Lemon Garlic Salad Dressing Recipe

4.29 from 74 votes
Updated: Jul 22, 2025 |

This Lemon Garlic Salad Dressing is easy to make, and it can be used in many ways beyond just as a salad dressing. Make it using my super-easy recipe.

Here are some more homemade salad dressing recipes: Sumac Vinaigrette, Balsamic Vinaigrette, Lemon Basil Vinaigrette, and Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Lemon garlic salad dressing kept in a glass bottle.

We eat salads often for dinner. To make them interesting, I keep changing the dressings. This lemon garlic salad dressing is my current favorite. I use this dressing for salads and in many other ways. I mentioned them in the post below, so please read on.

About Lemon Garlic Salad Dressing

Lemon Garlic Dressing is a versatile and easy-to-make, lemony and garlicky dressing.

It comes together in under 5 minutes using a few simple ingredients and can be used in many ways beyond just as a salad dressing.

This simple dressing recipe combines the strong zing of garlic, the tang of lemon, and the umami of mustard in a beautiful way.

Since this dressing contains raw garlic, storing it for an extended period is not recommended. You can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

Ingredients

Lemon garlic salad dressing ingredients

Lemons – This recipe uses freshly squeezed lemon juice and lemon zest.

Zest the lemons using a zester, then juice them to extract maximum juice.

You can also replace lemon juice with lime juice. Just keep in mind that limes are tangier than lemons.

Garlic is the hero ingredient of this dish. If you love garlic, then this dressing is for you.

Oil – I made the dressing using extra virgin olive oil, but you can also use avocado oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, or canola oil.

Others – You will also need yellow mustard, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper.

You can add a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup for a sweet taste.

Yellow mustard can be replaced with Dijon mustard.

Adding some black poppy seeds will give it a nice crunch. Try it!

The store-bought dressing contains a small amount of xanthan gum. This ingredient stabilizes the dressing, preventing the ingredients from separating. It is organic and harmless. Use ยผ teaspoon xanthan gum for the recipe below and shake well to combine.

How To Make Lemon Garlic Dressing

Add the following ingredients to a glass jar (small mason jar) with a tight-fitting lid.

  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • ½ tsp lemon zest
  • 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ tsp yellow mustard
  • ¼ tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp dried basil
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
All the ingredients added to a glass jar.

Secure the lid of the jar tightly.

Shaking the jar vigorously.

Shake vigorously until the ingredients are blended well.

The lemon dressing is ready. Use as desired!

Ready lemon garlic salad dressing.

Pro Tips By Neha

When kept for some time, the oil separates from the dressing. So, make sure to shake it up nicely again before using it.

Instead of using fresh garlic, you can also use roasted garlic. The flavors will be more complex and delicious.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to zest a lemon?

Wash the lemon thoroughly and wipe it dry with a paper towel. Hold the lemon steady on a cutting board. Now grate the lemon peel using a microplane grater or a zesting tool, avoiding the white pith as it is bitter. Collect the zest and use it as desired.

Usage Suggestions

Lemon Garlic Dressing is a very versatile dressing and can be used in many ways.

Use this tasty dressing over your favorite salad. I like it over my chopped vegetable, kale, and quinoa salad.

You can also use it to marinate the chicken, pork, beef, or shrimp before grilling them.

Use this lemony dressing over toasted sourdough bread slices.

Use it in place of oil to make sunny-side-up eggs or drizzle it over sliced boiled eggs.

Drizzle the dressing over grain bowls, pizzas, or flatbreads.

Toss it with cooked pasta, noodles, or rice.

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This Lemon Garlic Salad Dressing is a breeze to make and it can be used in a multitude of ways other than as a salad dressing. Make it using my super easy recipe (vegan, gluten-free).
4.29 from 74 votes

Lemon Garlic Salad Dressing Recipe

This Lemon Garlic Salad Dressing is a breeze to make and it can be used in a multitude of ways other than as a salad dressing. Make it using my super easy recipe.
Prep: 2 minutes
Cook: 2 minutes
Total: 4 minutes
Servings: 4 people

Ingredients 

  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon lemon zest
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon yellow mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
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Instructions 

  • Add all the ingredients to a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
  • Secure the lid of the jar tightly.
  • Shake vigorously until the ingredients are blended well.
  • The dressing is ready. Use as desired!

Video

Notes

Since this dressing has raw garlic, storing it for a long time is not suggested. Try to finish it within a day.

Nutrition

Calories: 127kcal, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 294mg, Vitamin C: 3.5mg, Iron: 0.2mg
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4.29 from 74 votes (68 ratings without comment)

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15 Comments

  1. Hi! Is this regular dry yellow mustard (not stone ground) or refrigerated yellow mustard? Most recipes call for Dijon which I donโ€™t have.
    Sorry! I canโ€™t tell in the video ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

    1. Hi Lori, it’s the regular Mustard sauce that you get in a bottle. You can also use Dijon mustard in it’s place.

  2. 5 stars
    After years of making new (to me) salad dressings just for variety this is the best simple and healthy combo I’ve run into, this is the first one I can’t wait to make over and over.

  3. 5 stars
    My husband and I LOVE this dressing. It is so delicious and lightโ€”and I especially love the simplicity of it.

  4. 5 stars
    Hi, this recipe sounds delicious! I plan on making it very soon. It looks like a lot of liquid in that jar though, do I have to add water?