Fresh Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe Easy Homemade in 5 Minutes
A quick and easy fresh lemon vinaigrette dressing made with simple pantry staples, perfect for salads and ready in just 5 minutes.
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: About 1/2 cup dressing (approximately 8 servings of 2 tablespoons each) 1x
- Category: Condiment
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from about 1 large lemon)
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey (or maple syrup/agave for vegan option)
- 1 small clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Juice the lemon (about 3 tablespoons). Roll the lemon on the counter first to loosen the juices. Use a citrus juicer or reamer to squeeze out the juice, straining out seeds. This should take about 2 minutes.
- Combine the wet ingredients in your bowl: pour in the fresh lemon juice, 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and 1 teaspoon honey. Whisk gently to begin blending. This step takes roughly 1 minute.
- Add the minced garlic (1 small clove) and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Whisk again to distribute evenly. The garlic should be finely minced to avoid overpowering bites; this process takes about 30 seconds.
- Season with freshly ground black pepper to taste—start with about 1/8 teaspoon and adjust after tasting. Whisk thoroughly to emulsify the dressing until it looks glossy and slightly thickened, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Taste and adjust. If it’s too tart, add a tiny pinch of honey or a splash more olive oil. If too oily, a squeeze more lemon juice helps. This is the moment to trust your palate; total time here is about 1 minute.
- Note: The dressing will naturally separate if left to sit, so give it a quick whisk or shake before serving.
Notes
Use room temperature ingredients for better emulsification. Fresh Dijon mustard is best for smooth texture. The dressing will separate if left to sit; whisk or shake before serving. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Adjust honey and lemon juice to taste for balance.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 60
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 1.3
- Carbohydrates: 1.5
Keywords: lemon vinaigrette, salad dressing, homemade dressing, lemon dressing, easy vinaigrette, healthy dressing, quick dressing, olive oil dressing