Try my Lemon Dijon Dressing recipe - a French classic. This zesty dressing perfectly accompanies salads, roasted vegetables, or a chicken or fish marinade. With a tangy twist and a hint of sweetness, it's sure to elevate your dishes.
Let's take a look at this simple yet delightful recipe for a versatile dressing that will add a burst of flavor to your meals!
This recipe is: Low Carb, Keto, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Paleo, Vegetarian and Vegan
Table of Contents
8 Reasons to Love this Recipe
This lemon Dijon vinaigrette is my favorite salad dressing. Here are 8 reasons to love this recipe!
- Simple ingredients!
- Ready in a few minutes!
- Bright and fresh flavor!
- Low in carbs and keto-friendly!
- Stores well in the fridge!
- Makes salads taste great!
- Pairs well with so many ingredients!
- Works great as a marinade too!
Is Lemon Dijon Salad Dressing Low Carb?
Yes, this lemon salad dressing is completely low carb and keto-friendly with .1g net carbs per tablespoon. That's about as low a carb count as a salad dressing could have! Enjoy this lemon Dijon mustard dressing on salads or as a marinade without thinking twice.
Is Lemon Low Carb? Uncover the truth in my article, where you'll get all the details on the carbs in lemons and if they fit into a low carb lifestyle.
Ingredient List For Lemon Dijon Dressing
To make this homemade salad dressing, you will need the following ingredients:
- ¾ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon garlic, finely minced
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper, freshly cracked
Ingredient Substitutions
It is important to maintain balance in this recipe. Start with a small amount of substitute ingredients and adjust as necessary.
- Olive oil: Try substituting avocado oil or even MCT oil.
- Lemon juice: Bottled lemon juice is NOT recommended as a substitute due to its higher acidity levels. Fresh lemon juice makes this recipe flavorful.
- Garlic: For a more mellow flavor, use Roasted Garlic or garlic powder in a pinch. Substitute ⅛ teaspoon of garlic powder and adjust to your liking.
Ingredient Additions
This is a classic homemade dressing renowned for its simplicity. However, you can customize it to your taste preferences.
- Herbs: Fresh herbs like dill, chives, or parsley can add a vibrant flavor profile. Try a teaspoon of your favorite, finely chopped.
- Aromatics: Freshly grated lemon zest enhances the bright lemon flavor of the dressing. You can also add a bit of shallot in place of the garlic. If you're adventurous, try ⅛ teaspoon of anchovy paste for a fresh taste.
- Heat: I love adding heat to my recipes. Try a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a kick.
NOTE: These ingredients are not part of the original recipe; hence, the recipe card doesn't include the nutrition info - use these to enhance or customize the recipe to your liking.
Kitchen Tools
To make this Lemon Vinaigrette, you will need the following kitchen tools:
How to Make Lemon Dijon Dressing: Complete Cooking Guide
Cooking Method
No cook recipe
Preparation Steps
- Combine ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Emulsify with olive oil: Add in one tablespoon of olive oil and emulsify. You will see the mustard mixture thicken. Add in one more tablespoon and whisk until integrated. Continue twice more, adding one tablespoon at a time. When an emulsification has formed, pour the oil slowly while continuously whisking until the dressing is thick and delicious.
- Taste and adjust: Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
💡 My Pro Tip
Emulsification is important. This recipe does not take long to make, but I have seen over the years that many people just add all the ingredients at once to the bowl and then say that the dressing doesn't thicken. It will never thicken following this method. Adding one tablespoon at a time and whisking until completely incorporated will make a thick, delicious dressing that doesn't separate every time.
⏲️ Time-Saving Tips
- Prep lemon juice in bulk: I buy lemons by the dozen and juice them all at once. I freeze the juice in ice cube trays and keep them ready when I need them.
- Jar method: Instead of using a bowl, add the ingredients in the same process to a jar. Whisk to begin with, and when an emulsification has formed, continue by shaking the jar vigorously. This saves on cleanup up and the dressing is ready to be stored immediately!
- Forget the blender: Using a blender for this recipe is not necessary. It takes longer to get it set up and cleaned than by simply whisking by hand.
Make Your Salads Delicious
Wondering how to use this lemon dressing for salads? I have delicious options where you can use this flavored dressing!
- French Frisee Salad: Add some depth of flavor to this French frisee salad by drizzling some lemon dijon dressing. You'll love how it turns out!
- Keto Taco Salad: I always get back to this taco salad and enhance the aromatic flavor by adding this smooth dressing. Super delicious!
- Arugula Mushroom Salad:This salad creates delicious flavor variations when paired with my perfect dressing.
- Bacon Avocado Salad: I love the awesome flavors of this bacon avocado salad and lemon dijon dressing pairing. Such a good combination!
- Grilled Meat: Use this dressing as a delicious marinade for Grilled Lamb Chops, Roasted Chicken and Veggies, or Pulled Pork - a perfect marinade recipe!
Storage Instructions
It is important to store your lemon Dijon salad dressing properly. Since we are using fresh garlic, it will need to be refrigerated. Please follow the storage tips.
Storage Tips
Store the leftovers in an airtight container or glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. This Dijon dressing must be stored in the fridge, where it will stay fresh for up to a week. Shake or stir well, as separation will happen after several days. When using the dressing, pour it from the jar or use a clean spoon to serve.
Final Thoughts on Lemon Dijon Salad Dressing
This classic Lemon Dijon Dressing is ready within minutes with just a few staple pantry ingredients and a quick whisk. When I first learned how to make this dressing, it was as if a lightbulb illuminated over my head. I had eaten this in so many fancy French restaurants and loved the flavor… and when I learned just how easy it was, it became a regular addition to my house. Hopefully, it will be yours too.
Please write in the comments any questions or suggestions you may have. You can also find me on Facebook or Instagram.
Try these salad dressing recipes from my salad & dressing collection:
FAQs
This lemon Dijon mustard dressing is delicious and pairs well with mâche (sometimes called "lambs lettuce"), baby greens, or a bag of spring mix. Arugula and Romaine also work well. Avoid using it on iceberg or butter lettuce, as they tend to be easily overwhelmed by the dressing.
If your lemon vinaigrette tastes too lemony, balance the acidity by whisking in more olive oil. Another option is to add a small amount of honey (if you're not low carb) or a sugar substitute (like monk fruit sweetener), which can counteract the excess tartness without compromising the flavor.
Bitterness in lemon vinaigrette can come from bottled lemon juice, fruity olive oil, or including lemon pith in the dressing.
Emulsification is mixing two liquids that normally don't mix well, such as oil and vinegar (or lemon juice), into a smooth, unified mixture. This is achieved by slowly whisking one ingredient into the other until they combine thoroughly, creating a stable mixture that doesn't separate easily.
Lemon Dijon Dressing
Ingredients
- ¾ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon garlic finely minced
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper freshly cracked
Instructions
- Combine ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Emulsify with olive oil: Add in one tablespoon of olive oil and emulsify. You will see the mustard mixture thicken. Add in one more tablespoon and whisk until integrated. Continue twice more, adding one tablespoon at a time. When an emulsification has formed, pour the oil slowly while continuously whisking until the dressing is thick and delicious.
- Taste and adjust: Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Notes
Nutrition
“This website provides approximate nutrition data and information for convenience and as a courtesy only.”
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