On Making a Vinaigrette

Of the several ways to mix a vinaigrette, none is better than another. The method you choose depends on your situation and what effect you’re after.

Simply combining the ingredients and stirring them just before you use them is the easiest and most common way to mix vinaigrettes. Some people combine everything in a jar and shake. That works fine, but the oil will quickly separate from the vinegar, so you need to pour the vinaigrette immediately.

Many home cooks have immersion blenders or hand blenders. I do—it’s probably my most-used small appliance. I highly recommend it. Immersion blenders usually come with a cup-and-blade attachment, ideal for making small quantities of vinaigrettes. Just combine all the ingredients and process briefly. Immersion blenders also come with a whisk attachment, which saves a lot of effort.