Memorize This Vinaigrette Formula and Your Salads Will Forever Thank You (2024)

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Michael Ruhlman explains how to embrace a simple oil to vinegar ratio that leads to 3 variations of a classic vinaigrette salad dressing.

By

Michael Ruhlman

Memorize This Vinaigrette Formula and Your Salads Will Forever Thank You (1)

Michael Ruhlman

James Beard Award winning author of 2 dozen books. Writing has appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Gourmet and others.

Learn about Simply Recipes'Editorial Process

Updated January 25, 2024

Memorize This Vinaigrette Formula and Your Salads Will Forever Thank You (2)

Memorize This Vinaigrette Formula and Your Salads Will Forever Thank You (3)

First things first. I am a huge fan of Elise and am honored to be here on this blog. Elise, thank you!

Some of you know I’ve just published a book called Ratio: The Simple Codes Behind the Craft of Everyday Cooking. It’s all about proportions and how knowing proportions for fundamental techniques liberates you in the kitchen.

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.

Making Your Own Vinaigrette Saves Money

That we are willing to pay three or four dollars for bottled salad dressing when a delicious vinaigrette costs just pennies to make yourself, is an example of just how far away from the kitchen our processed food system has taken us.

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What Is the Vinaigrette Ratio?

A ratio is just a baseline. Maybe you prefer a very sharp vinaigrette with just two parts oil. If you use lime juice as your acid, you may need more than 3 parts oil. I think the standard 3-to-1, though, is just right.

In the dressings below, I use extra virgin olive oil. If you want, you could use a more neutral oil. It’s all a matter of what flavors you want.

Replace it with a tasty nut oil, and your vinaigrette is transformed again (replace the olive oil with walnut oil in the first recipe here, add some chopped walnuts and a dash of honey for a superlative walnut vinaigrette).

One Oil to Vinegar Ratio, A Thousand Vinaigrettes

Embrace a single ratio, and you will walk away with a thousand vinaigrettes. Here are three examples, all based on mixing two tablespoons of sherry vinegar with six tablespoons of olive oil (for a half cup total), each one building off the other.

The Best Sherry Vinegar

Remember the better your sherry vinegar, the better the vinaigrette (look for those produced in Spain).

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The Vinaigrette Ratio

Prep Time5 mins

Total Time5 mins

Yield1/2 cup

Method

Sherry Vinegar-Based Vinaigrette

  1. Sherry-Shallot Vinaigrette

    This is a great all-purpose vinaigrette for salads, sliced tomatoes or other raw vegetables.

    • 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon minced shallot
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

    Combine the vinegar, shallot, salt and pepper. Give it a stir with a whisk or fork to soften the shallot then drizzle the oil in while whisking.

    Memorize This Vinaigrette Formula and Your Salads Will Forever Thank You (6)

  2. Tarragon-Mustard Vinaigrette

    This is a little heartier than the above, can be used to dress greens, whole vegetables and would make a lovely sauce drizzled over lean white fish.

    • 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon minced shallot
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 to 2 teaspoons whole-grain or Dijon mustard
    • 1 tablespoon minced tarragon

    Combine the vinegar, shallot, salt, pepper, and mustard. Give it a stir with a whisk or fork to soften the shallot then drizzle the oil in while whisking. Stir in the tarragon just before serving.

    Memorize This Vinaigrette Formula and Your Salads Will Forever Thank You (7)

  3. Gribiche Vinaigrette

    Gribiche is traditionally mayonnaise-based, but I like it as a vinaigrette better. It makes a wonderful sauce for roasted pork loin, or any pork preparation. Last week I used it to dress a salad of pancetta lardons and arugula. It's hearty and packed with ingredients.

    • 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon minced shallot
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • 1 teaspoon whole-grain or Dijon mustard
    • 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon minced tarragon
    • 1 hard-cooked egg, finely chopped
    • 1 tablespoon chopped cornichons
    • 2 teaspoons capers, roughly chopped

    Combine the vinegar, shallot, salt, pepper, and mustard. Give it a stir with a whisk or fork to soften the shallot then drizzle the oil in while whisking. Stir in the tarragon, egg, cornichons and capers.

    Did you love the recipe? Give us some stars and leave a comment below!

    Memorize This Vinaigrette Formula and Your Salads Will Forever Thank You (8)

    Memorize This Vinaigrette Formula and Your Salads Will Forever Thank You (9)

  • Salad Dressings
Memorize This Vinaigrette Formula and Your Salads Will Forever Thank You (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).

What is the standard recipe for a basic vinaigrette group of answer choices? ›

The standard ratio for making vinaigrette is three parts oil to one part vinegar, but because the vinegars I use are mild and extra virgin olive oil is quite assertive, I usually wind up at about two parts oil to one part vinegar, or even a little stronger.

What is a vinaigrette explain the steps clearly? ›

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.

How do you make Nora Ephron's vinaigrette? ›

Ephron's is a simple formula: “Mix two tablespoons Grey Poupon mustard with two tablespoons good red wine vinegar. Then, whisking constantly with a fork, slowly add six tablespoons olive oil, until the vinaigrette is thick and creamy.

What is classic vinaigrette made of? ›

The traditional French vinaigrette formula calls for 1 tablespoon vinegar for every 3 tablespoons olive oil. Modern vinaigrettes often call for a bit more vinegar than that, but it's always up to you.

What's the ratio for a vinaigrette? ›

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.

What is a vinaigrette quizlet? ›

vinaigrette. A salad dressing made by combining oil and an acid, usually a vinegar and/or lemon juice. basic vinaigrette. A temporary emulsion, typically of some kind of oil and some type of vinegar.

What is the description of vinaigrette? ›

Vinaigrette is an oil-based salad dressing or marinade. When a restaurant server asks what kind of dressing you'd like on your salad, vinaigrette is usually one of the options. A basic vinaigrette is made from some kind of oil (often olive oil) whisked with an acidic ingredient, usually vinegar.

What is a vinaigrette used for in food? ›

Vinaigrette is a simple cold sauce typically made from three parts oil and one part vinegar. Vinaigrettes are extremely versatile and can be used for other things besides dressing for green salads.

What is added to a vinaigrette to stabilize it and make it permanent? ›

In this easy method, garlic and mustard are used as emulsifiers to help bind the surfaces of the water and oil in the dressing. Adding other ingredients like nuts, honey, mayonnaise, and tahini will also help emulsify the dressing.

Which vinegar is best for vinaigrette? ›

In addition to white wine vinegar, red wine, sherry, balsamic and cider vinegars can all be used in the same quantities as above. It's really down to personal taste and it's great to have a selection of vinegars in your cupboard to give variety to even the simplest salads.

How long is homemade vinaigrette? ›

How Long Does Homemade Vinaigrette Last? Traditional vinaigrettes, like the balsamic version listed below, will last longer—sometimes up to a few weeks. However, anything with fresh garlic should be consumed within a few days, as the combination of garlic and oil can form harmful bacteria over time.

What is the usual ratio of oil to vinegar in vinaigrette? ›

The rule of thumb for a vinaigrette is 1 part vinegar to 3 parts oil. French culinary school taught me this general rule which creates a slightly acidic dressing that works well on salads. This means if you start with 1/3 cup of vinegar, you would use 1 cup of oil.

What are the ratios for a traditional vinaigrette quizlet? ›

The standard ratio for a basic vinaigrette is three parts oil to one part vinegar. Acidic juices like lemon, lime, or orange juice can be subtitled for part of all of the vinegar.

What are two ingredients that can be used to help emulsify a vinaigrette? ›

In this easy method, garlic and mustard are used as emulsifiers to help bind the surfaces of the water and oil in the dressing. Adding other ingredients like nuts, honey, mayonnaise, and tahini will also help emulsify the dressing.

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