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This homemade French dressing is sweet, tangy, and loaded with tomato flavor. Made with pantry staples like tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, and a few dried herbs, it comes together in just a few minutes in the blender. It’s a simple, classic dressing that adds zip to any salad.
It’s not just for lettuce, either. Use this vibrant dressing to marinate meats, glaze grilled vegetables, or serve as a dipping sauce for your favorite appetizers. Once you try this homemade version, you may never go back to the bottled kind!
What You’ll Like About This Dish
Classic flavor. Sweet and tangy with tomato, herbs, and a touch of sugar.
Easy to make. Just blend and chill—no cooking required.
Versatile use. Great on salads, as a marinade, or even a dipping sauce.
Ingredient Notes
- Tomato paste: Provides rich tomato flavor and a smooth base for the dressing.
- Vegetable oil: Choose a neutral oil like canola, safflower, or avocado oil.
- Apple cider vinegar: Adds brightness and mild acidity; red wine vinegar can be used in a pinch.
- Water: Helps thin the dressing to the right consistency.
- Sugar: Balances the acidity—adjust more or less to taste.
- Salt and pepper: Enhance flavor and round out the tang.
- Tarragon and basil: Dried herbs add aromatic, subtle background flavor.
Steps to Make Easy Tomato-Based French Dressing
- Add all ingredients—tomato paste, oil, vinegar, water, sugar, salt, pepper, and herbs—to a blender or food processor.
- Blend or pulse until smooth and fully emulsified.
- Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more sugar or vinegar if needed.
- Transfer to a jar or cruet, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Shake well before serving.
Tips for Homemade Dressing
- Use a blender or food processor for the smoothest texture and best emulsification.
- Let the dressing chill for at least 30 minutes before serving so the flavors meld.
- Adjust sweetness to taste—start with less sugar if you’re not sure.
- Store in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid for easy shaking and serving.
Recipe Variations
- Spicy version. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce.
- Fresh herbs. Use chopped fresh tarragon or basil if you have them—double the amount.
- Honey sweetened. Swap granulated sugar for honey or maple syrup.
- Garlic twist. Add 1 small clove of garlic to the blender for a pungent bite.
- Creamy option. Blend in 2 to 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise or Greek yogurt for a creamy texture.
Serving Suggestions
- Salads: Perfect on lettuce, tomato, cucumber, or pasta salads.
- Marinade: Use to marinate chicken, pork, or beef before grilling.
- Dip: Serve with mozzarella sticks, chicken tenders, or fresh vegetables.
- Glaze: Brush over grilled zucchini, eggplant, or mushrooms.
- Sandwich drizzle: Spoon over subs, wraps, or grain bowls for extra flavor.
How to Store
Refrigerate: Store the dressing in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freeze: Not recommended—oil and vinegar-based dressings do not freeze well.
Before serving: Shake or stir to re-emulsify if the dressing separates during storage.
Easy Tomato-Based French Dressing
Ingredients
- 5 tbsp tomato paste
- ½ cup vegetable oil, neutral flavor
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 ½ tbsp granulated sugar
- ¾ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp dried leaf tarragon
- ¼ tsp dried basil
- ⅛ tsp ground black pepper
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor; pulse until smooth and well blended.
- Serve with salad greens or sliced fresh veggies.
- Cover tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Makes about 1 1/2 cups.
Nutrition
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
