Quick & Easy Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe (2024)

This Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette Dressing has a light tangy slightly sweet burst of citrus flavor that makes it perfect for any salad! This homemade lemon vinaigrette is easy to make in just a few minutes and makes enough for 3 large salads. It is a great dressing to include in any weekly meal prep!

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Our lemon garlic vinaigrette only takes a few simple ingredients to make. The bright, tangy flavors in this lemon garlic salad dressing bring a touch of summer flair to any salad.

I love to use it on Beet and Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese or a Winter Salad with Blackberries and Pears.

When I made this recipe, I used Meyer lemons for no reason other than I love the slightly sweeter flavor they have compared to other lemons. They taste like a cross between a mandarin orange and a lemon giving them a sweeter and less acidic taste.

You are welcome to use regular lemons in this recipe, but if Meyer lemons are available in your area I highly recommend you pick some up! They are available all year but much easier to find in the winter months.

What Makes This Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette Great?

• Burst of Citrus Flavor: This Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette Dressing brings a light, tangy, and slightly sweet burst of citrus flavor to elevate any salad.
• Quick and Easy: With just a few simple ingredients, this easy lemon vinaigrette is a breeze to make, taking only a few minutes of your time.
• Great for Weekly Meal Prep. Make a jar of this lemon vinaigrette, and you’ll have enough for three large salads. It will also keep for up to 1 week, making it a convenient and delicious choice for your weekly meal prep routine.

Ingredients for Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette

• Olive Oil – Adds a smooth, rich base.
• Lemon Juice – You can use Meyer lemons or regular lemons. Always use fresh lemons for juicing.
• Garlic – Freshly minced garlic is best.
• Honey – Adds a hint of sweetness.
• Dijon Mustard – Boosts the tanginess of the dressing.
• Lemon Zest – Adds more citrus aroma and taste. Be sure to wash and dry the lemons before zesting.
• Salt – Enhances overall flavor.
• Black Pepper – Adds a bit of spice.

See the recipe card below for exact quantities.

Substitutions & Variations

• Regular lemons – Feel free to use regular lemons instead of Meyer lemons. You may want to add a teaspoon of honey to sweeten the vinaigrette.
• Maple syrup – Switch out the honey for maple syrup for a deeper flavor.
• Fresh herbs – Add chopped basil, thyme, or parsley for a fresh taste.
• Red pepper flakes – Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
• Citrus zest – Trade out the lemon zest for orange or lime zest for a different twist.

How to Make This recipe for lemon vinaigrette dressing

Follow these two simple instructions to make your lemon garlic vinaigrette.

Step one: Add the ingredients to a medium jar with a lid or other container that can be tightly sealed.

Step two: Shake well until the oil is emulsified and all ingredients are well combined.

Tips

• Juicing lemons. Use a lemon juicer or cover the cut side of the lemon with cheesecloth when juicing to keep the lemon pits out of the juice
• Adding honey. Add the lemon juice and olive oil before adding the honey so that the honey doesn’t go straight to the bottom of the jar and get stuck there.
• Using as a marinade. If using as a marinade, be sure to only marinate your proteins for under an hour so that the acidity from the lemons does not affect the texture of the meat or protein of choice.

Storage

Store any unused vinaigrette dressing in a tightly sealed container for up to 1 week in the refrigerator. Shake well each time before serving.

Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette FAQs

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