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Fresh lemon vinaigrette dressing in a glass jar with salad ingredients

Perfecting Lemon Vinaigrette


  • Author: Sarah Mendez
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: About 1/2 cup 1x

Description

This bright and zesty Lemon Vinaigrette adds a fresh burst of flavor to salads, vegetables, and more. Made with simple ingredients like lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil, it’s a quick, versatile dressing that elevates any dish.


Ingredients

Scale

Essentials:

  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 small garlic clove, grated
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt (more to taste)
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 to 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

Optional Add-Ons:

  • 1/2 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh or dried thyme (optional)

Substitutions and Shortcuts:

  • Use lime juice or vinegar if lemons aren’t available
  • Substitute garlic powder for fresh garlic
  • Use whole grain or yellow mustard if Dijon isn’t on hand
  • Shake ingredients in a jar instead of whisking

Instructions

  1. Prepare Ingredients: Gather all ingredients and tools. Use a small bowl for whisking or a jar with a lid for shaking.
  2. Whisk Base: In a bowl, combine lemon juice, grated garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and optional honey or maple syrup. Whisk until fully combined.
  3. Add Olive Oil: While whisking continuously, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until emulsified and the dressing thickens slightly.
  4. Adjust Flavors: Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and olive oil to your preference. Stir in thyme if using.
  5. Store: Pour into a jar with a lid. Refrigerate for up to 1 week. Let sit at room temperature and shake before using.

Notes

  • Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor.
  • Great as a salad dressing or drizzled over roasted vegetables or grilled chicken.
  • The dressing may solidify in the fridge—bring to room temp before use.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Dressing
  • Method: No-cook
  • Cuisine: American, Mediterranean

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
  • Calories: 90
  • Sugar: 0g
  • Sodium: 60mg
  • Fat: 9g
  • Saturated Fat: undefined
  • Unsaturated Fat: undefined
  • Trans Fat: undefined
  • Carbohydrates: 1g
  • Fiber: undefined
  • Protein: 0g
  • Cholesterol: undefined

Keywords: lemon vinaigrette, lemon salad dressing, homemade vinaigrette, healthy dressing, quick vinaigrette, garlic lemon dressing