This homemade Creamy French Dressing recipe whips up in just 5 minutes, is WAY better than store-bought, and is a guaranteed winner!
Homemade dressings are the best! Not only because they taste MUCH better than their store-bought counterparts, but because they don’t have all the junk ingredients that you find in most of the store-bought dressings. French Dressing is one of many examples of dressings that taste so much better homemade. And there’s really no excuse not to make your own because it’s super easy and takes all of 5 minutes!
The two most popular versions of French dressing are Catalina French Dressing (which is bright red and not creamy) and what is simply called French Dressing, which is pale orange and creamy. Today we’re going to make the creamiest, most flavorful and superbly delicious homemade Creamy French Dressing!
There really is no excuse not to make your own dressing because it uses ingredients that you likely already have on hand and it takes all of 5 minutes to make! Luxuriously creamy and flavorful, this dressing will take your chef salads and side salads to a new level!
If you’re looking for a lower calorie version, simply use low fat mayonnaise and substitute the sugar with your favorite granulated alternative sweetener, for example Swerve Granular Sweetener.
This dressing is not only great on salads but also makes a delicious dip for your veggies. You can even drizzle on your baked potatoes or mix some of it into your pasta salad.
How to Make French Dressing
Let’s get started!
Place the mayonnaise, ketchup, oil, vinegar, sugar, onion, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper in a blender. Puree until you have a smooth dressing. Presto, your dressing is done!
Transfer it to an airtight container and chill for at least 2 hours before serving, preferably longer so the flavors have time to develop.
This recipe makes about 2 1/2 cups. This dressing will keep for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Enjoy!
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Be sure to also try our recipes for the BEST homemade:
Creamy French Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup quality mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup neutral tasting oil
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 small yellow onion, roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon sweet Hungarian paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Taste and add more vinegar if you want it tangier, or more sugar if you want it sweeter. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Will keep up to 2 weeks. Makes about 2 1/2 cups.
Notes
- For a low calorie version, use low fat mayonnaise and substitute something like Swerve Granular Sweetener for the sugar.
Nutrition
Susan says
Let’s be clear, we are not French dressing fans. The stuff from the store is cloyingly sweet without any real personality. I made this for guests.. her husband loves French, so I thought I would try this. It was absolutely the biggest hit! Not only did they love it, but so did we! I admit, I cut the sugar back slightly, left all the remaining ingredients the same. I did at a quarter teaspoon of ground mustard and it really made it great. My husband wants me to make again.. I am definitely doing that! Thank you for sharing!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Susan, I’m so happy to hear that, thank you!
Kim says
I went to a local Italian restaurant and their house dressing is french and italian mixed. So I took your recipe and used red wine vinegar instead of apple cider and added some basil, oregano and dry mustard and it turned out amazing. Great recipe thank you
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Awesome, Kim, I’m glad you enjoyed this and were able to replicate that French-Italian dressing!
Ali says
Just made it and it’s fabulous! Going to make a few batches for some of my favorite salad loving neighbors.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Ali, and what a great gift! Thanks so much for the feedback!
David Brent says
With just myself and my wife at home, we do not use very much at a time. Is there a way I can water bath can this or addition to help preserve longer than 2 weeks?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi David, no, I’m afraid this dressing cannot be canned. I’d recommend just making half a batch by cutting all the ingredients in half.
Smartblonde says
Just made this – it’s a lovely dressing, light and with just the right amount of sweetness vs. tang. This is already a big hit. Make it – you won’t be disappointed.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, thank you!
Betty says
Just made it for my pasta and shrimps salad. It was perfect! Will definitely make it again (probably very soon)! Thanks for sharing!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Betty, thank you so much!
Melody says
DELICIOUS! Just made keto version as well using homemade avocado mayo. Will be making again! Thank you!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Awesome, Melody, thanks for the feedback!
Anonymous says
Made this for my garden salad and it was delicious! Thank you for sharing your recipe!
Dottie Wilkes says
Just made this with Monkfruit sugar and sugar free ketchup and Mayo for KETO friendly eating. Taste is excellent! No more store bought French dressing for us.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Wonderful, Dottie, I’m so glad, thank you!
Erin says
This looks absolutely delicious! Yummy!
Erin says
YUM!!! I love this delicious version dressing!!!
Taylor says
Looks so yummy and flavorful!
Chrissie Baker says
Wow, this recipe looks great. Very interesting combination of ingredients. I really like. THANK YOU!
Demeter says
Homemade dressings have so much more flavor and I’m sure this one is no different! Looks fantastic!
Charity says
I love homemade salad dressing. This looks so easy why would you buy it?
Jamielyn says
Delicious! Such a flavorful dressing!
Anna says
Homemade dressing is the best! I need to make a big batch of this tasty looking dressing!
Allyson Zea says
My husband LOVES French dressing so I am adding this to my must make list!
Jeff the Chef says
I haven’t had French dressing in forever! Thanks for the recipe!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
It had been a while for me, too – thanks for visiting, Jeff!