This slightly sweet, creamy homemade salad dressing goes wonderfully with nearly any salad. It’s super easy to make and is made with simple, basic ingredients.
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If you read my menu plans, you’ll notice that I often mention having homemade salad dressing. This Mexican Dressing is our favorite and the one we use the most. It is slightly sweet, a bit creamy and just has a nice, full flavor.
We love it on a variety of salads but I think it pairs especially well with salads that have eggs in them. Really though, it’s kind of like Ranch- it goes well with almost any salad!
Mexican Dressing (a homemade salad dressing)
Mexican Dressing (a homemade salad dressing)
This slightly sweet, creamy homemade salad dressing goes wonderfully with nearly any salad. It’s super easy to make and is made with simple, basic ingredients.
Servings: 2 1/4 cups
Ingredients
- 1 medium sweet onion (see Recipe Notes below)
- 2/3 c. sugar
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
- 1 tsp. celery seed
- 1 Tbsp. prepared mustard
- 1/3 c. apple cider vinegar
- 1 c. oil
- 6 Tbsp. mayonnaise opt.*
Instructions
- Put all ingredients except mayonnaise in blender.
- Mix 2 to 5 minutes, so oil doesn't separate.
- Add mayonnaise and blend until combined. Store refrigerated.
Notes
- If you prefer, you can use a regular onion instead. I typically use about 1/4 or 1/2 of a medium onion, depending on how strong it is. I recommend trying a small amount and adding more to taste!
- This is obviously healthier without the mayonnaise but it is also much creamier with it. We like it both ways but do prefer it with the mayo added.
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Trinity
Just found your many delicious {and more importantly low-cost} recipes via Pinterest and couldn’t be more excited. I would LOVE to lower my monthly grocery bill which seems to have steadily inclined over the last two years. Now following and hope to pick up on some of your tips, as well as follow your example recipes. Thanks so much for sharing!
ThriftyFrugalMom
So glad to have you join us here, Trinity! I hope that you can be blessed and inspired by what you read on Thrifty Frugal Mom.
Stacey Thureen
Looks so yummy! Can’t wait to try it.
Brittany
Looks delicious! Stopping by from Women with Intention Wednesdays 🙂
Rebecca
This dressing sure does look good. Homemade dressings are so much better for you than store brands. And it is light enough for summer salads. Thanks for posting.
ThriftyFrugalMom
Yes, we love homemade dressings, Rebecca! I’m on a search to find more yummy recipes for them.
Bethany
This is such a creative recipe! Sounds like one I’ll be making soon : ) Thanks!
ThriftyFrugalMom
I think you’ll enjoy it! It’s just one of those delicious, versatile dressings. And the fact that it’s simple and inexpensive is pretty nice too! 🙂
Lupe
I’m excited to try this recipe, do you know how long it will last in the fridge?
ThriftyFrugalMom
Lupe, I have had it in the fridge for at least a month, probably longer, and it has been just fine. The onion is really the only thing that might “spoil” easily and with it being refrigerated, it seems to be just fine. Hope that helps!
theartinpartyplanning
I’m excited to try this on taco salad this week (yes, we do weekly taco/salad night at our house). Usually I don’t use dressing, but this sounds like a nice way to change it up. Thanks!
sarah
This is delicious! How long is it good for in the fridge?
ThriftyFrugalMom
Sarah, it should keep in the fridge for at least a month. (I’m pretty sure I’ve had it go longer than that too.) Since the onion is really the only thing that might “spoil” and with it being refrigerated, that doesn’t happen very quickly. Hope that helps!
Wally Bradley
I just found you off of Pinterest! You’re like a little frugal angel?
Jackie
Do you have to use the celery seed?
ThriftyFrugalMom
I’ve only ever made it with the celery seed included so I’m not exactly sure how it would be without. But I do think it would still probably be good, just a little less flavorful probably. I did a quick Google search and dill seed and celery salt are both good substitutes for celery seed if you happen to have them, although if you use the celery salt, you’ll want to reduce the amount of salt as well.
Hope that helps!
Jo
Wow! Need I say anything else? 🙂 I’ve been following your blog for several years and this recipe kept popping up in your menus and finally today I actually tried it and I now wonder why I waited so long???? This dressing is delicious!
ThriftyFrugalMom
Jo, your comment made my day! 🙂 So glad you finally tried the recipe and loved it. It’s still a favorite around here and I always just make a double recipe anymore, because we go through it so fast.
Bev
Do you use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar? I’m assuming white but just making sure! Also, I would like to leave the onion out – is it a must?
ThriftyFrugalMom
I use apple cider vinegar, actually. Thanks for asking that- I’m going to update the recipe so that it’s clear. As for the onion, I really think the dressing would be bland without it. The onion is partly what gives it flavor. If you aren’t fond of onions, it might help to know that I didn’t used to really like them that well, but didn’t mind them in this. Even just adding half an onion might be okay, but I really don’t think you’d want to totally leave it out.
Anne Lawton
I always use homemade salad dressing, now I have an other delicious one to add to my rotation.
ThriftyFrugalMom
We love homemade salad dressings! Yum!
Marsha Maxwell
I love this dressing, and the ingredients are so simple!
ThriftyFrugalMom
Glad you enjoyed it, Marsha! And yes, sometimes simple is the best, right?
Lesli
Thank you for putting the recipe at the top so a sister doesn’t have to scroll to the South Pole like other sites just to make the recipe….I very much appreciate that.
ThriftyFrugalMom
You’re welcome, Lesli!
Lalia
I’ll be making this in a few min! I read all the comments but I’m curious. Why is this a Mexican Dressing?
PS I’m dairy free so I’m extra happy!
ThriftyFrugalMom
You know, I’m not really sure…it’s just what we always called it and I never thought much about it. But there really is nothing Mexican about it, so it is kind of odd. At any rate, I hope you enjoyed it! 🙂
gail
love, love, love all of your homemade recipies, have not tried to make anything as yet because i just found your site. BUT you’ve made my mouth water. thanks gail
ThriftyFrugalMom
Aw, thank you, Gail! I love sharing my passion for creating simple frugal food that is still delicious and relatively healthy. Blessings!
Linda
Thank you for all the recipes that you share and are easy on the budget.
Substituted Italian Seasoning as I did not have Celery Seed.
It was delicious.
Lydia Beiler
You are so welcome, Linda! It’s my pleasure. And I love the idea of using Italian seasoning. It would give this a bit of a different flavor but I think it would be a fun switch. I think I’m going to try it on my next batch myself.