Homemade salad dressings are easy to make and are infinitely better than anything you can buy at the store.

This recipe is a close approximation of a salad dressing we made when I worked at The Red Chimney in San Francisco…

Louie Dressing

  • 1 cup mayo
  • 1/4 cup chili sauce
  • 2 Tbsp white grated onion
  • 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped fine
  • hefty pinch cayenne
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream, whipped

Mix first 5 ingredients and then fold in whipped cream.

Spicy French Dressing

  • 1/4 cup apple-cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp. dry mustard
  • 1/4 tsp. celery seed
  • 1/4 tsp. finely grated white onion or 1/8 tsp. granulated onion
  • Kosher or fine sea salt
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup sunflower or safflower oil
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 2 to 3 tsp. Sriracha; more to taste
  • 1/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters (optional)
  • 1/4 tsp. grapefruit bitters (optional)

In a small saucepan, warm the vinegar, mustard, celery seed, onion, and 1 tsp. salt over low heat, whisking occasionally until fragrant, about 5 minutes.

Pour the vinegar mixture into a small bowl. Whisk in the honey, oil, ketchup, Sriracha, Worcestershire, and both bitters, if using.

Transfer the bowl to the refrigerator and chill, covered, for 1 hour.

Season to taste with salt. Serve or store in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

 

Italian Dressing

  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 8 basil leaves, chopped
  • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
  • Salt & Pepper, to taste

Add all ingredients to jar. Shake well. Check for seasoning and add S&P, as desired.

Gorgonzola Dressing

  • 2 tbsp white balsamic vinegar
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 1 tsp Blue Cheese mustard (or mustard of your choice)
  • 1/2 tsp celery seed
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • a few drops worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 cup crumbled gorgonzola
  • Salt & pepper, to taste

Mix vinegar, shallot, mustard, celery seed, garlic powder, worcestershire sauce, and a hefty pinch of salt & pepper. Mix in the sour cream and then the milk.

Add the gorgonzola and mix well. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper, as desired.

Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 tsp granulated onion
  • 1/4 cup white-wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp minced fresh chives
  • 3 tbsp minced fresh Italian parsley
  • 1 tsp granulated garlic
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt & Pepper, to taste

Whisk the buttermilk, mayonnaise, and sour cream until smooth.

Stir in the the remaining ingredients and mix well. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Salad Dressings