Homemade Salad Dressing with Lemon, Honey, and Fresh Herbs Recipe
This classic salad dressing recipe combines tangy vinegar, smooth mustard, and fresh herbs to create a versatile dressing ideal for leafy salads and roasted vegetables. With a balance of acidity, sweetness, and spice from garlic, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes, this easy-to-make dressing adds vibrant flavor to your favorite greens or cooked veggies. It’s quick to prepare and can be stored in the fridge for weeks, making it perfect for everyday use.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: Enough for about 4 servings
- Category: Salad Dressing
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing Ingredients
- 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 through crusher or smashed
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1/4 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp honey
- Finely chopped fresh herbs (amount to taste)
- 1/2 tsp dried herbs
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Combine the ingredients: Place the vinegar or lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, garlic, lemon zest, sugar, honey, fresh herbs, dried herbs, and red pepper flakes into a jar with a lid.
- Shake to emulsify: Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously until the mustard fully dissolves and the dressing is well combined, creating a smooth emulsion.
- Serve on salads or vegetables: Use the dressing to dress a big leafy salad for 4 people or a garden salad. Ensure salad leaves are dry so the dressing sticks well. It’s also excellent drizzled over steamed, boiled, or roasted vegetables—apply while the vegetables are hot for better absorption.
- Storage: Store the dressing, excluding fresh garlic and herbs, in the refrigerator where it will keep for several weeks. Before each use, give the jar a good shake to recombine the ingredients.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic pressed or smashed for the best flavor, but adjust quantity to taste.
- The honey and sugar balance the acidity of vinegar and lemon juice, but these can be omitted or adjusted for dietary preferences.
- Fresh herbs brighten the dressing, and dried herbs add depth; use your favorites like parsley, basil, or thyme.
- Make sure salad leaves are dry before dressing to ensure the dressing clings well.
- This dressing is versatile and can also flavor roasted or steamed vegetables.
Keywords: salad dressing, vinaigrette, homemade dressing, olive oil dressing, easy salad dressing, healthy dressing, quick dressing, garden salad dressing
