French Vinaigrette

Name: French Vinaigrette
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 tbsp shallots, finely chopped (about 1 medium shallot); 2 tbsp red or white wine vinegar; 0.25 tsp fine sea salt; 2 tsp Dijon mustard; 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, high-quality; black pepper, freshly ground

Simple Shallot Vinaigrette — The Perfect French Dressing

This is the vinaigrette that French cooks reach for daily — sharp vinegar balanced by good olive oil, with shallots providing gentle bite and Dijon lending body. It proves that the best dressings need nothing more than patience and proper technique.

FrenchSauceVegetarianVeganGluten FreeKetoPaleoDairy FreeNut FreeWhole30Quick MealsHealthyNo Cook

Prep15 min

Cook—

Total15 min

Servings—

Difficultyeasy

Ingredients

2 tbspshallots, finely chopped (about 1 medium shallot)
2 tbspred or white wine vinegar
¼ tspfine sea salt
2 tspDijon mustard
4 tbspextra-virgin olive oil, high-quality
black pepper, freshly ground(optional)

Instructions

Combine the chopped shallots, vinegar, and salt in a small bowl, whisking just to dissolve the salt. Set aside for 10 minutes — this brief rest mellows the shallots' sharpness and lets the salt draw out their moisture, creating a more balanced base.
⏱ 10 min
Whisk the mustard into the shallot mixture until smooth. Now comes the crucial part: pour the olive oil in a thin, steady stream while whisking vigorously. Don't rush this — the constant motion creates the creamy emulsion that makes this dressing cling beautifully to greens.
Taste and adjust with more salt and a few grinds of black pepper as needed. The vinaigrette should taste bright but balanced, with no single element overpowering the others.