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Home » Course » Condiment » Best Lemon Salad Dressing (Vinaigrette)

Published: May 29, 2020 · Modified: Jan 31, 2022 by Veronika's Kitchen * This post may contain affiliate links

Best Lemon Salad Dressing (Vinaigrette)

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This homemade Lemon Salad Dressing in the best vinaigrette recipe. Made with just 6 simple ingredients, it has a perfect balance of tangy and sweet.

Lemon Vinaigrette in a mason jar and ingredients around.

I stopped buying store-bought salad dressing a while ago for a few reasons.

First, the quality of the ingredients. You will never see a high-quality extra-virgin olive oil or freshly squeezed lemon juice on the jar label. Also, as a sweetener, I use maple syrup instead of refined sugar. So, preparing this at home will make your salad so much healthier.

Second, homemade vinaigrette tastes so much better. You always can play around with the flavors and add any ingredients you want.

I love using this lemon vinaigrette with my favorite salads, like Roasted Beet Salad, Farro Salad, or Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad.

Table of contents

  • Why this recipe works
  • How to make it
  • Tips for best results
  • Frequently Asked Questions
Lemon Vinaigrette in a mason jar and ingredients around.

Why this recipe works

This Lemon Salad Dressing is similar to my Citrus Vinaigrette, but more lemony and has more “bite” to it.

It has a good balance of sharpness from vinegar and mustard, freshness from lemon juice and zest, and sweetness from maple syrup. And of course, you have to use a good quality extra-virgin olive oil to get the best results.

Ingredients for Lemon Vinaigrette.

How to make it

The recipe could not be easier. You just need to combine all the ingredients in a bowl or a mason jar and give it a stir.

Process photos of how to make Lemon Vinaigrette.
Process photos of how to make Lemon Vinaigrette.

Tips for best results

Olive Oil. Make sure you use a good quality extra-virgin olive oil. Some cheaper oils might have some bitterness and have a bad aftertaste.

Lemon. Always use fresh lemons for juice and zest. They will provide a lighter and more vibrant flavor.

Taste test. Always taste the dressing before adding it to the salad. You might want to adjust some flavors, like add more lemon juice or olive oil, or give it a bit more sweetness.

Garlic. I like to add a little bit of freshly minced garlic to my dressing for more aroma. Though, you can easily skip this ingredient or use a finely minced shallot instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to store?

You can refrigerate the dressing for up to a week.

Can I use it for meal prep?

Yes! I love keeping this Lemon Vinaigrette in the Summer in my fridge. It’s very versatile and you can use it in s many dishes and quick salads.

Do I have to use maple syrup?

I would highly suggest to use some type of sweetener in this vinaigrette, as it helps to balance the flavors. If you don’t have maple syrup you can use some honey or even regular granulated sugar.

Do I have to use fresh lemon juice?

Yes! Don’t try to use pre-packaged lemon juice, it won’t taste the same.

Lemon Vinaigrette in a mason jar and ingredients around.

Did you make this recipe?!? I’d love to know how it turned out! leave a comment and a rating below👇 thank you!

Lemon Vinaigrette in a mason jar and ingredients around.
Print Recipe
5 from 7 votes

Best Lemon Salad Dressing (Vinaigrette)

This homemade Lemon Salad Dressing in the best vinaigrette recipe. Made with just 6 simple ingredients, it has a perfect balanc eof tangy and sweet.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time5 mins
Total Time10 mins
Course: Dinner, lunch, Salad
Cuisine: American
Servings: 10 people
Calories: 106kcal
Author: Veronika’s Kitchen

Ingredients

  • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • ½ tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic minced, optional
  • 1 ½ tablespoon maple syrup
  • salt, pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Combine all the ingredients in a mason jar (Olive oil, lemon juice and zest, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, maple syrup, salt, and pepper).
  • Close the lid and shake well until all the ingredients are combined.

Notes

Olive Oil. Make sure you use a good quality extra-virgin olive oil. Some cheaper oils might have some bitterness and have a bad aftertaste.
Lemon. Always use fresh lemons for juice and zest. They will provide a lighter and more vibrant flavor.
Taste test. Always taste the dressing before adding it to the salad. You might want to adjust some flavors, like add more lemon juice or olive oil, or give it a bit more sweetness.
Garlic. I like to add a little bit of freshly minced garlic to my dressing for more aroma. Though, you can easily skip this ingredient or use a finely minced shallot instead.
How to store?
You can refrigerate the dressing for u to a week.

Nutrition

Calories: 106kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 13mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to know how it turned out! Please let me know by leaving a review below. Or snap a photo and share it on Instagram; be sure to tag me @veronikaskitchen.

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Reader Interactions

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Debbie says

    June 07, 2020 at 10:18 pm

    5 stars
    What a light and fresh vinaigrette for my summer salads. This has the perfect balance citrus, sweetness, and tanginess. I loves this on my strawberry and spinach salad!

    Reply
  2. Leslie says

    June 07, 2020 at 5:40 pm

    5 stars
    Everyone needs a good, classic vinaigrette recipe. This one looks like the perfect one to keep on hand!

    Reply
  3. Elaine says

    June 07, 2020 at 5:08 pm

    5 stars
    I NEED to add this vinaigrette to my collection of recipes, because it looks absolutely amazing! And you only need 6 ingredients, which makes it just perfect!

    Reply
  4. Jenny says

    June 07, 2020 at 1:47 pm

    5 stars
    Very delicious vinaigrette, perfect for summer salads. I even used it on my grilled fish, it was fantastic!

    Reply
  5. Denise says

    June 07, 2020 at 9:58 am

    I can tell this will be another favorite dressing to make! Simple ingredients are always the best.

    Reply
  6. Jen says

    June 04, 2020 at 8:43 pm

    5 stars
    Perfect dressing to have on hand at all times. Not just for salads but also on roasted veggies.

    Reply
  7. Shelley says

    June 01, 2020 at 8:17 pm

    5 stars
    I absolutely agree with you about making homemade dressings because they’re healthier and taste sooooo much better! Plus, you can tweak the flavor profiles to fit your mood or the exact salad you’re making. And with just six basic ingredients that are pretty much in my kitchen at all times … what could be easier?!?! Yay!

    Reply
  8. Gloria says

    June 01, 2020 at 6:36 pm

    5 stars
    Simple ingredients make a wonderful and tasty dressing. This is perfect for salads. I would use it as a sub sauce too.

    Reply

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