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This homemade French Dressing Recipe is made with simple pantry staples like ketchup, vinegar, Dijon mustard, and spices. Sweet, tangy, and irresistibly creamy, it’s quick to whip up and a million times better than store-bought!
What is French Dressing
Unlike its more vinegar-forward cousin, Catalina dressing, this French dressing is rich and emulsified, making it perfect for coating leafy greens or drizzling over sandwiches and grilled veggies (you’ll usually find me tossing it with my favorite taco salad). It’s easy to customize, naturally gluten-free, and far more flavorful than anything from a bottle. Once you taste it, you may never go back to store-bought again.
Oh! Just in case you were wondering, French dressing has nothing to do with the French or France. It is 100% American-made.
The Ingredients
Feel free to jump to the recipe card for the full ingredient list and instructions.
This homemade French dressing is a bold and flavorful classic salad dressing that’s made with avocado oil (or light olive oil), ketchup, vinegar, and a touch of sugar, striking the perfect balance between sweet, tangy, and savory. A bit of Dijon mustard and paprika adds depth, while onion powder and black pepper round out the flavor, giving it that signature kick you remember from your favorite diner salads.
Flavor Tips
Want to make this French dressing a little sweeter, tangier, or spicier? Here are a few quick seasoning adjustments to help you customize the flavor to your liking.
- To make it sweeter: Add an extra ½ to 1 teaspoon of sugar or use honey/maple syrup.
- To make it tangier: Increase the vinegar by 1–2 teaspoons or add a splash of fresh lemon juice.
- To make it spicier: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce like Tabasco.
- For more savory flavor: Add ¼ teaspoon garlic powder or a few drops of Worcestershire sauce.
- To make it smoky: Use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika.
Emulsifying Tip
For a smooth, well-blended dressing, slowly drizzle the oil into the other ingredients while whisking vigorously. This helps create a stable emulsion that keeps the dressing from separating. For an extra-smooth texture, you can also use a blender or immersion blender.
But wait. What is an emulsion, anyway?
An emulsion is a mixture of two liquids that normally don’t combine—like oil and vinegar. In salad dressings, emulsions are created by whisking or blending oil with an acid (like vinegar or lemon juice) using an emulsifier such as Dijon mustard or egg yolk to help them stay mixed. Without an emulsifier, the liquids will eventually separate, but a well-made emulsion gives the dressing a creamy, cohesive texture that clings beautifully to salads like this easy house salad or wedge salad.
If you love this easy French dressing recipe, be sure to check out my other tangy favorites like this Creamy Poppyseed Dressing, Homemade Italian Dressing, Easy Dijon Vinaigrette, and Champagne Vinaigrette. They’re just as easy to make and full of flavor!
French Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup neutral flavored oil, avocado oil or light olive oil
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar, plus more to taste
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Whisk all the ingredients together in a medium bowl until smooth and fully emulsified.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed, then serve over your favorite salad or store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
