Vinaigrette (French Mustard Salad Dressing)
In short: The everyday French dressing of Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, olive oil and shallot, shaken until creamy and sharp. It takes about 5 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 5 min
- Total
- 5 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 120 kcal
Every French household has a jar of vinaigrette in the fridge. It is a simple emulsion of mustard, vinegar, oil, salt and pepper, and the mustard keeps the oil and vinegar from separating. A finely chopped shallot gives it bite. The classic ratio is one part vinegar to three parts oil, adjusted to taste. Use it on green salads, grated carrots, boiled leeks, tomatoes or warm potatoes.
Instructions
- Put the mustard, vinegar, salt and a few grinds of pepper in a small bowl or jar and whisk or shake until the salt dissolves.
- Add the shallot and stir to combine. Let it stand for 5 minutes so the shallot softens in the vinegar.
- Add the oil in a thin stream while whisking, or pour it into the jar, close the lid and shake hard for 20 seconds, until creamy and thick.
- Taste with a lettuce leaf, adding more vinegar, salt or oil as needed. Dress salads just before serving.
Tips
- Dress the salad at the last moment and toss gently. Dressed leaves wilt within minutes.
- Swap the vinegar for lemon juice or sherry vinegar, and add chopped fresh herbs such as tarragon, chives or parsley. A small crushed garlic clove can replace the shallot for a sharper flavor.
Questions and answers
How long does homemade vinaigrette keep?
In a sealed jar in the fridge it keeps for up to 1 week because of the fresh shallot. Shake it well before using, and let it warm up a little if the olive oil has turned cloudy.
Why does my vinaigrette separate?
Oil and vinegar naturally separate, and the mustard is the emulsifier that holds them together. Add the oil slowly while whisking, or shake hard in a jar. A little separation is normal.
What is the right ratio for vinaigrette?
The classic French ratio is 1 part vinegar to 3 parts oil, with a spoonful of mustard. Adjust it to the strength of your vinegar and to your taste.
How long does it take to make Vinaigrette (French Mustard Salad Dressing)?
About 5 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Vinaigrette (French Mustard Salad Dressing)?
About 120 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 1 g of carbohydrates and 13 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 120 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 1 g |
| Fat | 13 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Sodium | 220 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
