Salad dressing, french dressing, commercial, regular
Whole food · Fats and Oils
Photo: Wikipedia
Commercial French dressing is a thick, creamy, and vibrantly orange-red emulsion with a tangy, sweet, and mildly spiced flavor profile. Its texture is smooth and pourable, coating greens and vegetables with a rich, glossy sheen. Nutritionally, it is a high-fat, high-calorie condiment, with nearly 40 grams of fat per 100 grams, primarily from added oils and sugars.
Calorie split: 1% protein · 17% carbs · 82% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love French dressing for its bold, sweet-tangy flavor that transforms a simple salad into a satisfying meal. Its creamy texture and nostalgic, comforting taste make it a versatile staple in American home cooking and diner culture.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar and fat content can contribute to blood-sugar spikes and excess calorie intake, making it a concern for those managing diabetes or weight. To counteract, use strict portion control (1-2 tablespoons per serving) and pair it with protein-rich foods like grilled chicken or chickpeas to slow sugar absorption. Also, check labels for high sodium content.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from fats and carbohydrates
- Enhances the palatability of raw vegetables and salads, encouraging consumption
- Contains small amounts of dietary fiber from tomato and spice components
- Offers convenience as a ready-to-use flavor enhancer for meals
- Can aid in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) from salads
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Despite its name, French dressing is an American invention, not a traditional French condiment. It likely evolved from a French vinaigrette but was adapted with ketchup and sugar in the early 20th century, becoming a staple in U.S. diners and households.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 39.3 g |
| Energy | 419 kcal |
| Energy | 1753 kj |
| Protein | 0.87 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 39.1 g |
| Ash | 1.9 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 18.8 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.4 g |
| Total Sugars | 17.4 g |
| Sucrose | 4.0 g |
| Glucose | 6.6 g |
| Fructose | 6.2 g |
| Lactose | 0.73 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Starch | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 27.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.32 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 7.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 25.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 108 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 661 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.12 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.02 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.04 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.04 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.06 mg |
| Niacin | 0.23 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.04 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Choline, total | 4.6 mg |
| Betaine | 0.30 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.14 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 23.0 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 232 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 92.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 464 iu |
| Lycopene | 373 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 5.0 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 121 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 6.1 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 4.1 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.6 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.12 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.13 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.05 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 8.9 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 8.6 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 8.6 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.19 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.05 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.05 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 23.0 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 20.0 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 20.0 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 2.9 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 2.8 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.10 g |
| PUFA 18:3i | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.08 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.02 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.02 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.06 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.06 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Salad dressing, sesame seed dressing, regular — USDA does not publish this profile for Salad dressing.
| Tryptophan | 0.05 g |
| Threonine | 0.05 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.05 g |
| Leucine | 0.08 g |
| Lysine | 0.14 g |
| Methionine | 0.03 g |
| Cystine | 0.00 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.09 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.10 g |
| Valine | 0.07 g |
| Arginine | 0.40 g |
| Histidine | 0.03 g |
| Alanine | 0.00 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.46 g |
| Glycine | 0.00 g |
| Proline | 0.00 g |
| Serine | 0.00 g |
FAQ
Is French dressing the same as Catalina dressing?
No, while both are red and sweet-tangy, French dressing is typically creamier and may contain more spices, while Catalina is often thinner, tangier, and more tomato-forward. They are distinct commercial products.
Can I make a healthier version at home?
Yes, you can make a lighter French dressing using olive oil, apple cider vinegar, tomato paste, a small amount of sugar or honey, and spices like paprika and garlic. This reduces fat and sugar while adding more nutrients.
Is French dressing gluten-free?
Most commercial French dressings are gluten-free, but always check the label for added thickeners or flavorings that might contain gluten. Homemade versions are naturally gluten-free if using gluten-free ingredients.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 4.19 kcal/g · 1% calories from protein · 2.4 g fiber · 17.4 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 6.12 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.