Walk down the condiment aisle in any grocery store and you’re met with a plethora of dressings and vinaigrettes from which to choose for your salad or marinade. But did you know that it’s easier and healthier to make your own vinaigrette at home? If you know a few basic guidelines you can make almost any kind of vinaigrette you want: savory, sweet, tangy, Asian, Indian, Mexican. The choices are limited only by your own creativity and tastes.

Why is it easier than store-bought? For starters you don’t have to drive to the store when you want a different flavor for your salad. As long as you have oil (which most people do) and vinegar (most people have this too) along with a few choice herbs or spices you can make a vinaigrette. You also don’t have to keep multiple bottles of different dressings in your fridge. Instead, you can make a small amount to be used up quickly.

How to Make Vinaigrette

It’s healthier because you control the ingredients. You can use healthy oils, limit the amount of added sodium, and avoid the all the extra additives so commonly found in store-bought dressings.

How do you make vinaigrette?

So how do you make vinaigrette? The culinary standard is a 3 to 1 ratio of oil to vinegar. In other words, for every 3 parts of oil you use you would add one part vinegar. This works fine for many vinaigrettes, but I’ve found that I prefer a little less oil and more vinegar, closer to a 2 to 1 ratio or 3 to 2 ratio. This is purely a personal preference. As you make them, taste test and adjust according to your own tastes.

Always use a good oil. I prefer extra-virgin olive oil , but you can use canola oil or grapeseed oil for a milder flavor, or sesame oil for an Asian flavor.

Vinegars vary widely in their flavors and will add different depths and tastes to your vinaigrettes. I keep a variety of vinegar on hand to use for vinaigrette such as balsamic,  cherry balsamic, white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, rice vinegar, or apple cider vinegar.

How to Make Vinaigrette

After the oil and vinegar use a little sea salt, pepper, and other herbs for whatever taste you’re looking for. For sweet vinaigrettes add a little honey or smashed fresh fruit. You can also use juices like lemon or lime juice, or orange juice. Mustard is also tasty when added to vinaigrettes.

For Italian flavors try adding herbs like basil, thyme, or rosemary – even a little garlic and parmesan cheese. Mexican flavors call for cumin, oregano, pepper, cilantro, or coriander. For Asian flavors use soy sauce (lower sodium), ginger, orange zest, rice vinegar, and sometimes cilantro. For a basic vinaigrette try olive oil with balsamic or red wine vinegar and little mustard and garlic. The choices are endless and the amount of herbs and spices you use are based on your own tastes.

To get you started I have two recipes for you: Fresh Strawberry Vinaigrette, and Lemon Herb Vinaigrette.

Do you make your own vinaigrette? What are your favorite ingredients? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below. If you’ve enjoyed this post please consider sharing it on Facebook or Twitter.

Fresh Strawberry Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar

2 strawberries, chopped

1 1/2 tsp. honey

1/2 tsp. thyme

pinch of kosher salt

Method:

Put all ingredients into a small jar or bowl and mix together using a stick blender. If you don’t have a stick blender just place everything into a regular blender and pulse till combined. Enjoy on you favorite salad or refrigerate till needed!

Lemon Herb Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 1/2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

1 Tbsp. white wine vinegar or white balsamic vinegar

1 tsp. fresh lemon zest

1/2 tsp. dried basil

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

1/16 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. kosher salt

fresh ground pepper to taste

Method:

Put all ingredients except pepper into a small jar. Screw the lid onto the jar and shake well till all ingredients are combined. Grind a little pepper over the dressing, mix, and taste. Add more if desired. Enjoy with your favorite salad. If using at a later time be sure to refrigerate and shake again thoroughly before serving.

Thank you for sharing!

19 Comments

  1. No, I have never made my own. But my parents used to do it. They would use it on salads or on cut up cucumbers and tomatoes. I had no idea you could be so versatile with it. I’d love to try the strawberry one…..yummy! Thanks for linking up to Making Your Home Sing Monday today!

    1. My mom made a vinaigrette for a salad with fresh cut leaf lettuce and radishes, and I always loved that one too. Thanks for stopping by!

  2. I LOVE Homemade Vinaigrette! Excited to try your Strawberry recipe! YUM!! Have a blessed week!

  3. Yum! Thanks for sharing your recipes. I have been making Spicy Peanut Dressing for years, but I didn’t try making other salad dressings until just last year. Now I’ve gotten pretty good at Italian dressing (which is a vinaigrette) and ranch (basically yogurt, milk, and white vinegar with herbs, salt, and pepper). I knew it was working out when my 9-year-old started asking me to make salad dressing instead of whining about why don’t we buy it anymore!

    1. The Spicy Peanut Dressing sounds really good. I haven’t ventured into homemade ranch dressing yet, but I’m planning to try it soon. I have a daughter, too, that loves ranch dressing with almost everything. Thanks for stopping by!

  4. I love this post, Marie! I always make my own and sometimes surprise myself with the flavours I can create with what’s on hand. I’d love to include your post in next week’s Tuesday’s Tidbits. I’d just post a teaser, of course, with all links and credits back to you. Let me know if you like the idea. Love the real food revolution!

    1. Robyn – I love your site and would be honored to have you include this post in Tuesday’s Tidbit. I’ll email you. Thanks for stopping by!

  5. Pingback: Tuesday's Tidbits - simply fresh dinners
  6. Hi Marie – Thanks so much for sharing with the Let’s Get Real party. I love making homemade vinaigrettes, and you’ve given me ideas for some new ones. I am pinning this to our group board on Pinterest.

  7. Pingback: Welcome to the Let’s Get Real Party #34 | Calm.Healthy.Sexy.
  8. I love a great Vinaigrette for a fresh salad, this looks so good. Hope you had a great weekend and thank you so much for sharing your awesome recipes with Full Plate Thursday. Have a good week and come back soon!
    Miz Helen

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