Smooth, with a tangy sweet finish, this easy homemade French dressing is perfect for all your salad needs!
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Growing up, we ate at lot of taco salads. They were my mother’s favorite dinner, especially in the summer. She would mix the taco meat with the lettuce, chips, cheese in a large bowl. Then, she would drown it all in store bought, French or catalina dressing.
Making the taco salad would require bottled dressing, that can get expensive when you are feeding a large family. I knew that making the dressing couldn’t be hard, but where to start?
Isn’t French dressing the same as Catalina?
Not exactly. French dressing has an oil and vinegar base, where Catalina is often creamier and thinner in viscosity. However, they are often used interchangeably in recipes with little difference.
After scouring the internet, I finally found some dressing recipes that sounded good, and most were good tasting. However, I had to change it just a bit here and there. What I came up with is a great recipe that my family loves, and I think yours will to.

Ingredients you need:
- Tomato sauce
- Extra virgin olive oil (or other vegetable oil you choose)
- Apple cider vinegar
- Granulated sugar
- Black strap molasses
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Smoked paprika
- Salt
- Black pepper
Making your homemade French dressing recipe:
- Combine all ingredients in a large mason jar or bowl.
- Whisk to combine well, and allow to sit in the fridge for 30 minutes if possible, for flavors to meld.
- Store in an air tight container for up to 7 days.
Other recipes you are sure to love:
- Asparagus and Peas Salad
- Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Grilled Peach Caprese Salad
- Homemade Ketchup
- Homemade BBQ Sauce

Easy Homemade French Dressing
Sweet and slightly tangy, this homemade French dressing recipe is perfect for all your salad greens!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil (or other vegetable oil you choose)
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 Tablespoons blackstrap molasses
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large mason jar or bowl.
- Whisk to combine well, and allow to sit in the fridge for 30 minutes if possible, for flavors to meld.
- Store in an air tight container for up to 7 days.
Nutrition Information
Yield 11 Serving Size 1/4 cupAmount Per Serving Calories 202Total Fat 20gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 16gCholesterol 0mgSodium 203mgCarbohydrates 7gFiber 1gSugar 5gProtein 0g
I do my best to make sure these numbers are accurate, however, please be your own best advocate and double check!
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