Simple Homemade Salad Dressing Recipe
A simple, versatile homemade salad dressing combining tangy vinegar or lemon juice, smooth Dijon mustard, honey, and a mix of fresh and dried herbs. Perfect for dressing leafy salads or vegetables, this dressing is quick to prepare, fresh-tasting, and easy to customize with your favorite herbs and spices.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: Enough dressing for 4 servings of salad
- Category: Condiment
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 tbsp any vinegar or lemon juice (cider vinegar recommended)
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil or other neutral oil
- 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard (or other smooth non-spicy mustard)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 – 1 small garlic clove, pressed or smashed
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1/4 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp honey
- Finely chopped fresh herbs (to taste)
- 1/2 tsp dried herbs (optional)
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Place the vinegar or lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, garlic, lemon zest, sugar, honey, fresh herbs, dried herbs, and red pepper flakes into a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- Mix Well: Shake the jar vigorously until the mustard is fully dissolved and the dressing emulsifies into a smooth consistency.
- Portion for Use: This amount makes enough dressing for a large leafy salad serving about 4 people or a garden salad with approximately 4 big handfuls of lettuce.
- Storage Guidance: Excluding garlic and fresh herbs, the dressing will keep for weeks refrigerated. Remember to shake well before each use to re-emulsify the ingredients.
- Serving Suggestions: Use this dressing on any fresh salad, ensuring the leaves are dry so it adheres well. It’s also delicious drizzled over steamed, boiled, or roasted vegetables—apply while the veggies are still hot to maximize absorption. Toss gently before serving.
Notes
- Use any vinegar you prefer; cider vinegar provides a nice tang but lemon juice is a bright alternative.
- Adjust garlic amount according to your taste; pressing or crushing it releases more flavor.
- The sugar and honey balance acidity and add a subtle sweetness.
- Fresh herbs add brightness and freshness; dried herbs can be used if fresh are unavailable.
- Keep the dressing stored without garlic and fresh herbs for longer shelf life in the fridge.
- Dry salad greens before dressing to ensure it clings nicely instead of sliding off.
Keywords: salad dressing, homemade salad dressing, vinaigrette, easy salad dressing, healthy dressing, olive oil dressing
