Mastering Vinaigrettes: 3 Easy Salad Dressings Every Home Cook Should Know

When it comes to simple, flavorful cooking, few things are as transformative as a well-made vinaigrette. Whether you’re tossing a crisp garden salad, drizzling over roasted vegetables, marinating pork or chicken, or finishing off a grain bowl, a homemade vinaigrette brings brightness, balance, and restaurant-quality flavor to your meals.

In this post, I’m sharing three essential vinaigrette recipes: Red Wine Vinaigrette, Lemon Vinaigrette, and Balsamic Vinaigrette. Each recipe uses pantry staples and comes together in just minutes—no blender required!

These dressings are perfect for home cooks, beginner chefs, and anyone interested in learning the building blocks of good food. Once you’ve mastered these basics, you can mix and match ingredients to create your own signature dressings.

🥗 Red Wine Vinaigrette

This classic vinaigrette is tangy, bold, and ideal for Greek-style salads, pasta salads, or marinated vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  1 tsp Dijon mustard
  1 garlic clove, minced
  1/2 tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning
  Salt and black pepper to taste

• Instructions:

• In a small bowl or jar, whisk together vinegar, mustard, garlic, and oregano.
  

• Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking to emulsify.
  

• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  

• Store in the fridge up to 1 week. Shake well before using.
  

🍋 Lemon Vinaigrette

Bright and refreshing, this lemon vinaigrette is perfect for arugula, grilled veggies, or any light salad.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
  

• 1/2 cup olive oil
  

• 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
  

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  

• 1 small garlic clove, grated or minced
  

• Salt and pepper to taste
  

Instructions:

1. Whisk together lemon juice, mustard, honey, and garlic.
   

2. Slowly whisk in olive oil until the dressing is emulsified.
   

3. Add salt and pepper to taste.
   

4. Store refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 5 days.
   
   
   
   

🍇 Balsamic Vinaigrette

Sweet, rich, and tangy, balsamic vinaigrette is a favorite for Caprese salads, spinach, or roasted beets.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  

• 1/2 cup olive oil
  

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  

• 1 tsp maple syrup or honey
  

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder or 1 small minced clove
  

• Salt and pepper to taste
  

Instructions:

1. In a bowl or mason jar, combine balsamic vinegar, mustard, sweetener, and garlic.
   

2. Whisk or shake vigorously while adding the olive oil.
   

3. Season to taste and enjoy!
   

Tips for Better Vinaigrettes Every Time

• Use a 1:2 or 1:3 ratio of vinegar to oil for balance.
  

• Always taste and adjust—acidity can vary between vinegars.
  

• Emulsify for a creamy texture using mustard or a touch of honey.
  

• Store vinaigrettes in a sealed jar and shake before using.
  

Ready to elevate your everyday salads? Start with these easy vinaigrette recipes and make your greens shine. Don’t forget to pin this post, share it with your fellow foodies, and subscribe for more easy recipes and cooking tips!

WATCH THE VIDEO!

Check out a step by step tutorial on these as well as a delicious Greek inspired tomato and cucumber salad.