Lemon Vinaigrette (Salad Dressing Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (2024)

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by Joanne May 17, 2023

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This Lemon Vinaigrette is my absolute favorite homemade salad dressing, and it’s incredibly simple to make. Store-bought dressings truly don’t compare to this fresh flavor, and it only takes 5 minutes to make!

Lemon Vinaigrette (Salad Dressing Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (1)

I went back and forth for years over whether homemade salad dressing is worth making, since you can buy it so easily at the store. But my answer has undoubtedly becomeYES! Even after trying all the fancy, more expensive salad dressing lines, the flavor just doesn’t compare to homemade.

First, none of the store-bought salad dressings use extra virgin olive oil as the primary oil(as far as I’ve seen), and EVOO is not only the healthiest oil, but also the most spectacular in flavor.

Salad dressing is such a perfect example of how freshness can make things a million times better, and even the refrigerated store-bought salad dressings taste old and flat to me. Homemade is the way to go, with its unmatched bright flavor!

Tips for Best Results

Buy a fresh, high-quality olive oil – Extra virgin olive oil varies HUGELY in quality and flavor. Some brands are nearly flavorless, while good brands are peppery, fruity, and flavorful. Make sure you use a fresh bottle, because rancid oil will ruin your salad. I recommend some below.

Juice fresh lemons yourself – Do not buy already squeezed lemon juice in a carton. These substitutes do not compare to fresh lemon juice. It only takes a minute to squeeze yourself, and it will taste so much fresher and have no preservatives.

Press the garlic – While you can get away with minced garlic, I like to use an actual garlic press here, which more juices the garlic. It will distribute the flavor well in the dressing without any big pieces.

The beauty of this homemade lemon vinaigrette dressing is that it can be made in 5 minutes, and is versatile enough to go with just about everything.

Main Ingredients You’ll Need:

  • fresh lemons
  • garlic
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • Dijon mustard
  • kosher salt
  • black pepper
Lemon Vinaigrette (Salad Dressing Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (2)

I know it seems really simple, but the flavor profile is fantastic.

Olive Oils I Recommend

Good olive oil is essential to ensure that the dressing tastes good. This is not an exhaustive list, but here are some of the best extra virgin olive oils for flavor, in my opinion:

Trader Joe’s 100% Greek Kalamata Extra Virgin Olive Oil – One of the more cost friendly options. Incredible flavor, but very peppery.

California Olive Ranch – The flavor and freshness is incredible. I’ve liked every variety I’ve tried.

Lucini Extra Virgin First Cold Press – Pricey, but amazing flavor and fruity notes.

I do not recommend bargain olive oils or cheaper brands like Pompeian, Mazola, Colavita, or Filippo Berio. Many extra virgin olive oils have been found to be fake, and diluted with seed oils.

Lemon Vinaigrette (Salad Dressing Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (3)

Once you learn this recipe as a base, you can add different ingredients to it.

Sometimes I’ll add fresh herbs like minced rosemary, oregano, or chives, or even umami-rich ingredients like anchovy paste, to change up the flavor.

Step by Step Overview:

To make the lemon vinaigrette, combine freshly squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest, pressed garlic, mustard, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl:

Lemon Vinaigrette (Salad Dressing Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (4)

Whisk that together, until it has a milky beige appearance, then slowly whisk in extra virgin olive oil:

Lemon Vinaigrette (Salad Dressing Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (5)

Doing this slowly will help emulsify the lemon dressing:

Lemon Vinaigrette (Salad Dressing Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (6)

Alternatively, you can place everything in a mason jar, or any container with a tight-fitting lid, and shake it together for a good 30-60 seconds, until combined.

How to Serve It

Salads are the best application for this lemon salad dressing, whether it’s a simple green salad, a leafy Kale Salad, Tomato Burrata Salad, or Zucchini Ribbon Salad.

You can also drizzle on fish like Grilled Salmon, Seared Snapper, or Grilled Lobster Tails with Sriracha Butter.

You can also brighten up vegetable sides like Roasted Cauliflower, Roasted Fennel, and Roasted Brussels Sprouts by tossing it with a few tablespoons.

Lemon Vinaigrette (Salad Dressing Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (7)

More Homemade Dressings

Balsamic Vinaigrette and Basil Vinaigrette are some of my other favorite homemade dressings. Cilantro Lime Dressing is also another favorite, which I pair with my Steak Salad. Or Try it on our Pear Salad!

Tips and FAQ

Does Lemon Vinaigrette need to be refrigerated?

Yes, store in the fridge for up to 10 days.

Can you freeze Lemon Vinaigrette?

Yes, in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Note that it will not taste as fresh upon thawing.

Is Lemon Vinagrette healthy?

This recipe is Whole30 compliant, low carb, keto friendly, gluten-free, dairy-free, etc! It’s suitable for pretty much every eating style I know of.

What if the dressing hardens in the fridge?

The olive oil may solidify in the fridge because it’s so cold. Leave at room temperature for 10 minutes, then give a good shake or a whisk, and toss into your salad.

Did you enjoy the recipe? Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. Or, follow me on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest!

Lemon Vinaigrette (Salad Dressing Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (8)

Lemon Vinaigrette

Servings: 6 , makes 3/4 cup

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 5 minutes mins

This Lemon Vinaigrette has bright and tangy flavor, and pairs well with nearly any salad.

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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • zest of 1 lemon (1/4 tsp packed)
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 garlic cloves minced or pressed (1 tsp)
  • 1/2 tsp salt*
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Place all ingredients in a bowl and whisk to combine.

  • Or, place all ingredients in a jar, and shake to combine.

  • Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Enjoy!

Notes

If the dressing loses its emulsification, simply whisk it again (or shake it in the jar).

*Salt varies tremendously in terms of “saltiness per teaspoon” from brand to brand. A kosher salt such as Diamond Crystal brand is about half as salty as a typical iodized table salt. If you’re sensitive to salt or are using table salt, start with less salt and season to taste.

Storing leftovers: Keep in the fridge for up to 10 days. If the olive oil hardens in the fridge, leave at room temperature for 10 minutes, then shake or whisk, and toss into your salad.

Freezing: You may freeze for up to 2 months, but will not taste as fresh.

Nutrition

Calories: 163kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 18g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Sodium: 204mg, Potassium: 10mg, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 2mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Author: Fifteen Spatulas

posted in: All Recent Posts, Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Low Carb, Salads, Sauces, Spice Mixes, Dressings, etc., Vegan, Whole30 Compliant 58 comments

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    58 Comments on “Lemon Vinaigrette”

  1. Emily Reply

    So good! I had a lemon vinaigrette dressing out that I was trying to recreate and this one was it! Just the right amount of lemon and seasoned to perfection, I will definately be keeping this in my fridge as a go to dressing.

  2. Ellen Reply

    Yummy, love the addition of the lemon zest. I did one clove of garlic and added three teaspoons of maple syrup.
    Thanks!

Lemon Vinaigrette (Salad Dressing Recipe) - Fifteen Spatulas (2024)

FAQs

What is the formula for vinaigrette dressing? ›

The French have decided that the perfect ratio for a vinaigrette is 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar. For my personal taste, that's a little too oily — but it's totally up to you. My simple system is: In a small screw-top jar, place vinegar and a pinch of salt; cover and shake (this helps to dissolve the salt).

What are some common mistakes to avoid when making vinaigrette? ›

12 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Making Homemade Vinaigrette
  • Estimating measurements for all ingredients. inspiredbyart/Shutterstock. ...
  • Using the wrong oil. ...
  • Using the wrong vinegar. ...
  • Leaving out the emulsifier. ...
  • Skipping the mustard. ...
  • Forgetting to check expiration dates. ...
  • Not using fresh herbs. ...
  • Using vinaigrette only on salad.
Aug 18, 2022

Does lemon vinaigrette need to be refrigerated? ›

While oils and vinegars don't need to be refrigerated on their own, once you add in ingredients like fresh-squeezed citrus juice, mustard and garlic to make a homemade vinaigrette, it's a good idea to pop any leftovers in the refrigerator.

What is the ratio for a vinaigrette? ›

For a traditional vinaigrette, you'll need to mix about 3 tablespoons of oil to 1 tablespoon of vinegar. You'll also want to add some salt and pepper to taste. Of course, for all four ingredients, the better the quality you use, the better your vinaigrette will taste.

What is classic vinaigrette made of? ›

Put the mustard, vinegar and olive oil in a jar and season. Shake vigorously to mix. Store in a cool place (not the fridge) until ready to use. Use for all your salads or try one of our recipes, right.

What is house vinaigrette made of? ›

This is our basic vinaigrette, three parts oil, one part acid, pared almost to its essentials—no shallots, no salt and pepper—so that it can be used almost like a sauce base. The mustard adds flavor and strengthens the emulsion.

What are the ingredients in Newman's own vinaigrette? ›

Canola Oil, Water, Apple Cider Vinegar, Distilled Vinegar, Feta Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Green Olives (Green Olives, Water, Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Lactic Acid), Sugar, Dijon Mustard (Distilled Vinegar, Mustard Seed, Water, Salt, White Wine, Citric Acid, ...

What is the stabilizer in a vinaigrette? ›

An emulsifier is used in a vinaigrette to stabilize the oil and vinegar. Common emulsifiers include egg yolks, soy lecithin, and mustard. These ingredients all include lecithin--the stabilizing compound. In many vinaigrettes, mustard is the go-to stabilizer.

Why does homemade vinaigrette go bad? ›

How Long Does Homemade Vinaigrette Last? Traditional vinaigrettes, like the balsamic version listed below, will last longer—sometimes up to a few weeks. However, anything with fresh garlic should be consumed within a few days, as the combination of garlic and oil can form harmful bacteria over time.

What goes on first, oil or vinegar? ›

According to Hazan, "the acid of vinegar, like that of lemon, 'cooks' a salad, which explains why the oil is poured first, to protect the greens."

Why is my lemon vinaigrette bitter? ›

While lemon zest can up the lemony flavor of your vinaigrette, it will also leave it with a bitter flavor. It's best to stick with just lemon juice and skip the zest. Too much acid.

What is the healthiest salad dressing? ›

8 Simple and Healthy Salad Dressings
  1. Sesame ginger. This simple salad dressing doubles as an easy marinade for meat, poultry, or roasted veggies. ...
  2. Balsamic vinaigrette. ...
  3. Avocado lime. ...
  4. Lemon vinaigrette. ...
  5. Honey mustard. ...
  6. Greek yogurt ranch. ...
  7. Apple cider vinaigrette. ...
  8. Ginger turmeric.
Jul 27, 2023

What is a good olive oil for salad dressings? ›

Best for Salad Dressing: 365 Mediterranean Blend Extra Virgin Olive Oil. When it comes to salad dressing, you need an EVOO that can stand up to the potency of vinegar but also complement it in a way that doesn't assault the taste buds.

What is vinaigrette dressing made of? ›

In general, vinaigrette consists of 3 parts of oil to 1 part of vinegar whisked into an emulsion. Salt and pepper are often added. Herbs and shallots, too, are often added, especially when it is used for cooked vegetables or grains. Sometimes mustard is used as an emulsifier and to add flavour.

What are the two fundamental ingredients used to make a vinaigrette? ›

A vinaigrette is made of two basic ingredients - olive oil and balsamic.

Which of the following ingredients is used in making basic vinaigrette? ›

Oil and vinegar are the base of the vinaigrette, but they need a little help if they're going to really make a salad appetizing. If you're new to making salad dressings at home, try starting out with just adding some simple salt and pepper.

What are the ingredients in specially selected vinaigrette? ›

INGREDIENTS: EXPELLER-PRESSED CANOLA OIL, CIDER VINEGAR, EVAPORATED CANE SUGAR, WATER, GARLIC CLOVES, SEA SALT, BLACK PEPPER, BASIL, OREGANO, GARLIC POWDER, SODIUM ALGINATE.

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