, and can even help lower cholesterol.

What is the 1 3 rule of dressing? ›

The key is to create a visual break in your outfit at either the end of the first third, or the end of the second third. Avoid putting the visual break of your outfit in the middle, because this can make you look frumpy.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when making vinaigrette? ›

12 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Making Homemade Vinaigrette
  • Estimating measurements for all ingredients. inspiredbyart/Shutterstock. ...
  • Using the wrong oil. ...
  • Using the wrong vinegar. ...
  • Leaving out the emulsifier. ...
  • Skipping the mustard. ...
  • Forgetting to check expiration dates. ...
  • Not using fresh herbs. ...
  • Using vinaigrette only on salad.
Aug 18, 2022

What is the stabilizer in a vinaigrette? ›

An emulsifier is used in a vinaigrette to stabilize the oil and vinegar. Common emulsifiers include egg yolks, soy lecithin, and mustard. These ingredients all include lecithin--the stabilizing compound. In many vinaigrettes, mustard is the go-to stabilizer.

How do you bind a vinaigrette? ›

In this easy method, garlic and mustard are used as emulsifiers to help bind the surfaces of the water and oil in the dressing. Adding other ingredients like nuts, honey, mayonnaise, and tahini will also help emulsify the dressing.

What is the basic formula for salad dressing? ›

Here's my master salad dressing that I use as a base for every salad! You just need 1 tbsp vinegar, 3 tbsp oil and 1/2 tsp mustard. Finish with salt and pepper, or choose from any number of flavourings – garlic, fresh or dried herbs, pinch of spice, touch of honey.

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.

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

Balsamic vinegar is pure vinegar. Balsamic vinegar is dark brown in color and has a very robust, slightly sweet flavor. Balsamic vinaigrette is a mixture made with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, sugar, salt and/or other spices. It is typically used as a salad dressing but has other uses in the kitchen as well.

What are the three basic types of salad dressings? ›

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 ...

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