Go Back
–+ servings
lemon vinaigrette dressing recipe in a clear jar with lemon slice on the side and pepper garnish

Lemon Vinaigrette

Bright and zippy Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing pairs perfectly with nearly every salad and adds fresh flavor to every meal. It's so simple to make with ingredients you have in your pantry, along with freshly squeezed lemon juice. It's our go-to salad dressing, and our kids just love it. Whip up a batch and keep any extras in the fridge for fresh salads, marinade, or dipping sauce for the whole week!
Each recipe makes 2/3 cup of vinaigrette. Each serving is about 2 Tablespoons. It's enough to dress 1 large salad.
Author: Natasha Kravchuk
Servings: 5 servings
Calories: 134
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1/3 cup Extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, from 1 1/2 to 2 lemons
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground, more to taste
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 medium garlic cloves, 1 tsp grated or pressed
  • 1/2 tsp honey, or maple syrup, optional to tame acidity

Instructions

  • Mix - In a medium bowl with a whisk, combine all of the ingredients except the oil. Whisk until blended and emulsified. While whisking vigorously, slowly put in the oil and whisk until blended and emulsified. You can also shake up the dressing in a mason jar until emulsified and creamy.
  • Taste and adjust if needed (see troubleshooting table below). Transfer to a mason jar or an airtight container and refrigerate. If it solidifies or separates in the fridge, leave it out for a bit on the counter, then shake to recombine.

Notes

Troubleshooting Lemon Vinaigrette: Ingredients and tastes vary, so here's how to adjust the dressing to fit your preferences:
  • Too sharp/ sour? Add more oil if it seems too punchy or lemony. You could also add a hint of honey to sweeten.
  • Too mild/ oily? Add a splash more of lemon juice or a bit more Dijon.
  • Too salty? Add more oil plus a splash of lemon juice
  • Too garlicky? Add more oil and lemon juice
  • Dressing Separates? Whisk or shake vigorously or blend for 10 seconds.
Optional - add fresh herbs such as parsley, chives, cilantro, thyme, or oregano.
Storage - Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to one week. If the dressing separates, leave it at room temperature for 5-10 minutes and then shake vigorously to re-emulsify.
Nutrition Facts
Lemon Vinaigrette
Amount per Serving
Calories
134
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
14
g
22
%
Saturated Fat
 
2
g
13
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
11
g
Sodium
 
244
mg
11
%
Potassium
 
18
mg
1
%
Carbohydrates
 
2
g
1
%
Fiber
 
0.1
g
0
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Protein
 
0.1
g
0
%
Vitamin A
 
2
IU
0
%
Vitamin C
 
5
mg
6
%
Calcium
 
3
mg
0
%
Iron
 
0.1
mg
1
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
QR Code linking back to recipe