Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe
I love how this homemade lemon vinaigrette dressing elevates the flavor of my salads. In just 10 minutes, I make this tangy dressing using fresh lemons, mustard, honey, oil, fresh herbs, and seasonings, and it tastes incredible when drizzled over any meals. The best part is how well it stores, making it perfect to keep on hand.
Ingredients
- Juice of 1 lemon
- ¼ cup white distilled vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons honey
- ¾ cup olive oil or blended oil
- 2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh chives
- 1 tablespoon finely minced fresh thyme
- sea salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the lemon juice, vinegar, mustard, and honey to a medium size bowl.
- Whisk vigorously until it is combined.
- Slowly drizzle in the oil while continuing to vigorously whisk the dressing to emulsify it. The vinaigrette should be thickened and completely combined once all the oil is added.
- Add the chives, thyme, salt, and pepper to the dressing.
- Whisk the vinaigrette together to combine the remaining ingredients. Store or serve it.
Notes
Emulsify is simply a culinary term for combining two ingredients that normally do not mix well, like oil and vinegar. So, my best tip for this Lemon Vinaigrette recipe is to add the oil slowly while whisking so the dressing stays well combined and smooth, giving it the balanced texture and flavor you want in a good homemade dressing.
Stand mixer option: You can make this recipe in a stand mixer with the whisk attachment.
Use fresh lemon juice: I always use fresh lemon juice because it gives the dressing better balance and flavor. Bottled juice does not compare.
Whisk the base well: I fully whisk the lemon juice, vinegar, mustard, and honey before adding the oil.
Adjust at the end: I taste the dressing at the end and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Use fresh herbs: I use fresh herbs whenever possible because they add a cleaner and brighter finish to the dressing.
Make-Ahead: You can make this lemon dressing recipe up to 3 days ahead of time. You can serve this immediately, but more flavors will come out with time. In addition, let it sit at room temperature before serving it.
How to Store: Place in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 7 to 10 days. This will not freeze.
Nutrition
Calories: 206kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 0.1gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gSodium: 8mgPotassium: 13mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 75IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 0.3mg