Introduction

This Quick & Easy Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette brightens any salad with fresh, zesty flavors. Made with simple pantry ingredients, it’s perfect for busy cooks who want a healthy, homemade dressing in minutes.

A small clear glass jar with a metal clasp lid open and resting on its side contains a thick yellow dressing with a smooth, slightly textured surface filled nearly to the top. The jar sits on a light wood cutting board on a white marbled surface. Nearby on the cutting board is a large white bowl filled with fresh green spinach leaves and thin pale purple onion slices. To the right of the jar is a half slice of red onion with purple rings and white layers. In the blurred background, there are two whole yellow lemons and a lemon wedge on the wooden cutting board, along with a bulb of garlic. Small scattered light-colored seeds are spread around on the white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced
3 tsp liquid honey (or maple syrup)
1 tsp grainy Dijon mustard
1 tsp lemon zest (optional)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Add all ingredients—olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, honey, Dijon, lemon zest, salt, and pepper—into a resealable jar.
Step 2: Seal tightly and shake vigorously for 30–60 seconds until fully emulsified and slightly cloudy.
Step 3: Taste and adjust by adding more honey for sweetness, salt for flavor, or lemon juice for tartness.
Step 4: Use immediately or refrigerate up to 1 week. Shake before each use.

Tips & Variations

For a milder garlic flavor, roast the garlic clove before mincing and adding it to the dressing.
Swap lemon juice for lime juice for a different citrus twist.
Use maple syrup instead of honey to make the vinaigrette vegan-friendly.
If you prefer a thicker dressing, add 1 tsp of mayonnaise or Greek yogurt and shake well.

Storage

Store the vinaigrette in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to one week. The oil may solidify when chilled—simply bring it to room temperature and shake well before using. Always shake before serving as the ingredients tend to separate.

How to Serve

A clear glass jar with a metal clasp lid sits open on a round wooden board. Inside the jar is a smooth, bright yellow sauce with tiny black specks evenly mixed through it. The jar is placed on a white marbled surface, with a white bowl filled with yellow lemons blurred in the background to the left and another white bowl filled with fresh green spinach leaves blurred to the right. A cut lemon half and a white cloth with green stripes lie on the surface next to the wooden board. The scene is bright and clean with soft natural lighting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this vinaigrette ahead of time?

Yes, it stores well in the refrigerator for up to one week. Shake well before each use as the ingredients separate over time.

Is it necessary to use fresh lemon juice?

Fresh lemon juice is best for the brightest flavor, but bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch, keeping in mind it may alter the taste slightly.

Quick & Easy Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 104 reviews

This Quick & Easy Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette is a bright and zesty dressing perfect for salads, marinades, or drizzling over veggies. Made with fresh lemon juice, garlic, honey, and Dijon mustard, it combines tangy, sweet, and savory flavors for an effortless homemade dressing that whips up in under five minutes.

Author: Daniel
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: About 3/4 cup (6 servings, approximately 2 tablespoons each) 1x
Category: Salad Dressing
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

Vinaigrette Ingredients

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced
3 tsp liquid honey (or maple syrup)
1 tsp grainy Dijon mustard
1 tsp lemon zest (optional)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

Combine Ingredients: Add olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, honey, Dijon mustard, lemon zest (if using), salt, and black pepper into a resealable jar for easy mixing.
Shake to Emulsify: Seal the jar tightly and shake vigorously for 30 to 60 seconds until the vinaigrette is fully emulsified and appears slightly cloudy, indicating the ingredients are well blended.
Taste and Adjust: Open the jar and taste the vinaigrette; adjust by adding more honey for sweetness, salt for enhanced flavor, or more lemon juice for extra tartness according to your preference.
Store or Use: Use the vinaigrette immediately or refrigerate in the sealed jar for up to 1 week. Remember to shake well before each use to recombine the ingredients.

Notes

For a vegan option, substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar.
Lemon zest is optional but adds a stronger lemon aroma and flavor.
Make sure to shake well before each use as the oil and lemon juice will naturally separate.
Store in the refrigerator for up to one week to maintain freshness.
This vinaigrette can double as a marinade for chicken or fish.

Keywords: lemon garlic vinaigrette, salad dressing, easy vinaigrette, homemade dressing, lemon dressing, garlic dressing, healthy salad dressing, quick vinaigrette