This Lemon Dijon Dressing is made with simple ingredients and has the best flavor -the perfect balance of sweet and tangy! Pour it on top of your favorite salad, grain bowl, or roasted veggies. Or use it as a delicious marinade for chicken or salmon.
As a dietitian, my favorite way to amp up the vibrant flavor of vegetables is with a homemade salad dressing! One of the benefits of making your own dressings is that while store-bought dressings often have added preservatives and ingredients, you know exactly what's in your dressing when you make it at home.
This Lemon Vinaigrette recipe is so easy to make - just add everything to a mason jar and give it a good shake. It's perfect on a Kale & White Bean Salad. I hope this becomes one of your favorite salad dressings! 😊
If you're looking for more homemade salad dressings, try my fan-favorite Maple Balsamic Vinegar Dressing or Creamy Sesame Ginger Dressing next!
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Key Ingredients and Substitutions
This Lemon Dijon Dressing is made with a handful of simple ingredients. Below is the ingredient list, but be sure to check the recipe card for ingredient amounts!
- Fresh Lemons - fresh lemon juice adds a vibrant lemon flavor and some vitamin C for your immune health.
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil - extra-virgin olive oil balances out the flavor of the lemon juice. It also contains heart-healthy fats that are also good for brain health and hormone health. I suggest using a good quality olive oil for this recipe.
- 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 some tang and spice to this dressing and it pairs so well with the lemon & maple syrup. Mustard contains mucilage which is a natural emulsifier to help the lemon juice and olive oil emulsify.
- Maple syrup - a bit of real maple syrup adds a hint of sweetness and balances out the other salty and savory flavors in this lemon salad dressing. Feel free to use honey instead if you prefer.
- Garlic - amp up the flavor with freshly minced or grated garlic. If you prefer a more mild flavor, use shallots instead.
- Salt & Black Pepper - to tie everything together.
- Optional: Apple Cider Vinegar - I like to add some apple cider vinegar to enhance the acidity of this dressing.
- Optional: fresh herbs - feel free to add fresh or dried herbs like fresh thyme or parsley or dried oregano for more flavor.
How to Make Lemon Dijon Dressing
Below are the instructions for how to make this easy dressing with some visuals that I hope are helpful! Don't forget to check out the recipe card at the bottom for the full recipe.
- Step 1: Whisk together the lemon juice, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, minced or grated garlic, and salt + pepper in a mason jar or small bowl.
- Step 2: Drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil and whisk until it's emulsified.
Alternative Method #1:
Shake it up - skip the whisk and make this Lemon Dijon Dressing in a mason jar by adding all of the ingredients, securing the lid, and shaking it until everything is well combined.
Alternative Method #2:
Blend it Up - use a food processor or blender instead. Simply add the ingredients until blended (30-60 seconds or until smooth).
Hint: if you're using a whisk to make this dressing, the best way to get the oil and lemon juice to emulsify is to drizzle in the olive oil slowly at the end while vigorously whisking it together.
Dietitian Tip
Making homemade salad dressing recipes like this Dijon Lemon Dressing Dressing 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
The best part about this Lemon Dijon Dressing is you can customize to your taste! Below are some ideas, but feel free to get creative.
- Spicy - add crushed red pepper flakes to add a bit of kick to this flavorful dressing!
- Sweeter - if you prefer a sweet dressing, add a bit extra maple syrup.
- Creamy - make it creamy by adding a tablespoon of tahini.
Ideas for Serving Lemon Dijon Dressing
Now that you have a batch of this versatile dressing, enjoy it on a variety of different dishes! Here are some ideas:
- On Your Favorite Salads - add this dressing to up-level a simple salad. One of my favorite ways to use this dressing is to make a Kale Salad with White Beans. This dressing also pairs beautifully with spring mix or arugula salad which both pair nicely with the bright lemon flavor of the dressing.
- Mediterranean Veggie Plate - add this easy dressing on top of thinly sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, and bell peppers with kalamata olives, red onion and feta cheese for an easy Mediterranean inspired side dish.
- Grain Bowl or Grain Salads- make a grain bowl with brown rice, bulgar, farro, or quinoa. Add leafy greens, hummus, blistered tomatoes and chicken salad, shrimp, or tofu for protein. Then top it with this lemon dijon dressing and fresh herbs.
- With Roasted Vegetables - this lemon mustard vinaigrette is a delicious way to brighten up boring vegetables. Just drizzle a couple Tablespoons on top of warm roasted veggies like these Roasted Cauliflower and Carrots. Green beans, brussels sprouts or broccoli are great options too.
- Fruit Salad - the flavors of this dressing pair great with fresh fruit like berries or citrus fruit.
- As a Marinade - use this easy salad dressing as a marinade. It works well with chicken, salmon or white fish like halibut or cod.
- Pasta Salad - make a simple pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese, and shredded chicken. Add this homemade lemon dijon vinaigrette on top!
Storage for Lemon Dijon 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
- 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 syrup. 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 Lemon Dijon 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.
Yes, this is a gluten-free salad dressing recipe.
Yes, this is a vegan salad dressing recipe.
Related
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Perfect for Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Lemon Dijon Dressing:
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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 Lemon Dijon Dressing (Quick & Easy Recipe)
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (juice of 2 small or 1 large lemon)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (or honey - note: honey is not vegan)
- 1 clove garlic, minced or grated
- ¼ teaspoon salt more to taste
- dash black pepper
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar optional
Instructions
- Whisk together the lemon juice, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, minced or grated garlic, and salt + pepper in a mason jar or small bowl.
- Drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil and whisk until it's emulsified.
- Alternative Method #1: Shake it up - skip the whisk and make this Lemon Dijon Dressing in a mason jar by adding all of the ingredients, securing the lid, and shaking it until everything is well combined.
- Alternative Method #2: Blend it Up - use a food processor or blender instead. Simply add the ingredients until blended (30-60 seconds or until smooth).
- Hint: if you're using a whisk to make this dressing, the best way to get the oil and lemon juice to emulsify is to drizzle in the olive oil slowly at the end while vigorously whisking it together.
Notes
- 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 syrup. 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.
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