This Lemon Garlic Salad Dressing is a breeze to make, and it can be used in many ways other than as a salad dressing. Make it using my super easy recipe (vegan, gluten-free).
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About Lemon Garlic Salad Dressing
Lemon Garlic Salad Dressing is a lemony and garlicky dressing that is very versatile and easy to make.
It comes together in under 5 minutes using a few simple ingredients and can be used in many ways apart from just a salad dressing.
The strong zing of garlic, tang of lemon, and umami from the mustard combine beautifully in this simple dressing recipe.
Lemon Garlic Dressing is vegan and gluten-free; the recipe can be easily doubled or tripled.
Here are some more homemade salad dressing recipes
- Sumac Vinaigrette
- Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Lemon Basil Vinaigrette
- Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Blue Cheese Salad Dressing
- Sesame Ginger Dressing
- Hibachi Salad Dressing
- Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing
- Lemon Pepper Dressing
- Mango Salad Dressing
Ingredients
Lemons – This recipe uses freshly squeezed lemon juice and lemon zest.
Zest the lemons using a zester and then juice them for maximum juice.
You can replace lemon juice with lime juice too. Just keep in consideration that limes are tangier than lemons.
Garlic – It 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 even 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 has a little xanthan gum added to it. This ingredient stabilizes the dressing and keeps the ingredients from separating. It is an organic and harmless ingredient and you can add it to your homemade dressing too. Use ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum for the below-mentioned recipe and shake well to combine.
How To Make Lemon Garlic Dressing
Add
- 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
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 lemon dressing is ready. Use as desired!
Pro Tips By Neha
The oil tends to separate from the dressing when kept for some time. So make sure to shake it up nicely again before using it.
Instead of using fresh garlic, you can use roasted garlic too. The flavors will be more complex and delicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wash the lemon and wipe it well using paper tissues. 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 a a very versatile dressing and can be used in many ways.
Use the 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.
Storage Suggestions
Since this dressing has raw garlic, storing it for a long time is not suggested.
You can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
I would recommend making this dressing fresh and using it within a day.
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Recipe Card
Lemon Garlic Salad Dressing Recipe
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
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!
Hailey
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?
Neha Mathur
Thnx. It’s not water. It’s extra virgin olive oil.
Diana
My husband and I LOVE this dressing. It is so delicious and light—and I especially love the simplicity of it.
Neha Mathur
Happy to hear Diana 🙂
philip
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.
Neha Mathur
Good to hear 🙂
Anne-Marie
Best dressing ever! I did add some mint!
Wendi
The mustard sauce, did you make your own? I’m assuming it’s not just mustard?
Neha Mathur
Hi Wendi, it’s yellow mustard.
Jo Anne
really yummy. I like this better on a Greek salad than Greek dressing.