Mom’s Salad Dressing ~ This salad dressing is so delicious! It’s my mom’s recipe that she made when I was growing up. I think it’s how she got me to eat salads as a kid.
It’s well balanced with sweet and savory. And, it’s perfect on a salad, not only at holiday time, but any night of the week!
We appreciate your support
This post may contain affiliate links. Life Currents participates in different affiliate programs. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information see here.
Please let me know if you have any questions about this recipe. I read all the comments myself and I try to help as soon as I can. I have readers from all levels of comfort and experience in the kitchen on my site, and I’ve tried to answer some of your questions already in the post. But if I’ve missed anything, please feel free to leave a comment and ask.
Make ahead
This dressing keeps well in the refrigerator, so you can make it ahead for a party. Or, (affiliate link) store any leftovers for a few weeks so you can have salads often.
Oh, and the dressing does tend to separate a bit when left in the fridge. Just give it a good stir or a good shake, and it’ll come back to its glory.
What kind of oil should I use?
Mom’s recipe called for “salad oil”. I believe Salad oil is another term for vegetable oil. And, I was able to find salad oil available for sale.
Rather than having to buy another oil, you can use just about any light tasting oil that you like in Mom’s Salad Dressing.
You can use oils like vegetable, grapeseed, canola, safflower, corn, peanut, or other light flavored oils. You’ll want to stay away from oils that give a lot of flavor to a dish.
I have found that olive oil, even light olive oil, tends to solidify if stored in the fridge. So, if you’re going to store the dressing in the fridge, I’d recommend not using olive oil.
I generally use grapeseed oil in most of my cooking, so that’s what I choose to use.
What kind of vinegar should I use?
I like the simplicity of white vinegar for this dressing. It is, after all a simple dressing.
However, I also think apple cider vinegar is great in the dressing. It, well, dresses it up a bit. You could also use a red or white vine vinegar here.
Spinach salad
She always made a spinach salad for holiday meals. She used a couple of bunches of spinach, fresh bean sprouts, canned water chestnuts, some crumbled bacon, and toasted (in butter) slivered almonds. Oh my gosh, that salad was awesome.
Now if mom makes the spinach salad, she keeps the bacon and the almonds in separate bowls so that people with different dietary needs can add them or leave them off as they see fit.
Serve this beautiful spinach salad with a Toaster Oven Grilled Cheese for a classic comfort food meal!
Ok, now what about those ingredients
This is possibly the elephant in the room.
Yes, I know these ingredients seem very odd. Downright perplexing.
I know. Normally I would shy away from a salad dressing like this. But, I swear to you, this is so delicious!
And, I also know that if I saw this recipe I’d move on.
Stay; make this recipe. Eat the recipe. It’s so yummy. It’s sweet. Savory. It’s well balanced. I swear, it’s delicious!
Changes to the recipe
I’m sure that some experimenting with the recipe could yield some great results. Maybe cut back on the amount of oil. Try swapping the ketchup for tomato paste. Maybe increase the amount of vinegar and decrease the amount of sugar.
Yes, maybe some experimenting. But, for now, this is Mom’s Salad Dressing Recipe. It’s been a favorite of mine for a long time.
Let’s stay in touch
If you like seeing my recipes subscribe via email in the upper right.
Or, connect with me on your favorite social media channel for recipes, photos, & much more:
Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter!
And find my shop on Amazon for recommendations on cool tools
If you try this recipe,
please come back & leave a comment below letting us know how it goes.
Share a picture & tag @lifecurrents on Instagram.
Or you can upload a “tried it” photo (I would love to see)
via the pin.
Mom’s Salad Dressing Recipe
Mom’s Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 cup salad oil
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup vinegar
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons dried minced onion
- large pinch of salt
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake well to combine. Or place all ingredients into a medium bowl, and whisk well to combine. Them, pour into a dressing bottle or pitcher.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations, and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
LydiaF
I’d try your Mom’s dressing (well, I’d probably use half the sugar, but…) It’s very similar to some French dressing recipes I’ve come across. It sounds delicious!
Karyl Henry
Wow, I’ve never heard of ketchup in a salad dressing! Now I need to try it out, just because of that. What a genius idea
Mirlene
I dont think I should swap out any of the ingredients. That’s what make the dressing so homey. I like it the way it is. I am very much interested in trying this recipe, especially for the holidays. Thanks for sharing.
Veena Azmanov
That looks delicious. I love the color it gets from the ketchup. Love such simple and easy recipes that you can make ahead of time.
Jyothi (Jo)
oh goodness, that dressing looks absolutely delicious! Ketchup in salad dressing sounds new to me, i can’t wait to try it
Cheese Curd In Paradise
This looks like a delicious dressing! I love the sweet and savory aspect this dressing! Delicious!
Marisa Franca
Such a pretty color to your salad dressing. The ketchup makes the dressing look a bit richer. We eat a salad every single night and we detest store dressing. Your Mom’s Salad Dressing would be one we’d really enjoy.
Catalina
I am so agree that the dressing is the most important part of the salad! Thank you for your useful tips!
Deborah
This looks so easy and tasty, too. And if I use natural, unprocessed sugar, it’s vegan. Kudos, can’t wait to try.
Ruchi
I will try this recipe on my kids, maybe your moms dressing will finally convince them to eat salads!
Ellen
I always love finding new homemade salad dressings to try. They are so much better than store bought.
Alida | Simply Delicious
Such a staple in every household.
Toni | Boulder Locavore
I’d love to give this a try! Looks so delish!
Heather Q
My mom made one very similar to this!
1/4 c sugar
1/4 c apple cider vinegar
1/3 c oil
1/3 c ketchup
Splash of lemon juice
Chopped onion if desired
This was the only salad dressing in our house!
Debi
Heather, very similar – It’s so good!
Tambi
Thanks for sharing!! My mom also made this for spinach salad. Only change–she made the dressing in a sauce pan and drizzled the warm dressing over the spinach to wilt it. Yummy!! I will be having a spinach salad soon.
W Reese
I just mixed this dressing up and it’s delicious!! Not only am I going to use this on my salads, but I’m also going to use it to dip boiled shrimp in. Thank you for sharing your recipe!!
Debi
W Reese, thanks so much for letting me know! You totally made my weekend! And I love the idea of dipping boiled shrimp in it! Thanks!
Brandi Burgess
I can not wait to try this dressing! I have all the ingredients on hand!
Brenda
J made this salad dressing this morning, and let it sit to blend the flavors. It is DELICIOUS! Thanks for posting it. Tell your mom “good job”.