Name: French Dressing Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2/3 cup ketchup; 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil; 1/4 cup white wine vinegar; 2-4 teaspoons granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon garlic, minced; 1/4 cup sweet yellow onion, minced or grated; kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste

Published on 04/16/24

by Erin Jensen

The best recipe for a homemade french dressing.

The Best French Dressing Recipe

Table of Contents

Have you ever made the homemade version of an American French dressing? If not, we highly recommend that you try making this creamy dressing! It is so much better than the store-bought version and you will never go back. A family favorite recipe that we continue to make again and again!

Looking for More Homemade Dressings?

If you love making them as much as we do, you definitely need to try our Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing or Carrot Ginger Salad Dressing!

Ingredients for French dressing in separate bowls. — Simple ingredients for this salad dressing recipe. See recipe card below for exact measurements.

Key Ingredients + Substitutions

ketchup – the sweetness level of your dressing may change a little bit, depending on what type of ketchup you purchase at the grocery store.
olive oil – option to add more if you prefer a more oil-based or vinaigrette-style dressing.
sugar – feel free to adjust to your desired taste or swap out for coconut sugar, if you prefer.

How To Make French Dressing

Two images showing the dressing ingredients in a food processor before and after blending. — Put all of those French dressing ingredients in a small food processor and blend until smooth.

A jar of homemade French dressing with a spoon pulling some out.

Best Ways To Serve French Dressing

This homemade French dressing recipe can be enjoyed in a few different ways! Our all-time favorite is drizzling it over an Ultimate Chef Salad, House Salad, or Taco Salad. There are so many different green salads that would be great with this easy dressing on top. It also make a great addition to your favorite sandwiches or wraps! Or just set out a bowl and use as a dip for all your favorite vegetables!

Someone pouring homemade French dressing on top of a Chef Salad.

Recipe FAQs and Tips

Can you sub apple cider vinegar instead of white wine vinegar? You can definitely give it a try. We have not tested it, but a vinegar is added to give the dressing that tangy flavor.
Is French and Catalina dressing the same? Both dressing recipes are made with similar ingredients, just in different amounts. Typically, Catalina will have a higher amount of ketchup and French salad dressing usually has more oil and spices.
How long will homemade salad dressing last in the fridge? Simply place your creamy French dressing in an airtight container or glass jar, place in the fridge, and enjoy for about 5-7 days!

Made this recipe and loved it?!

We would love it if you would take a minute and leave a star rating and review – it is also helpful if you made any substitutions or changes to the recipe to share that as well. THANK YOU!