5 Ingredient Dijon Mustard Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the formula for vinaigrette dressing? ›

The French have decided that the perfect ratio for a vinaigrette is 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar. For my personal taste, that's a little too oily — but it's totally up to you. My simple system is: In a small screw-top jar, place vinegar and a pinch of salt; cover and shake (this helps to dissolve the salt).

Traditional vinegar to oil ratio for vinaigrette

For a traditional vinaigrette, you'll need to mix about 3 tablespoons of oil to 1 tablespoon of vinegar. You'll also want to add some salt and pepper to taste. Of course, for all four ingredients, the better the quality you use, the better your vinaigrette will taste.

Dijon vinaigrette is a zesty and flavorful vinaigrette made from Dijon mustard, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, minced garlic and olive oil.

The Basic Vinaigrette Formula

The most basic ratio for making a salad vinaigrette is: one part vinegar (or other acid) three parts oil.

Here is a perfect example of a culinary ratio, one that's fairly standard: The 3-to-1 vinaigrette, or 3 parts oil, 1 part vinegar.

In general, vinaigrette consists of 3 parts of oil to 1 part of vinegar whisked into an emulsion. Salt and pepper are often added. Herbs and shallots, too, are often added, especially when it is used for cooked vegetables or grains. Sometimes mustard is used as an emulsifier and to add flavour.

With just five basic ingredients, balsamic vinaigrette is one of the easiest homemade salad dressings to prepare in a pinch. It has a sweet yet savory flavor that works well in just about any salad, making it one of the most versatile options available.

Mayo is a magic emulsifier. Its thickness and high fat content make it the perfect stabilizer for a vinaigrette. A scant ½ teaspoon makes the dressing glossy, not heavy. The dressing will hold together for hours rather than minutes.

Ingredients: Water, mustard seeds, vinegar, salt, citric acid, sodium metabisulfite (used to protect quality).

What makes Dijon mustard Dijon mustard? ›

The use of white wine and black or brown mustard seeds separates Dijon from other mustards. Black and brown mustard seeds are progressively more pungent and bitter than yellow mustard seeds. Dijon is either smooth or coarse-ground, and the choice of blending to coarse-ground makes for a far more interesting mustard.

The main ingredients of the modern condiment are brown mustard seeds (Brassica juncea) and a mixture of white wine, vinegar, water, and salt designed to imitate the original verjuice. It can be used as an accompaniment to all meats in its usual form as a paste, or it can be mixed with other ingredients to make a sauce.

Champagne vinegar

It is pretty much the mildest vinegar you can get, making it excellent for delicate salads and for fruit-based dishes. If you are worried about overpowering your dish with vinegar, this is a good option to reach for.

Balsamic vinegar is pure vinegar. Balsamic vinegar is dark brown in color and has a very robust, slightly sweet flavor. Balsamic vinaigrette is a mixture made with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, sugar, salt and/or other spices. It is typically used as a salad dressing but has other uses in the kitchen as well.

Balsamic vinegar: Makes a bold, slightly sweet dressing that is wonderful on green salads with fruit, such as apples, strawberries or peaches. Red wine vinegar: Packs a punch and works well with other bold flavors and bright veggies, like tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumber, cabbage and more (think Greek salads).

oil and vinegar dressing; a basic vinaigrette is 3 parts oil to one part vinegar, 3 to 1. mixed ingredients that permanently mix.

Common ingredients used as emulsifiers in vinaigrettes include Dijon mustard, honey, egg yolks, tomato paste or even roasted garlic (some are better emulsifiers than others). Lastly, you'll want your vinaigrette to have a lot of flavor, so it's a good idea to add herbs, salt and pepper.