When I think of an Amish salad dressing, I think of Amish Sweet and Sour Dressing. The celery seed-laden dressing with vinegar and oil has long been one of my favorites.
The first time I ever remember eating this style of sweet and sour dressing was at a Dutch Pantry restaurant on a garden salad of mostly iceberg lettuce when I was a child. Despite my lack of enthusiasm for food in general during much of my childhood, I still remember eating this dressing.
As an adult, I used to order it every time I ate at a Dutch Pantry, which was much more often than in my childhood as I passed one on the way home from work every day. I also purchase Bob Evans’ Colonial dressing by the pint as well as in their restaurants. Or, I ate it when I went on fairly frequent trips to the Amish Country of Ohio. Then, I moved to an area that lacked any Dutch Pantry, Bob Evans, or an Amish Country. So, I bought the recipe of one of my favorite Amish Country restaurants and started making my own.
It stores very well in the refrigerator. A batch usually lasts me a couple of months when I make Amish Macaroni Salad for a crowd and even longer if I don’t. I have no idea what the actual shelf-life should be; I am just relaying my experience.
Sweet and Sour Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 c. granulated sugar
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. white or black pepper
- 1 tsp. celery seed
- 2 Tbsp. salad dressing (Miracle Whip)
- 2 tsp. prepared yellow mustard
- 1/2 c. apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 c. +/- sweet onion, grated or diced
- 1 c. oil ( canola, corn, or other mild oil)
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients except the oil in a blender.
- Turn on blender and slowly pour in the oil as ingredients blend.
- Blend until everything is well incorporated.
- Store in a jar or other glass container in the refrigerator.
LIsa says
I was just in Ohio for the weekend. I discovered sweet & sour salad dressing at a restaurant there. I was hoping to find a recipe for it online. Thank you so much!!
paula says
Glad I could help. I hope you enjoy it.
Kelly Nienke says
I’m wondering if this is the dressing I had at a restaurant in Mt Hope, they called it house dressing? I’ve looked for it for years with no luck. Love it.
paula says
It might be their house dressing. If it was Mrs. Yoder’s restaurant, they are likely to have a dressing that is very similar to this one as many Amish style restaurants are likely to have one.
Alicia Molina says
This recipe calls for way too much onion. It ruined it for me, and I dumped the whole batch.
paula says
Alicia, I am sorry to hear that you had a bad experience with the recipe. Onions can vary so much in flavor and size. Because of your feedback, I decided to reduce and convert the medium onion called for in the original recipe into standard measurements. Of course, this may still too much onion for your personal tastes and you may need to start with just a Tablespoon or so until you get the flavor you enjoy. Thanks for your feedback.