Lemon Herb Vinaigrette
In short: A bright, pourable dressing of lemon juice and zest, olive oil, garlic and soft herbs that wakes up green salads, grains and grilled fish. It takes about 10 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Total
- 10 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 130 kcal
Lemon vinaigrette is the dressing to make when you want something fresh and light rather than creamy. Lemon juice replaces most of the vinegar, the zest adds a floral lemon flavor, and a little honey softens the acid and helps the oil blend in. Stir in whatever soft herbs you have, such as parsley, chives or dill. It suits leafy salads, cooked grains, steamed green beans, boiled potatoes and fish.
Instructions
- Grate the zest from the lemon first, then squeeze the juice and pick out any seeds. You need 3 tablespoons of juice and 1 teaspoon of zest.
- Put the juice, zest, honey, garlic, salt and a few grinds of pepper in a jar. Stir until the honey and salt dissolve.
- Add the olive oil, close the lid and shake hard for 20 seconds, until the dressing looks cloudy and slightly thickened.
- Stir in the herbs. Taste with a lettuce leaf and add a pinch of salt, a little more oil, or a splash of water if it tastes too sharp.
- Dress the salad just before serving, because lemon juice wilts tender leaves quickly. Use about 1 tablespoon for every 2 big handfuls of leaves.
- Keep leftovers in the closed jar in the fridge for up to 4 days. Shake well before using, since the oil settles and firms up when cold.
Tips
- Match the herbs to the meal: dill for fish and potatoes, mint for peas and grains, basil for tomatoes, or chives alone for a mild green salad.
- Use maple syrup instead of honey for a vegan dressing, or leave the sweetener out if your lemons are very sweet, as Meyer lemons are.
Questions and answers
How long does lemon vinaigrette keep?
In a sealed jar in the fridge it keeps for up to 4 days. Fresh lemon juice and herbs fade faster than a vinegar dressing, so make small batches more often.
Can I use bottled lemon juice?
You can, but the flavor is flatter and slightly bitter. Fresh juice and zest give a much brighter dressing, and one large lemon is enough for a whole jar.
What can I serve lemon vinaigrette with besides salad?
Spoon it over steamed green beans, grilled fish or chicken, roasted potatoes, cooked quinoa or white beans. It also works as a quick sauce for sliced tomatoes.
How long does it take to make Lemon Herb Vinaigrette?
About 10 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Lemon Herb Vinaigrette?
About 130 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 2 g of carbohydrates and 14 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 130 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 2 g |
| Fat | 14 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 195 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
