This Honey Lemon Dressing is basically what I would call my "house" salad dressing because it's my go-to for green salads! It comes together quickly with just a few ingredients and is the perfect balance of tangy and sweet. I hope you enjoy it. 😊

As a dietitian, I always make homemade dressings when I have a few extra minutes! To me, they taste better than store-bought dressings and are usually made with staple ingredients I already have in my pantry fridge so I end up saving some money, too. With that said, I have my made my fair share of homemade salad dressings! This lemon honey dressing is my favorite for a simple green salad.
Add this honey lemon salad dressing to your favorite salads on holiday tables, grain bowls, or even fruit salad. It's perfect for pairing with summer salads & Margherita Flatbread on pizza night or an easy side dish with Unstuffed Peppers Skillet Dinner.
More Healthy Salad Dressings
- Simple Lemon Dijon Maple Dressing
- Maple Balsamic Dressing
- Creamy Maple Tahini Dressing
- Ginger Lime Salad Dressing
- Healthy Sesame Ginger Dressing
- Creamy Southwest Salad Dressing
Jump to:
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
Below are the simple ingredients to make this honey lemon vinaigrette dressing. The recipe card at the bottom of this post has the measurements!
- Fresh Lemon Juice - fresh lemons are key here for a bright lemon flavor! Bottled lemon juice doesn't taste as fresh. To easily squeeze a lemon without getting seeds in it, use a citrus juice press! It's a game changer.
- Honey - a touch of honey adds a little sweetness and is balanced out by the olive oil and lemon.
- Dijon Mustard - Dijon mustard is made from black mustard seeds which makes it slightly more spicy than your typical yellow mustard. A little bit of dijon is my favorite way to add so much flavor - a little tang and spice to this dressing and it pairs so well with the lemon & honey. Mustard contains mucilage which is a natural emulsifier to help the lemon juice and olive oil emulsify.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil - extra-virgin olive oil balances out the flavor of the lemon juice. I like to use extra-virgin olive oil, but avocado oil works if you want a more mild flavor. Both oils provide heart-healthy fatty acids!
- Garlic Clove - grated or minced to add flavor. If you prefer to substitute with garlic powder, a quarter teaspoon will do the trick.
- Dried Oregano - fresh herbs are great for dressings, but I prefer dried oregano because it is more concentrated.
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper - to tie everything together!
- Apple Cider Vinegar - this is optional, but I like to add some apple cider vinegar to enhance the acidity of this dressing. White wine vinegar works too.
How to Make Honey Lemon Dressing
Below are some photos showing how to make this recipe that I hope are helpful! Check the printable recipe for more information.
- Step 1: Combine everything except the olive oil to a small bowl. Whisk it very well.
- Step 2: Slowly drizzle in the olive oil and whisk it again until everything is evenly combined.
Hint: there are 2 other options for how to make this dressing! 1. Add everything to a mason jar and give it a really good shake. 2. Blend everything in a food processor, adding the olive oil last. This will help it to emulsify better and give it a smoother texture.
Dietitian Tip
Making your own salad dressings like this Honey Lemon Vinaigrette recipe can feel intimidating! But it's as easy as mixing a few ingredients. Not only does making dressing at home taste amazingly fresh, it also gives you more control over the ingredients and the flavor, and there's no need for additives often found in store-bought dressings.
Variations
Giving the visitor ideas on how they can change this recipe to better suit their dinner guests, or their cultural cuisine, is a great way to increase the chances they make the recipe
- Spicy - add red pepper flakes if you like your dressings spicy.
- Sweeter - if you prefer a sweet dressing, add a bit extra honey.
- Creamy - make it creamy by blending it and adding a bit more olive oil!
Storage for Honey Lemon Dressing
- Refrigerator - Store leftover dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.
- It's normal for the oil and vinegar to separate and even solidify a bit in the fridge. Simply take it out and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes and then shake to combine before using it.
Expert Tips
- I highly suggest using fresh lemon juice for this recipe. Bottled lemon juice doesn't taste as fresh.
- Finely mince your garlic using a garlic press. I don't suggest using a jar of pre-minced garlic for this recipe even though you can if it's the only option!
- The ingredient flavors in this dressing recipe can vary a bit based on brand and variety so taste your dressing once it's mixed and adjust it if needed! If you like your dressings on the sweeter side, add a bit more honey. If you prefer it on the tangier side, add a bit more lemon. If you prefer it more robust, bump up the extra virgin olive oil a bit.
FAQ
While healthy means something different to everyone, this honey lemon dressing is a nutrient-rich option. It contains heart-healthy extra-virgin olive oil that has also been shown to support brain health and hormone health. And lemon juice contains vitamin C and antioxidants that can reduce oxidative stress and improve overall health.
Absolutely! The taste will be slightly different but it still tastes great! If using garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon is all you need.
I do suggest using extra-virgin olive oil for this recipe. It is olive oil in it’s purest form (least processed) so it retains all the antioxidants and nutrients from the olive itself.
Related
Looking for other dietitian recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Honey Lemon Dressing:
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! I would love to hear from you! If you made this recipe, please leave me a review below or tag me in a photo or story on Instagram. Your reviews help support me and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you know and love. 🙂 IG: @mallorythedietitian
📖 Recipe
Simple Honey Lemon Salad Dressing Recipe (with Dijon)
Equipment
- 1 whisk
Ingredients
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, grated or minced
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt (more to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Combine everything except the olive oil to a small bowl. Whisk it very well.
- Slowly drizzle in the olive oil and whisk it again until everything is evenly combined.
- Hint: there are 2 other options for how to make this dressing! 1. Add everything to a mason jar and give it a really good shake. 2. Blend everything in a food processor, adding the olive oil last. This will help it to emulsify better and give it a smoother texture.
Notes
- I highly suggest using fresh lemon juice for this recipe. Bottled lemon juice doesn't taste as fresh.
- Finely grate or mince your garlic using a garlic press. I don't suggest using a jar of pre-minced garlic for this recipe even though you can if it's the only option!
- The ingredient flavors in this dressing recipe can vary a bit based on brand and variety so taste your dressing once it's mixed and adjust it if needed! If you like your dressings on the sweeter side, add a bit more honey. If you prefer it on the tangier side, add a bit more lemon. If you prefer it more robust, bump up the extra virgin olive oil a bit.
- Refrigerator - Store leftover dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.
- It's normal for the oil and vinegar to separate and even solidify a bit in the fridge. Simply take it out and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes and then shake to combine before using it.
Comments
No Comments