King Cole Restaurant French Dressing

The King Cole Restaurant French Dressing is a homemade dressing that will bring back great memories if you were lucky to live in the Dayton, Ohio area. It’s hard to beat this creamy French salad dressing.

overhead view of homemade French salad dressing in a bowl and on a salad


When was the last time you had a salad in a restaurant because you wanted it instead of just thinking that you were “being good” by ordering it? Never, right? That’s a shame because a well-made salad can be delicious, especially if you are using a fantastic dressing like this French dressing recipe. This King Cole Restaurant-inspired dressing is not your typical bottled French; it is much, much better. No one-note, cloyingly sweet salad dressing here, just pure flavor that enhances, not conceals the taste of fresh veggies.

What Makes This Homemade French Dressing Recipe So Unique?

This homemade French dressing is the real thing, the way it used to taste before the mega food corporations took over. Today, most bottled French dressings are little more than ketchup and mayo with a little seasoning thrown in, but this one is different. It has a secret that puts it well above anything you can find on the supermarket shelves: It contains a fresh egg.

The uncooked egg makes all the difference when it comes to both the consistency and the flavor of this French dressing. However, it is important to note that although many traditional salad dressings use raw eggs, uncooked eggs can sometimes cause medical issues. If you are concerned, you may want to use pasteurized eggs or choose a different dressing recipe.

How to Make This Easy Homemade French Dressing

This recipe is an emulsion, meaning that it combines oil and egg yolk. Creating an emulation requires a bit of technique, but bringing this French dressing together is very similar to making mayonnaise. Try to use a blender to get the best results, but if you don’t have one, a whisk will work as long you’re ready for a good workout.

  1. Start by putting all of the ingredients in the mixing bowl except for the oil. You can use any neutral flavored oil in this recipe, such as canola, vegetable, or corn oil.
  2. If you are using a stand mixer, make sure to install the balloon whisk attachment and give the ingredients a little mix on the lowest setting to incorporate everything.
  3. Once the base ingredients are combined, keep the blender running on the lowest setting, and begin to add a few drops of the oil at a time. After you add about two to three tablespoons of oil, turn the blender to medium-low, and continue to pour in a thin, steady stream until you add all the remaining oil.

Tips for Serving and Storing This Easy Homemade French Dressing

  • Don’t overdress the salad. You don’t need a lot of this French dressing to add a lot of flavor to your salad. A couple of tablespoons is all you need. To ensure the dressing is evenly distributed, do what restaurants do, toss the salad with the dressing right before serving.
  • Store in the fridge. This is not a shelf-stable dressing, and you need to keep it refrigerated. It is best to use up the French dressing on the same day you make it, but it will last for up to 3 days in the fridge.

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Ingredients

Here’s a list of what you need:

  • Egg
  • Ketchup
  • White vinegar
  • Sugar
  • Salt
  • Paprika
  • Salad oil
King Cole Restaurant French dressing ingredients

How to Make French Dressing

  1. Mix all ingredients except salad oil in a blender.
    King Cole French dressing ingredients in a blender
  2. With the motor running, drizzle the salad oil in a steady stream and blend until emulsified.
  3. Season with salt and pepper if desired.

You may wonder how long you can store this salad dressing. You can store this salad dressing for up to 3 days. You must keep this salad dressing refrigerated as it is homemade and it does contain an egg.

a bowl of homemade French salad dressing next to a salad

Looking for more great homemade salad dressings? Try these recipes!

Be sure to check out more of my easy salad dressing recipes and the best restaurant copycat recipes here on CopyKat!

overhead view of homemade French salad dressing in a bowl and on a salad

King Cole Restaurant French Dressing

Enjoy this creamy French salad dressing, you won’t believe how good a homemade dressing can taste.
5 from 4 votes
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Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: French Dressing, French Salad Dressing, Salad Dressing
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 24
Calories: 53kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 tablespoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 2 1/2 cups salad oil

Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients except salad oil in a blender.  
  • With the motor running, drizzle the salad oil in a steady stream. Blend until emulsified.
  • Season with salt and pepper if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 53kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 239mg | Potassium: 47mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 350IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.2mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Leah

    5 stars
    While going to cosmology school in the 1970’s, I would go to King Cole, in Dayton, Ohio, for lunch. I would often get the French Dressing on my salad. Thank you for publishing this recipe!

  2. Leslie

    I just made this This the BEST french dressing hands down and I’ve tried a lot I could just eat this right out of the jar!! Now please don’t hate but I swapped the paprika out for the smoked version just to add a bit of tang This one is a keeper

  3. Baltisraul

    The King Cole was an elegant place that my parents would take me once a year around Christmas. It was the first time I experienced fried lobster. Wow, did I think I was special. Don’t remember this salad dressing but we are going to try it and tip a glass to a lost restaurant great memory.

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