Simple Homemade Salad Dressing with Lemon, Garlic, and Herbs Recipe

Introduction

This simple and versatile salad dressing is a perfect blend of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors that elevate any salad or vegetable dish. Made with common pantry ingredients, it’s quick to prepare and adaptable to your taste.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice (cider vinegar recommended)
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil or other neutral oil
• 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard or other smooth, non-spicy mustard
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/2 to 1 small garlic clove, pressed or smashed
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1/4 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp honey
• Finely chopped fresh herbs
• 1/2 tsp dried herbs
• Pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place the vinegar or lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, garlic, lemon zest, sugar, honey, fresh herbs, dried herbs, and red pepper flakes into a jar.
2. Step 2: Shake the jar vigorously until the mustard dissolves and the dressing is well combined.
3. Step 3: Use the dressing to dress a leafy salad for 4 people or a garden salad, tossing well to coat.
4. Step 4: For steamed, boiled, or roasted vegetables, drizzle the dressing while the vegetables are still hot to allow it to absorb fully.

Tips & Variations

• Make sure salad leaves are dry before dressing to help the dressing stick better.
• Adjust garlic quantity to taste or omit for a milder flavor.
• Swap fresh herbs for more dried herbs if fresh is unavailable, but reduce dried herbs slightly to avoid overpowering.
• Use different vinegars like balsamic or white wine for varied flavors.
• Add a splash of mustard powder for extra tang.

Storage

Store the dressing (without garlic and fresh herbs) in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a few weeks. Shake well before each use. Adding garlic and fresh herbs freshens the flavor but shortens shelf life, so add those just before serving when possible.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this dressing without honey?

Yes, you can substitute honey with maple syrup or omit it entirely for a less sweet dressing. The sugar helps balance acidity but is optional.

How do I prevent the dressing from separating?

Shake the jar well each time before using to recombine the oil and vinegar, which naturally separate. Serving immediately after shaking also ensures the best texture.

Simple Homemade Salad Dressing with Lemon, Garlic, and Herbs Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 77 reviews

A vibrant and tangy homemade salad dressing combining the bright acidity of vinegar or lemon juice with the richness of olive oil, balanced by mustard, garlic, and sweet notes of honey and sugar. Enhanced with fresh and dried herbs, this versatile dressing elevates any leafy green or vegetable dish with a flavorful, well-rounded taste.

• Author: Zane
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: Enough for dressing a salad for 4 people
• Category: Salad Dressing
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: International
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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Dressing

• 1 tbsp any vinegar or lemon juice (cider vinegar recommended)
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (or other neutral oil)
• 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard (or other non-spicy smooth mustard)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/2 – 1 small garlic clove, pressed or smashed
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1/4 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp honey
• Finely chopped fresh herbs (amount as desired)
• 1/2 tsp dried herbs
• Pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Combine Ingredients: Place all dressing ingredients, including optional fresh and dried herbs and red pepper flakes, into a jar.
2. Shake Well: Secure the lid and shake vigorously until the mustard fully dissolves and the dressing is emulsified.
3. Serving Size: This quantity is sufficient for dressing a large salad serving 4 people (approximately 4 big handfuls of lettuce or a garden salad).
4. Storage: Without the garlic and fresh herbs, the dressing can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks. Before using, shake well to recombine the ingredients.
5. Usage: Toss the dressing with fresh, dry salad leaves, or drizzle over steamed, boiled, or roasted vegetables while hot to enhance absorption and flavor. Mix well just before serving.

Notes

• Choose any vinegar or lemon juice based on preference; cider vinegar adds a mild sweetness.
• Adjust garlic amount to taste; fresh garlic provides a pungent kick.
• Honey and sugar balance acidity with sweetness; sugar can be omitted for a less sweet dressing.
• Use fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or dill for brightness and dried herbs for earthiness.
• Ensure salad leaves are dry for the dressing to adhere properly.
• Shake the dressing well before each use to maintain emulsification.
• Remove fresh herbs and garlic before long-term storage to prevent flavor degradation.

Keywords: salad dressing, homemade dressing, vinaigrette, olive oil dressing, healthy dressing, easy salad dressing, herb dressing