Oil & Vinegar, Vinaigrette or Salad Dressing: What’s the Difference?

Oil and vinegar. Vinaigrette. Salad dressing.

We say all three, but are they actually the same thing?

Not quite. And if you've ever wondered what the difference is, you're definitely not alone.

The good news? None of this needs to be complicated.

What Is Oil and Vinegar Dressing?

This is the simplest of the bunch.

Pick an olive oil you love. Pick a vinegar you love. Drizzle them over your salad and toss.

That's it.

You don't even have to mix them together first.

And when you're starting with a really good olive oil and vinegar, sometimes simple is exactly what you want.

The fun part is finding combinations you love. The same olive oil can taste completely different depending on the vinegar you pair with it.

What Is a Vinaigrette?

A vinaigrette starts with the same two ingredients: oil and vinegar.

From there, you can add Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, herbs, garlic or other seasonings. The ingredients are whisked or shaken together to create a dressing with a little more body and flavor.

And once you know the basics, you can make all kinds of vinaigrettes simply by changing your olive oil and vinegar.

Want to try it? [Get our easy homemade vinaigrette recipe here.]

What Is Salad Dressing?

Here's the easiest way to remember it:

A vinaigrette is a salad dressing, but not every salad dressing is a vinaigrette.

Salad dressing is the big category. It includes vinaigrettes as well as creamy dressings made with ingredients like mayonnaise, yogurt, buttermilk or cheese.

Ranch? Salad dressing.

Caesar? Salad dressing.

That homemade vinaigrette you just shook up in a jar? Also salad dressing.

So, Which One Should You Make?

Whichever one sounds good.

If you're trying to get dinner on the table and don't feel like making another thing, grab an olive oil and vinegar and drizzle.

Have another couple of minutes? Make a vinaigrette.

There really aren't any rules here.

5 Olive Oil & Vinegar Pairings We Love

Don't know where to start? Here are five combinations we come back to again and again:

Meyer Lemon Olive Oil + Mango Pulp Vinegar
Bright, fruity and one of our most popular combinations.

Garlic Olive Oil + Marc de Champagne Vinegar
An easy everyday pairing that's also wonderful as a marinade.

Meyer Lemon Olive Oil + Garden Herb White Balsamic
Fresh, herby and incredibly easy to use.

Greek Seasoning Olive Oil + Lemon Cucumber White Balsamic
Bright and savory with a Mediterranean feel.

Basil Olive Oil + Strawberry Balsamic
Fresh basil and strawberry just work beautifully together.

And don't stop at salad.

Use these combinations with grilled vegetables, chicken, fish, grain bowls, fresh tomatoes, marinades, bread and whatever else you're making.

Finding the combination you love is half the fun.