Description
A bright, tangy Lemon Dressing that adds freshness and zest to salads, grilled vegetables, and seafood. Made with fresh lemon juice, olive oil, and simple ingredients, this versatile dressing is quick to prepare, customizable, and packed with vitamin C, making it a healthy and flavorful addition to any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (or to taste)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional Variations
- Fresh herbs (basil, thyme, or dill), chopped
- Greek yogurt or mayonnaise (for creamy twist)
- Pinch of red pepper flakes or dash of hot sauce (for spicy kick)
- Agave syrup or maple syrup (as vegan sweetener alternative)
- Additional citrus juices (lime or orange) for zesty mix
- Fresh lemon zest, for enhanced aroma
Instructions
- Squeeze the Lemons: Start by juicing fresh lemons to get about 1/4 cup of bright, fresh lemon juice. Avoid pre-bottled juice for the best natural flavor and brightness.
- Whisk Together the Base: In a bowl, combine the lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic. Whisk until well combined, which creates a smooth base to help the oil emulsify.
- Slowly Add Olive Oil: While whisking vigorously, slowly drizzle the olive oil into the lemon mixture. This helps create a creamy emulsion rather than a separated dressing.
- Add Sweetener and Seasonings: Stir in honey or your sweetener of choice, then season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Adjust sweetness and seasoning gradually for a balanced flavor.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste your Lemon Dressing and tweak the ingredients as needed — add more lemon juice for extra tang, more honey to soften acidity, or more garlic for a savory punch.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients to help the oil and lemon juice blend more easily into a smooth dressing.
- Emulsify properly by adding oil slowly with constant whisking to prevent separation.
- Let the dressing rest for 10-15 minutes to allow flavors to meld and mellow.
- Add fresh lemon zest to enhance lemon aroma and deliver extra bright citrus punch.
- Shake or whisk the dressing again before serving if it has been stored and separated.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
- Freezing is not recommended as texture and separation may worsen.
- Serve cold or at room temperature; no reheating needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No cooking required
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 1.5g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 6.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5.6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0.1g
- Protein: 0.1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: lemon dressing, lemon vinaigrette, salad dressing, healthy dressing, fresh lemon sauce, citrus dressing
