Description
A bright and zesty lemon dressing that is quick to prepare and perfect for salads, bowls, and grilled vegetables. This easy recipe balances tangy fresh lemon juice with smooth olive oil, a touch of sweetness, and subtle garlic, creating a vibrant, versatile dressing that is gluten and dairy-free.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 small clove garlic, minced
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Squeeze Fresh Lemon Juice: Start by juicing fresh lemons to get the purest and brightest lemon flavor possible. Use a citrus squeezer to avoid seeds and extract every drop. You’ll need about 2-3 tablespoons of juice depending on the lemons’ size.
- Combine Oil and Mustard: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together extra virgin olive oil and Dijon mustard. The mustard acts as a natural emulsifier, helping the oil and lemon juice blend into a smooth, creamy dressing.
- Add Sweetener and Garlic: Whisk in honey or maple syrup for a touch of sweetness, then stir in the minced garlic. This adds complexity and rounds out the tangy lemon.
- Season and Whisk: Finish by seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Whisk the mixture vigorously until well combined and slightly thickened.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste your lemon dressing and adjust ingredients if needed – add more lemon for tartness, more sweetener to balance acidity, or extra oil for creaminess.
Notes
- Use fresh lemons: Bottled lemon juice lacks brightness and can alter the flavor drastically.
- Slowly whisk in oil: Add the olive oil a little at a time while whisking to help the dressing emulsify better.
- Let it rest: Allowing the dressing to sit for 10 minutes helps flavors meld beautifully.
- Adjust sweetness last: Sweetness balances acidity differently for everyone, so add gradually.
- Store in a jar: Mix and store in a sealed jar for easy shaking and use throughout the week.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7.7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.1 g
- Protein: 0.1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: lemon dressing, salad dressing, homemade dressing, gluten-free dressing, dairy-free dressing, vegan dressing option, easy dressing, healthy dressing
