Kitchen

[Vamp]

I like to make my own salad dressings. Often, I make a vinaigrette but I also sometimes add seasonings (like Good Seasonings salad dressing mix). Here's my question: if the ingredients are just oil, vinegar, a little water and seasoning mix, does it need to be refrigerated? Why?

The Good Seasonings packet says to refrigerate it for up to 4 weeks and to take it out of the refrigerator an hour before using (because when refrigerated, the olive oil becomes a slushy solid). I can understand why you would refrigerate salad dressing if it has buttermilk, mayonnaise or something like that in it, but if it's just oil & vinegar & spices, why is it necessary?

For the record, we eat a lot of salads, and my dressing never lasts 4 weeks to begin with. I would appreciate your thoughts and experience. Thanks in advance!