Bright lemon juice and fruity olive oil pairs perfectly with fresh garlic and Dijon mustard to make this simple, homemade salad dressing.
A green salad dressed with a simple homemade vinaigrette has been on our dinner table my entire life. Why buy bottled dressing when you can combine basic kitchen staples to create a flavorful vinaigrette in minutes? Not only will you save money, but you can control the ingredients. This Lemon Garlic Dijon Vinaigrette is made with just a handful of common pantry items. If you’re used to bottled dressing, you will be blown away at how flavorful a salad becomes when tossed with fresh, vibrant flavors.
Ingredients
- Dijon mustard: Tangy, sharp, and strong flavor that shines through the dressing.
- Garlic: Nutty, earthy, and a little spicy in flavor.
- Lemon juice: Fresh, bright, acidic flavor that balances out the dressing.
- Olive oil: Fruity, earthy, and the classic dressing for salad.
How to Make Lemon Garlic Dijon Vinaigrette
Start your Lemon Garlic Dijon Vinaigrette by putting the Dijon mustard into a small bowl. Then use a microplane or cheese grater to add fresh garlic to the bowl.
Next, freshly squeeze the lemon juice into the bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Start whisking together the dressing.
Slowly add the olive oil and keep whisking until dressing is emulsified.
Pour your Lemon Garlic Dijon Vinaigrette into a small pitcher or dressing boat, drizzle over your favorite salad, and enjoy!
Change It Up
Want a little sweetness? Add honey. Not a fan of garlic? Skip it. Have fresh thyme around? Throw it in. Get creative and make it your own!
Frequently Asked Questions:
How long does this dressing keep?
This vinaigrette can be made ahead and stored in in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Salad Recipes
- Chicken Tawook Fattoush Salad
- Middle Eastern Syrian Salad
- Wedge Salad with Bacon
- Strawberry Arugula Salad
- Traditional Greek Salad
If you want to enjoy salads but struggle, this Lemon Garlic Dijon Vinaigrette will convert you. The whole family will have no trouble inhaling large bowls of salad.
Your fork is waiting.
Lemon Garlic Dijon Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard (whole grain or traditional)
- 1 clove garlic (grated)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together Dijon, grated garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Pour in lemon juice and continue whisking to combine. Gradually add olive oil and whisk until emulsified.
- To check for seasoning, dip a piece of lettuce in the dressing and add salt or pepper if needed.
- When you’re ready to serve, drizzle over salad and toss lightly until greens are evenly coated.
Love this recipe! Pretty photo, too. Bottled dressing is so yuck. I’ve gotten so used to mostly everything I eat being so fresh that I just couldn’t imagine drizzling that unhealthy mess on anything. ;)
Looks delicious, Liz :) I always make my own dressing as well. Store-bought schmore-bought =P
Sounds delicious! Can’t wait to make a big ol’ batch of this!
Thank you so much! Let me know what you think!
Liz,
I love homemade dressings! I usually save a screw top jelly jar out of the recycling so I can just shake everything up inside.
Thanks!
I did the exact same thing! Too funny!
We always had a simple green salad at every dinner when I was growing up. My brothers and I would save it for last because we always loved these simple salads with homemade dressing and wanted to savor it. I know, weird, right? Kids that love salad. I think if you take the time to make a quality dressing it makes a world of difference. Garlic and dijon, yum! I want a kick of horseradish in here too!
Liz,
Growing up in France, we always finished our meal with a green salad and whipping up the dressing was my job. A little mustard, a little lemon, salt, pepper, oil… voila! Love your beautiful picture. It made me crave salad – and that’s a tough thing to make me do. Gorgeous!
am with you darlin’ life is too short not make your own dressing. Can’t wait to try this one, it sounds nummy :D
I love making homemade salad dressing. Yours looks delish!
I bet yours are incredible!!!
Looks delicious Liz! I’m always getting stuck in a salad rut and this looks like just the homemade dressing to get me out of it! :D
Homemade dressings are the best. Once you make them you realize how much more flavor they have. Not to mention they are so much healthier since you can control what goes in. This dressing looks wonderful!
I know!! I always take for granted the fact that I grew up eating homemade dressing. So so good!
I absolutely need this dressing in my life – holy jeez!
Yes you do sista!!
Did someone say Garlic? I’m all over it! Pinning!
I sure did!! Garlic and I are bff’s!
This dressing looks so so so so so flavorful.
It totally is!
I’m always on the look out for new salad dressings, thanks for posting this!
My pleasure – enjoy!!
This dressing sounds dreamy, Liz! We never-ever-ever buy bottled anymore, and I’m sure to try this recipe soon! xx
It is so dreamy!! I hope you like it!!
I love me some Dijon! This vinaigrette is right up my alley. Can’t wait to whip this up!
So do I!! One of my favorite ingredients!
Couldn’t agree more Liz – I haven’t bought bottled salad dressing in a really long time. Love the flavors in this one :)
Thank you my dear!
Putting this on my salad today! Looks so good!
Thank you so much!!
Mmmmm, this dressing looks delish! I love that it’s mostly dijon and lemon juice and not very little oil. I’m definitely trying this sometime this week.
Yes you really don’t need a ton of oil with this one!
I always find that homemade dressings taste sooooo much better than the prepared ones you find at the store. I also like knowing what’s in it instead of ingredients I can’t pronounce.