Creamy French Dressing Recipe
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This homemade Creamy French Dressing recipe whips up in just 5 minutes, is WAY better than store-bought, and is a guaranteed winner at your dinner table!
Homemade French Dressing
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, takes all of 5 minutes and is made with ingredients you likely already have on hand. Get ready to take your chef and side salads to the next level!
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!
Sugar Free French Dressing
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.
French Dressing Recipe
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.
How to Use It
This homemade dressing is deliciously versatile and there are a number of ways you can use it to boost your dishes. Here are few ideas to get you started:
- On leafy green salads.
- As a dip for vegetables, potato chips, French fries, baked potato wedges and sweet potato fries.
- Drizzled over baked potatoes and baked sweet potatoes.
- As a spread for sandwiches or wraps.
- For hamburgers and hot dogs.
- For a flavor twist add it to your potato or pasta salads like this classic potato salad and macaroni salad or even creamy coleslaw.
Enjoy!
Be sure to also try my recipes for the BEST homemade:
- Ranch Dressing
- Thousand Island Dressing
- Russian Dressing
- Strawberry Poppy Seed Dressing
- Blue Cheese Dressing
- Italian Dressing
- Creamy Cilantro Dressing
- Asian Salad Dressing
- Lemon Dill Mustard Dressing
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Creamy French Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup good mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup neutral tasting oil
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- or alternative sweetener (for sugar free/low carb option)
- 1 small yellow onion, roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon sweet 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
Originally published on The Daring Gourmet September 16, 2018
Hi, I’m Kimberly Killebrew and welcome to Daring Gourmet where you'll find delicious originals, revitalized classics, and simply downright good eats from around the world! Originally from Germany, later raised in England, world-traveled, and now living in the U.S., from my globally-influenced kitchen I invite you to tour the world through your taste buds!
I have searched for this salad dressing recipe for years! It is exactly like Big Boys and I can’t believe I found it thank you so much! It is absolutely delicious! No more buying poor substitutes! I can’t tell you how happy I am 🥰
Yay, I’m thrilled that you found and enjoyed this, LeeAnn, thanks so much for the feedback!
this is delicious and finally has my husband enjoying salad again. sooo yummy
Wonderful! I’m so glad you both enjoyed it, Kelly, thank you!
Too much vinegar for me. Next time I’m cutting it.
Absolutely delicious. Thank you for posting the recipe.
You’re welcome, Kim, I’m so glad you enjoyed it, thank you!
This is the best French Dressing I have ever tasted. I make all my salad dressing from scratch. Mini food processors make it easy. I have tried many French recipes, but this is now the only one I use.
Thank You
I’m absolutely thrilled to hear that, Melanie, thank you so much!
will it still be good even if i don’t chill it for the recommended time
Hi Eric, the chill time allows the flavors to have time to meld and is definitely optimal for the best flavor.
I hate French Dressing, but I tried this recipe for someone else and now I like this over my favorite dressing. I have to admit though, I used Surig vinegar over apple cider and it was delicious.
I’m so glad, Rita, thank you for the feedback!
Really good! I generally only like French type dressing but only some of them, not the ones that are like Kraft which I don’t like at all. So I am always trying different ones and I think this is one of the best I’ve tried if not the best. Thanks!
I’m happy to hear that, Teresa, thank you so much!
Just made this dressing. Tastes delicious! Now I have to wait 2 hours in the refrigerator.🤷🏼♀️
It was great, but only had smoked paprika. Made it extra delicious! Added a little lemon juice and a touch of lemon pepper. Excellent!
I had a small family gathering for my sons 50th birthday and had no bottled salad dressing in the fridge. Found this French dressing recipe online and decided to give it a try. It got rave reviews. I split the leftovers for some to take home. I’m still hearing from them how great this French dressing is. Easy to prepare and great tasting. Definitely a keeper.
I’m so happy to hear that, Barbara, thank you!
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!
Fantastic, Susan, I’m so happy to hear that, thank you!
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
Awesome, Kim, I’m glad you enjoyed this and were able to replicate that French-Italian dressing!
Just made it and it’s fabulous! Going to make a few batches for some of my favorite salad loving neighbors.
Fantastic, Ali, and what a great gift! Thanks so much for the feedback!
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?
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.