The Three Ingredient Salad Dressing Recipe You’ll Never Forget

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Who’s ready for the simplest three ingredient salad dressing recipe? All you have to remember is 1:3:5 and you’ll be able to whip up a jar of this salad dressing in seconds.

I heard this recipe on the radio SEVEN years ago, and we’ve been using it ever since. It’s passed the test of time in our house.

This is our go-to vinaigrette recipe and has been for seven years.

That’s how great it is. And it’s totally customizable. Perfect!

Get your three ingredients together: mustard, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and a mason jar. Let’s make some salad dressing!

If you’re wondering which oils you should be using for dressings, and which are safe for cooking, read this post: 12 Things You Should Know Before Cooking Your Next Meal.

By the way, mason jars are an awesome tool to have in the kitchen to save time. If you’re looking for other time saving tools, check out this post on Essential Time Saving Tools in the Kitchen.

Ratios

I loved math in school. Anybody with me? Well, even if you didn’t, that’s okay.

We’ll be using the ratio 1:3:5 (mustard: balsamic vinegar: olive oil).

Unit of Measure

First, you need to pick how big of a “unit” you want to use. This will depend on how much salad dressing you want to make. Do you…

• Just want enough for a single salad at dinner? Use a teaspoon. This will make a little less than 1/4 cup of dressing.
• Want enough for a week? Use two tablespoons. This will give you enough dressing to fill an 8 oz mason jar, like this one.
• Want enough for the month? Use 1/3 cup. This will make about 3 cups, so use a quart size mason jar.

Putting it Together

We have our ratio….1:3:5.

And we have our ingredients…mustard, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil.

We’re going to combine one part mustard, three parts balsamic vinegar, and five parts oil.

An Example

First, pick a unit of measure (teaspoon, tablespoon, cup, etc.).

Let’s say you choose tablespoon.

• Put ONE tablespoon of mustard in a mason jar.
• Add THREE tablespoons of balsamic vinegar to the mason jar.
• Add FIVE tablespoons of olive oil to the mason jar.

See how we did that with the ratios, the “unit” and the ingredients?  Now put the lid on the mason jar and shake until it’s blended together!

Customize It

Use what you have. Use what you like.

• Mustard: We’ve successfully used yellow mustard, dijon mustard, or brown mustard.
• Vinegar: You can substitute a different kind of vinegar if you like. Try it out and see how it changes the flavor.
• Oil: If you’d prefer to use a different oil, feel free.

That’s the beauty of customizing a recipe. You get to make it how YOU like it.

Also, if you like a fruity vinaigrette, you can add a little strawberry jam, peach butter, applesauce, etc. to sweeten it up a bit.

Add fresh herbs, garlic, and any other flavors you think you’d like.

Start with this recipe as a base and make it your own. The possibilities are endless!

Make Ahead

My sister and her husband make a quart size jar of this dressing, and keep it on hand to use whenever they need it. That way they don’t need to make it every time they want a salad (they eat a lot of salads).

We typically make smaller batches, and we like to change the flavor profile by using different herbs or fruity add-ins.

Do what works for you! Make it ahead to make things easier on yourself.

And if you do try this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think!

Also, don’t forget to share on Pinterest