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.
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.
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.
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.
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
You can refrigerate the dressing for up to a week.
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.
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.
Yes! Don’t try to use pre-packaged lemon juice, it won’t taste the same.
Did you make this recipe?!? I’d love to know how it turned out! leave a comment and a rating below👇 thank you!
Best Lemon Salad Dressing (Vinaigrette)
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.
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!
Everyone needs a good, classic vinaigrette recipe. This one looks like the perfect one to keep on hand!
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!
Very delicious vinaigrette, perfect for summer salads. I even used it on my grilled fish, it was fantastic!
I can tell this will be another favorite dressing to make! Simple ingredients are always the best.
Perfect dressing to have on hand at all times. Not just for salads but also on roasted veggies.
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!
Simple ingredients make a wonderful and tasty dressing. This is perfect for salads. I would use it as a sub sauce too.