Dijon Mustard Vinaigrette Recipe

A Dijon Mustard Vinaigrette is versatile and so very simple to mix up.  You need a few simple ingredients; vinegar, oil, garlic, Dijon Mustard and some dried herbs. Poured over a fresh green salad or homegrown thick tomato slices or s a chicken marinade.

Standard Vinaigrette Ratio

Start with the standard 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar and adjust to your personal taste as needed. Once you’ve made a few vinaigrette, you will likely throw the measuring out and start adding the ingredients and tasting until you get the perfect flavor.

The basic oil and vinegar was the only salad dressing we ever had growing up,  today it’s still my favorite salad dressing. I have a little vintage vinegarette bottle I use to serve an old mayo jar to Mix it up.

What type of oil to use?

A basic extra virgin olive oil is just fine; you don’t need to use a high-end olive oil, frankly, unless you are a connoisseur of fine olive oils you’re not going to taste any real difference.

What You Need to Make a Dijon Mustard Vinaigrette.

Use a small jar with a lid to mix your vinaigrette, I use a small glass mayonnaise jar.

Ingredients

• The mustard is going to be the star of the show so use a good French Dijon mustard.
• I prefer using a balsamic vinegar when making the mustard vinaigrette, but if you can also use a red wine vinegar and get a lovely result.
• Go with a basic good olive oil.  California Ranch Olive Oil is affordable, found in grocery stores and has a nice flavor.
• For the seasoning, use dried parsley and thyme.
• For making a vinaigrette, I like to use a tube garlic paste, it’s easy. You can also crush fresh garlic.

What's the difference between Dijon mustard and yellow mustard?

Other than the color the difference is in the flavor and ingredients used.  Yellow mustard is made of powdered yellow mustard seeds, spices, and vinegar and has a mild flavor.  Dijon mustard in comparison has a more intense flavor and is made with brown or black mustard seeds and white wine instead of vinegar.

Instructions

• In a small jar with a lid, mix the vinegar, garlic, mustard, and mix well with a fork or small whisk.
• Slowly add the olive oil while stirring with a fork or whisking.
• Add in the seasonings, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper and give it a little shake.
• Drizzle over a green salad, heirloom tomatoes or vegetables.

Looking for something creamier, try my buttermilk dressing.