Name: Homemade French Dressing
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup oil (canola, vegetable or light olive oil); 1/4 cup ketchup; 3 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar; 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar; 2 Tablespoons lemon juice; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt

Never buy French Dressing again! This homemade version is made with just a handful of pantry staples and tastes so much better than store bought!

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a salad dressing LOVER. My fridge is always well-stocked with different types, from Ranch to Blue Cheese to Balsamic Vinaigrette and everything in between.

Which is what makes it so unbelievable that the one time I was looking for French dressing (to make homemade Big Mac Sauce) I didn’t have it! And after JUST getting home from the store, I really didn’t want to drive back.

So instead… I learned how to make homemade French Dressing. And now I can share it with all of you! A sweet, tangy, delicious dressing that couldn’t be easier to make at home!

what you’ll love about this recipe

Easy to make: Just combine the ingredients in a small food processor or blender and you’re done!
Pantry staples: This recipe is made completely with pantry staples, so you likely don’t even need a trip to the grocery store.
Cost effective: Don’t pay extra for bottled dressing when you can make it for so much less at home!

what you’ll need for this recipe

Oil – I used 1/2 cup of canola oil as the base of this recipe. Feel free to substitute light olive oil or another type of oil if you prefer. I wouldn’t suggest extra virgin olive oil, as the distinct flavor might clash with the other flavors in this dressing.

Ketchup – I used 1/4 cup of ketchup as the second ingredient in this recipe. Feel free to use whatever ketchup you have on hand (I used Heinz).

Apple cider vinegar – 3 Tablespoons of apple cider vinegar gives this dressing a sweet tanginess that is characteristic of French dressing. Feel free to substitute white wine vinegar in a pinch.

Sugar – I added 2 Tablespoons of granulated sugar for a bit of extra sweetness. You can adjust this amount according to your tastes.

Lemon juice – In addition to the vinegar, 2 Tablespoons of lemon juice adds necessary brightness and acidity. Feel free to use either fresh squeezed or bottled.

Spices – I kept the seasonings simple with 1/2 teaspoon paprika (regular, not smoked), 1/2 teaspoon onion powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

how to make homemade french dressing

Combine the ingredients. Measure and combine the ingredients in a small food processor or blender.

Blend. Blend for 30 seconds to emulsify.

Storing Tips

Homemade French Dressing can be stored in an airtight container (I like using a glass jar) for up to two weeks. To use, simply shake the dressing and pour it over your favorite salad!

Recipe Variations

Make it creamy by adding 1/2 cup mayo to the mix
For a tangier dressing, add more vinegar
For a sweeter dressing, add more sugar
Use dried minced onion OR fresh minced onion in place of onion powder
Add garlic powder or fresh garlic
Add additional seasonings, such as chili powder, dried mustard, or celery seed (1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon)
Add a splash or Worcestershire sauce for a savory kick

French Dressing vs. Catalina Dressing

Now, you may be wondering what the difference is between French Dressing and Catalina Dressing. You can always find them next to each other at the grocery store and they clearly have a similar appearance. Well, the main difference is the ratio of oil to ketchup. French has a higher oil content, while Catalina has a higher ketchup content. As for Creamy French Dressing, it’s basically the same as regular French dressing with the addition of mayo.

what do you put french dressing on?

The most obvious answer is, of course, salad! French dressing has a sweet, tangy flavor that would make a perfect addition to any of these delicious salads:

more homemade salad dressing recipes

Hooked on homemade salad dressing? Be sure to add to your collection with these recipes!