This Fresh Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette is a Weight Watchers friendly dressing you can throw together with stuff you probably already have on hand.
All you need is extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice and zest, garlic, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper.
The lemon brings a bright, tart bite, and the honey rounds it out so it’s not too sharp.
Dijon mustard helps everything blend together so the dressing doesn’t separate, and the garlic adds a savory note without taking over.
Drizzle it over a green salad, toss it with a grain bowl or pasta salad, spoon it over roasted veggies, or use it to dress up some cooked chicken.
It’s also great for meal prep since it keeps well in the fridge. Just give it a good shake before you use it again.
Why You’ll Love This Fresh Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette
Ready in 10 Minutes
This vinaigrette takes about 10 minutes from start to finish, making it a quick recipes option for salads and meal prep.
Fresh Lemon Taste
Fresh lemon juice and zest give the dressing a tart citrus taste without artificial lemon flavor.
Common Ingredients
The recipe uses olive oil, mustard, honey, garlic, and seasonings that are common in many kitchens.
Several Ways to Use It
Serve it with leafy salads, grain bowls, pasta salad, roasted vegetables, chicken, or fish.
Homemade Dressing
Making your own vinaigrette lets you adjust the salt, sweetness, and garlic to suit your meal.
Ingredient Substitutions
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Replace extra virgin olive oil with regular olive oil or avocado oil. The flavor may be milder.
Fresh Lemon Juice
Bottled lemon juice can be used when fresh lemons are unavailable. Fresh juice will have a cleaner citrus taste.
Dijon Mustard
Use yellow mustard or whole-grain mustard in the same amount. Yellow mustard will change the color and give the dressing a milder taste.
Honey
Replace the honey with maple syrup or agave syrup. Start with the same amount and adjust to taste.
Fresh Garlic
Replace the garlic clove with ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder. Let the dressing rest for several minutes so the garlic powder can absorb moisture.
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Fresh Lemon Garlic Vinaigrette
Recipes are written with one action per step for accessibility. Short lines. Fewer rereads. A calmer kitchen on mobile or desktop.
Equipment
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper to a small mixing bowl.
- Using a wire whisk, mix until combined.
- Slowly pour in the olive oil while whisking continuously.
- Continue whisking until the vinaigrette is blended and slightly thickened.
- Transfer the vinaigrette to a glass jar.
- Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Shake the jar well before serving.
Notes
Tips and Tricks
Use a Fine Grater for the Zest – Grate only the yellow outer layer of the lemon. The white layer underneath can taste bitter. Use Room-Temperature Ingredients – Olive oil and lemon juice blend more evenly when they are close to the same temperature. Adjust the Acidity – Add a small amount of honey if the dressing tastes too tart. Add more lemon juice if it tastes too mild. Let the Garlic Rest – Refrigerate the vinaigrette for 15 to 30 minutes to help the garlic blend with the other ingredients. Taste Before Adding More Salt – The dressing may taste saltier after it rests, so make small adjustments.Storing
Refrigerate – Store the vinaigrette in a sealed glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Shake Before Serving – The olive oil and lemon juice will separate during storage. Shake the sealed jar until the dressing blends again. Let the Oil Warm Slightly – Olive oil may thicken in the refrigerator. Leave the jar at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before shaking and serving.Nutrition
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