Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing
Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing is a delicious light dressing that can be used as a salad dressing, dip, or even a marinade. The fresh ingredients in this recipe give you intense flavors of sweetness, citrus, and tang.
This tasty vinaigrette is one of our absolute favorites. From the tart, zesty lemon juice to the fresh, bitter garlic this dressing is packed full of so many delicious flavors. Try drizzling this easy-to-make dressing on your favorite salad or serving it with some baked asparagus. In a matter of minutes, you and your family will have a delicious, fresh, flavor-filled dressing that you can add to almost any dish.
Our favorite part of this salad dressing is its quick and easy assemble. Chances are you already have most of these ingredients in your pantry, so making this vinaigrette is a breeze. The balance between the tart lemons and sweet honey leaves you with a harmonious flavor that will please even the pickiest of eaters. Looking to switch things up? Try swapping out some of the herbs in this dressing to create new exciting flavors that will taste amazing.
Ingredients:
- Juice from 2 lemons (about 1/3 of a cup)
- 1 teaspoon of Dijon Mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon of fresh thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon of honey
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 1/8 teaspoon of black ground pepper
- 1/3 cup of olive oil
What Is A Vinaigrette
These easy-to-make salad dressings are classified by their use of oil as a base. The use of olive oil gives these dressings a delicious, tart flavor. With just one main ingredient, these dressings are easy to customize and can be paired with a variety of dishes.
How to Make Lemon Vinaigrette
- Whisk together the lemon juice, mustard, garlic, thyme, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Slowly whisk in the olive oil until the mixture is homogenous.
- Allow your dressing to sit for at least 30 minutes.
- Shake, serve, and enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my lemon vinaigrette bitter?
If your vinaigrette is tasting too bitter for your liking, try adding a little bit of extra lemon juice or honey. Vinaigrettes tend to have a naturally bitter flavor due to the olive oil, but this can be easily amended by adding some extra flavors.
How do I thicken my vinaigrette?
Adding a little bit of cornstarch or extra Dijon mustard is a quick and easy way to thicken your salad dressing. When thickening your dressing you will want to make sure the ingredients are homogenous, so be sure to whisk it thoroughly.
How do you keep homemade vinaigrette from separating?
The key to keeping your vinaigrette from separating is to emulsify the ingredients. To do this, whisk the mixture vigorously for 1-2 minutes. It’s natural for your vinaigrette to separate since the oil dissolves all the ingredients, so be sure to give the dressing a good shake and you’ll get all those delicious flavors!
How to Store Leftover Vinaigrette
Store your vinaigrette in a jar with an airtight lid in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Remember to shake your vinaigrette for about 30 seconds before using it again to make sure the ingredients are evenly distributed. Shaking the vinaigrette will ensure all the tasty flavors come through.
Serving Ideas
This delicious vinaigrette dressing goes especially well on our easy-to-make summer salad. In addition to being a classic salad topper, this vinaigrette also works great as a veggie dip or marinade for chicken, beef, etc. We also love how this fresh vinaigrette tastes drizzled over our easy-to-make fried goat cheese. Try combining the salad, goat cheese, and dressing to create a quick and hearty dish. No matter how you serve this delicious vinaigrette, your family is sure to come back to it over and over again.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Try mixing your vinaigrette together in a blender. Not only will it be quicker, but it will also blend all those flavors nicely and evenly!
- If you don’t want to use this vinaigrette as a salad dressing try using it as a marinade for some chicken or our Grilled Flank Steak instead of using the seasoning rub in the recipe, try this as a marinade.
- When making a homemade vinaigrette, don’t cheap out on your oil. Trust me on this one. You’ll want a quality flavor.
- If you want to up the lemon flavor in this vinaigrette, try adding the zest of one lemon or a few extra teaspoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
More Recipes:
Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing
Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing is a delicious light dressing that can be used as a salad dressing, dip, or even a marinade. The fresh ingredients in this recipe give you intense flavors of sweetness, citrus, and tang.
Ingredients
- Juice from 2 lemons (about 1/3 of a cup)
- 1 teaspoon of Dijon Mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon of fresh thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon of honey
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 1/8 teaspoon of black ground pepper
- 1/3 cup of olive oil
- Lemons Juice—Freshly squeezed or bottled.
- Dijon Mustard—Or stone-ground mustard.
- Minced Garlic—To add a little bit of bitterness.
- Fresh Thyme—Finely chopped.
- Honey—To add some sweetness.
- Salt and Pepper—To taste.
- Olive Oil—The base of the vinaigrette.
Instructions
- Combine the lemon juice, dijon mustard, garlic, thyme, honey, salt, and pepper. Do this using a whisk.
- Once they are all combined and the honey is dissolved, slowly whisk in the olive oil.
- Allow the dressing to sit for at least 30 minutes. Before pouring over a salad, stir or shake it because the olive oil will separate. Refrigerate and enjoy for up to a week.
Notes
The lemon vinaigrette dressing is so simple and easy to make and keep on hand. Not only does it pair well with a salad but it also pairs nicely with chicken or fish.
- Try mixing your vinaigrette together in a blender. Not only will it be quicker, but it will also blend all those flavors nicely and evenly!
- If you don’t want to use this vinaigrette as a salad dressing try using it as a marinade for some chicken!
- When making a homemade vinaigrette, don’t cheap out on your oil. Trust me on this one. You’ll want a quality flavor.
- If you want to up the lemon flavor in this vinaigrette, try adding the zest of one lemon or a few extra teaspoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
