Skip to main content

Versatile Vinaigrette

A basic vinaigrette can be quickly made with only a few key ingredients found in the pantry.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    yields 1 1/3 cups

Ingredients

1/3 cup vinegar or lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 garlic clove, pressed
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup olive oil (extra-virgin is nice)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Either whisk together all of the ingredients or whirl them in a blender for a few seconds.

    Step 2

    Vinaigrette will keep in the refrigerator for weeks. When cold, the oil tends to become milky-looking, partially solidified, so remove the dressing from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes before serving.

  2. variations: Herbed Vinaigrette

    Step 3

    Add fresh or dried herbs. Whisk in 1 to 2 tablespoons of minced fresh dill, chives, tarragon, thyme, basil, mint, or marjoram, or 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of dried. For the best flavor, allow dried herbs to steep in the vinaigrette for at least half an hour.

  3. Toasted Pecan Vinaigrette

    Step 4

    Add 2 tablespoons of toasted pecans. Purée all of the ingredients in a blender for about 30 seconds, until smooth and thick. (In this vinaigrette, we especially like balsamic vinegar or red or white wine vinegar.)

Cover of the cookbook Moosewood Simple Suppers with a red floral motif.
From Moosewood Restaurant Simple Suppers: Fresh Ideas for the Weeknight Table. Copyright © 2017 by Moosewood Collective. Published by Clarkson Potter, an imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC. Buy the full book from ThriftBooks or Amazon.
Read More
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
This one-pot dinner cooks chicken thighs directly on top of a bed of flavorful cilantro rice studded with black beans for a complete dinner.
Put that half-full tub to use with recipes that go beyond the Italian American classics.
Like Sri Lankan cashew curry and vegan stuffed shells.
Glossy, intensely chocolaty, and spiked with coffee and sour cream, this Bundt is the ultimate all-purpose dessert.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
Use this simple vinaigrette to dress a plate of greens, some steamed potatoes, or anything else that strikes your fancy.