Vinaigrette salad dressings are one of the simplest recipes to make at home. There is almost no need for bottled dressings when you have this template in your back pocket. With less than five ingredients and no cooking, it’s much easier (and faster) to make than basically anything else.

While this vinaigrette recipe template is great for green salads of all sorts, it also works well with grain salads, pasta salads, or as a marinade on meats or vegetables. Here’s one specific Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe that follows the template.

Simple Ingredient MIX

1 tablespoon ACID
2-3 tablespoons FAT
1/2 teaspoon EMULSIFIER

Ingredient Options

Ingredient Options
1 tablespoon ACID balsamic vinegar | red wine vinegar | apple cider vinegar | rice wine vinegar | flavored vinegar | lemon juice | lime juice | orange juice
2-3 tablespoons FAT extra virgin olive oil | canola oil | sunflower oil | safflower oil | avocado oil | bacon fat
1/2 teaspoon EMULSIFIER powdered mustard | prepared whole grain mustard | yellow mustard | Dijon mustard | paprika | egg yolk (1 whole yoke) | honey
Seasonings to taste salt + pepper | soy sauce | minced garlic | minced shallots | etc.


Recipe Method

  1. Stir together acid, emulsifier, and seasonings in a small bowl, jar, or the bottom of your salad bowl.
  2. While whisking the ingredients, drizzle in the fat. Whisk until mixture appears cohesive.
  3. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.

Combination Inspiration

Here are just a few possibilities to get your creative wheels spinning...


Red Wine Vinegar
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Mustard Powder
Dried Oregano
Salt + Pepper

Sweet + Salty

Rice Wine Vinegar
Canola Oil
Ground Ginger
Soy Sauce

Simple Caesar

Fresh Lemon Juice
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Egg Yolk
Minced Garlic
Salt + Pepper

Warm Bacon

Balsamic Vinegar
Warm Bacon Fat
Dijon Mustard
Salt + Pepper

Recipe Hardware + Recommendations

* Affiliate links below *

Mini Whisk This simple whisk mixes up small goodies in the blink of an eye!

Small Jars These adorable 8 oz jars are perfect for storing dressings, sauces, nuts, and seeds.