French Herb Vinaigrette

I find that many people fear making their own salad dressing at home. The fear comes from not knowing where to start. I’m here to tell you that you are totally missing out. Making your own dressing is so easy, and drastically more healthy than buying those shelf stable dressings at the supermarket. This French Herb Vinaigrette takes just a few minutes to make, and will keep in the fridge for several weeks… if it lasts that long!

One thing I like about making my own dressing, is that you really don’t have to follow a recipe. Once you know the basics of a dressing, you can just toss in flavors and get really creative. Don’t worry though, this is a great recipe to get you started.

When making any recipe, measure out your ingredients so you are sure not to forget anything. This also makes making the recipe go much faster and smoother. This is called mise en place, which is French for “put in place.” Ingredients are prepped, tools are gathered, and everything is organized before cooking, or preparing, begins.

Vinaigrette Essentials

There are a few things you have to know about making any vinaigrette. The base of this dressing are olive oil and vinegar of choice. There are many types of vinegars out there. Some are sweet, some are more dry. You can also use an acid, like a lemon or lime juice in place of your vinegar.

To make your vinaigrette creamy and help emulsify the dressing, be sure to add just a little Dijon. Lastly, don’t forget to season with salt and pepper. You need it.

Beyond those basics, you can get creative! Many vinaigrettes include garlic, honey, or other flavors for oomph or balance. This recipe uses herbs and shallot to give it life and it’s distinct flavor. The oniony bite of the chives, and the mild licorice flavor of the tarragon will make your tastebuds dance.

Try it on my strawberry cucumber salad!