Honey Lemon Vinaigrette

This Honey Lemon Vinaigrette is the perfect tangy salad dressing for just about occasion. It’ll become a staple after trying it!

Lemon Honey Vinaigrette

If you’re looking for a versatile and delicious dressing to drizzle over your salads, Honey Lemon Vinaigrette is a perfect choice. This dressing has a perfect balance of tanginess from the lemon and sweetness from the honey that makes it a recipe that you’ll love coming back to over and over again.

It’s also a great choice for marinades, glazes, or as a dipping sauce. This tangy dressing is a perfect way to add a zesty and fresh spin to your dishes.

Why You’ll Love Lemon Vinaigrette with Honey

It is a versatile dressing that pairs well with a variety of foods. It’s perfect for drizzling over salads, roasted veggies, grilled meats, and more. Its versatility makes it a must-have in your recipe box.
This dressing has a perfect balance of tanginess and sweetness, thanks to the combination of lemon and honey. It’s a great alternative to store-bought dressings.
Honey Lemon Vinaigrette is super easy to make with just a handful of ingredients. It doesn’t require any cooking, and you can whip it up in less than 5 minutes.

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Five white bowls of varying sizes each individually filled with lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper, dijon mustard, and honey.

What is a vinaigrette?

A vinaigrette is a type of dressing used in salads or as a marinade. It typically consists of a mixture of oil, vinegar, and other flavorings like herbs, spices, mustard, or sweeteners.

The most basic vinaigrette recipe involves combining three parts oil with one part acid and then adding flavorings according to taste. The oil and acid are often whisked together to form an emulsion, creating a stable mixture that coats salad greens or other ingredients evenly.

The great thing about vinaigrettes is that you can add and adjust your own flavor to make them completely your own. This Mango Dressing, Strawberry Vinaigrette, Lemon Herb Hummus Vinaigrette, or Spicy Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette are all great unique versions!

Homemade Salad Dressing Ingredients

Olive oil – Olive oil is a healthy fat that is commonly used in dressings. It has a light, fruity flavor that pairs well with acidic ingredients like lemon juice.
Lemon juice Lemon juice adds a bright, tangy flavor to the dressing. It’s acidic nature balances the sweetness of honey, giving the dressing a perfect balance of flavors.
Dijon mustard – Dijon mustard is a classic ingredient in vinaigrettes that helps to emulsify the dressing. It adds a subtle tanginess and a slightly spicy flavor to the dressing.
Honey Honey is a natural sweetener that adds sweetness to the dressing. It’s a healthier alternative to refined sugar and has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Salt Salt helps to balance the flavors in the dressing and brings out the natural flavors of the other ingredients.
Black pepper – Black pepper adds a subtle spiciness to the dressing. It also enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and adds depth to the dressing.

Ingredient Substitution

Olive oil can be substituted with avocado oil or grape seed oil for a different flavor profile.

Dijon mustard can be replaced with a brown mustard for a slightly different flavor.

Swap out the lemon juice for lime juice to pair it with salads like this Strawberry Cucumber Salad!

A mason jar filled with lemon juice and olive oil surrounded by three small white bowls.

How to make Honey Lemon Vinaigrette Recipe

Mix together ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper.

Adjust if needed: Taste and adjust the seasoning as desired, adding more lemon juice or honey for personal preference.

Storage: Store the vinaigrette in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Tips and Tricks

For a smoother consistency, use a blender or food processor.
Allow the vinaigrette to sit for a while to let the flavors meld together.
Experiment with different honey varieties for unique flavor profiles.

A mason jar with the lid on with shaken honey lemon vinaigrette.

Variations

Garlic Twist: Add a minced garlic clove for a hint of savory flavor.
Herb Infusion: Mix in chopped fresh herbs like basil or thyme for an aromatic touch.

Serving Suggestions

Drizzle over mixed greens for a refreshing salad.
Baste it onto grilled vegetables like these Grilled Veggie Skewers.
Use as a marinade for chicken or fish.
Toss with cooked pasta or grains for a flavorful side dish.

Storage

Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

An overhead shot of the honey lemon vinaigrette in a glass jar and a spoon.

FAQs

Can I make Honey Lemon Vinaigrette ahead of time?

Yes, it can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

What can I use this vinaigrette on?

You can use this healthy salad dressing on green salads like this Kale Salad with Cranberries, summer salads like this Tomato, Green Onion, and Orzo Salad, or any of your other favorite pasta salads like this Greek Pasta Salad.

How can I store this lemon honey dressing?

Take mason jars or an airtight container and place the salad dressing inside. You can add a little fresh lemon juice or lime juice to help keep everything zesty! Place it in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.

Tools Needed

Small bowl
Measuring spoons
Whisk
Airtight container for storage

RELATED RECIPES

Honey Lemon Vinaigrette

Yield: ½ cup dressing

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

This Honey Lemon Vinaigrette is the perfect tangy salad dressing for just about occasion. It’ll become a staple after trying it!

Ingredients

¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup lemon juice
2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper.
Taste the vinaigrette and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may want to add more lemon juice or honey if you prefer a tangier or sweeter dressing.
Store the vinaigrette in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Enjoy!

Notes

To use the vinaigrette, simply drizzle it over your choice of salad greens and toss to coat.
You can marinate chicken or fish in the vinaigrette before cooking, or use it as a dressing for pasta or grain salads.
Store it for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.