An authentic French vinaigrette dressing consists of just a few simple ingredients, such as a good quality olive oil, sherry, Champagne, or white wine vinegar; minced shallots, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper.
The perfect ratio in a true French dressing is 1 part vinegar to 2 parts oil, with a teaspoon of mustard per ¼ part vinegar. This breakdown gives this dressing the right balance of acid to oil, making sure one does not overpower the other and brightening the fresh flavors of a classic nicoise salad.
French vinaigrette dressing
1 tablespoon shallots, chopped
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
½ cup champagne vinegar
1 cup olive oil
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients until well blended.
- Transfer the dressing to a container with a tight-fitting lid. Chill until you are ready to serve. This dressing may be made several days in advance and will last in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
This article was originally published in the April 2025 issue of 225 Magazine.
