This homemade simple salad dressing is a time-tested favorite straight from the homestead kitchen.
At our house, we believe in making the most of what we have. And that includes turning humble pantry staples into something truly special. It’s sweet, tangy, made from simple ingredients, and has been in our family for over 40 years.
It originally came from a newspaper clipping tucked inside a well-loved recipe tin. Over the years, it’s become my signature. Now, as the grandma in the family, I make it regularly. For everything from green salads to holiday meals, and even for topping Christmas hams or drizzling over roasted vegetables.
It’s proof that with a few ingredients, a jar with a tight-fitting lid, and a little shake, you can skip the grocery store shelves and enjoy a dressing that’s better than anything in a bottle.
Why We Love This Homemade Simple Salad Dressing Vinaigrette
This dressing is sweet like a French dressing but with a homemade touch that feels rustic and real. We’ve served it at casual meals, family cookouts, and even alongside elegant layer cakes at a dinner party or two.
It’s a great option for anyone trying to eat from scratch and reduce reliance on store-bought items.
Having a go-to homemade vinaigrette recipe for all those fresh greens makes all the difference.
Grandma’s Homemade Simple Salad Dressing Recipe
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Vegetable Oil any neutral oil like an olive oil
- ¾ Cup Apple Cider Vinegar I also use rice wine vinegar white vinegar or white wine vinegar depending on the flavor I’m looking for
- ½ Cup White Sugar adjust the sweetness based on your preference
- ½ Cup Ketchup your preferred brand
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- 2 Teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Dried Minced Onion or 1 small onion or shallop minced
Instructions
- In a quart size mason jar with a tight-fitting lid add all the ingredients. Vegetable oil, vinegar, sugar, ketchup, salt, Worcestershire sauce, and dried onion.1 Cup Vegetable Oil, ¾ Cup Apple Cider Vinegar, ½ Cup White Sugar, ½ Cup Ketchup, ½ Teaspoon Salt, 2 Teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce, 2 Tablespoons Dried Minced Onion
- Shake until the sugar dissolves.
- Let it sit for 1 hour before using it to rehydrate the dried minced onion. Optionally, use fresh minced onion and use this vinaigrette right away.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to a month. Just shake well before using it.
Nutrition
How We Use It on the Homestead
This salad dressing works for more than just leafy greens. It’s one of those homemade dressings that fits into nearly every part of the meal plan. Here are some of our favorite ways to use it:
- Tossed with a mixed greens salad or chopped lettuce
- As a glaze for roasted root vegetables or pan-fried potatoes
- Drizzled over sliced tomatoes and mandarin oranges
- As a marinade for chicken or pork
- Poured over a grain bowl with homestead veggies and eggs
It’s become a staple in our recipe repertoire, right alongside cookout classics, and other family recipes passed down through generations.
Doubles as a Sweet-and-Sour Sauce
One of the best things about Grandma’s Homemade Simple Salad Dressing is that it pulls double duty in the kitchen. It’s not just a homemade vinaigrette recipe for your green salad—it also works beautifully as a sweet and sour sauce.
That classic tangy-sweet flavor, thanks to the vinegar, sugar, and a hint of lemon juice, is the perfect match for stir-fries, meatballs, or even poured over baked chicken. Add a dash of hot sauce, and maybe a spoonful of parmesan cheese if you want a little savory depth. It’s a great option when you’re short on time but still want that big flavor payoff.
Try simmering the dressing with a bit of cornstarch and water to thicken it up. Pour it over rice, grilled veggies, or even ham slices for a simple dish that tastes like you’ve been cooking all day.
It’s just one more way this purpose salad dressing earns its place in any homestead kitchen—versatile, dependable, and delicious every single time.
A Recipe with Heart
When you make your own dressing, you control every ingredient. It’s a good news story for anyone aiming to live a bit more self-sufficiently. Whether you’re in a farmhouse, a cottage, or a backyard homestead.
Homesteading isn’t just about growing your own food. It’s about finding joy in the small details, like making your own quick salad dressing from scratch.
If you’re looking for a simple, delicious, and time-honored way to dress up your garden harvest, give this one a try. And don’t be surprised if it becomes a tradition on your homestead too.
