This classic super simple lemon vinaigrette is not only easy and delicious on fresh greens and other salads but also works wonderfully as a marinade for chicken, pork, or seafood.
A fantastic Super Simple Lemon Vinaigrette recipe: A Beginner’s Guide to Homemade Salad Dressings
Homemade salad dressings (looking for a lime dressing, try this Cilantro Lime dressing) are one of the easiest ways to eat healthy while tailoring your salad recipes to your own palette. One of the best recipes I’ve come across in a while is this Ina Garten Lemon Vinaigrette recipe. This recipe will not only make your salads tastier but will also introduce you to the world of homemade salad dressings, a healthier and yummier alternative to store-bought dressings. Showcasing the beauty of simplicity, this vinaigrette contains only four basic ingredients: salt, pepper, and lemon juice emulsified with extra virgin olive oil. Today, I take you through simple steps on how to come up with this lemony delight, with a couple of other optional ingredients for the willing who seek to experiment further.
Simple Ingredients: The Four Pillars of Lemon Vinaigrette
*A great way for your dressing to emulsify properly is to start with room temperature ingredients.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: The star of our dressing. Fresh lemons offer bright flavors that are hard to duplicate.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Adds a smooth, rich base, perfectly balancing the zestiness of the lemon.
- Kosher Salt: A pinch to enhance all the flavors.
- Black Pepper: For that spicy kick, grounding the tanginess of the lemon.
Options
- Dijon Mustard: For a bit of tang and thickness. Grey Poupon is a
- Maple Syrup: A dash sweetens the dressing, rounding out the acidity.
- Lemon Zest: For added zing and depth.
- Fresh Herbs: Such as basil or thyme, finely chopped, for a herby note.
Simple Steps to Homemade Lemon Vinaigrette
- In a bowl or small jar (canning, Mason, Ball)
Whisk in the lemon juice with some kosher salt and a few grinds of black pepper. The seasoning should be in an acidity balance with the lemons—taste for seasoning.
- Add Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Slowly whisk in the extra virgin olive oil to the mixing bowl or glass measuring cup, or if you’re using a mason jar, pour in and screw on the lid. This will help emulsify the dressing so the oil combines well with all other flavors before serving.
- Give it a good shake or whisk to emulsify
Combine the ingredients in a Mason jar or another container with a tight-fitting lid, or in a small bowl with a whisk to make United dressing. The emulsion will look a bit thickened, representing a perfect embodiment of simplicity and flavor.
- Customize Your Dressing
Here, you would be adding any of the optional ingredients: Dijon, maple syrup, and lemon zest. Each will add a new layer of flavor, and that is how your homemade lemon vinaigrette will become truly yours.
- Storage Transfer the prepared homemade dressing to an airtight container or simply leave it in the mason jar with the lid screwed on tightly. Store in the refrigerator so your dressing stays fresh. The dressing should ideally be used within a week, as the flavors marry quite well by then.
Recipe Card Tips
- Serving Size: This recipe yields about 1/2 cup, so a couple of tablespoons is ideal for a simple green salad or all of it in a larger pasta salad.
- Nutritional Information: Per serving on a 2,000-calorie diet, this homemade dressing is a healthy choice for a low-calorie but tasty food topping.
- How to serve: Makes a perfect dressing over a simple green salad and is excellent as a marinade. It’s perfect for brightening up flavors in a pasta salad with its slightly tart flavors.
Why Homemade Dressings are simply the best
Making your very own dressings at home, and with something as basic as this easy Lemon Vinaigrette ingredient list, it would be a way to create them very freely according to taste or dietary needs. No preservatives, and everything is fresh.
Plus, the satisfaction of making a homemade lemon vinaigrette far surpasses that of opening a store-bought bottle.
Concluding Thoughts
The beauty of this Simple Lemon Vinaigrette is in the ease of preparation and the number of variations it could take on. From these core ingredients, this dressing can be freshened up with herbs or mixed with a little maple syrup or agave; it can be tailored for any kind of dish.
FAQs
What is the best olive oil for lemon vinaigrette? Extra virgin olive oil is preferred for its quality and flavor depth, making it the ideal choice for dressings. Look for an olive oil that comes from one location. Many olive oils come combined from different regions and aren’t always as good.
Can I use bottled lemon juice? Fresh lemon juice is recommended for its bright, natural flavors, but of course you can use a lemon juice concentrate. The bottled stuff can work.
How long can I store homemade lemon vinaigrette? Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it can last up to a week.
Can I add other ingredients to my lemon vinaigrette? Absolutely! Ingredients like Dijon mustard, maple syrup, or fresh herbs can add exciting flavors.
Is lemon vinaigrette healthy? Yes, it can be a healthier, less-fat alternative to creamy dressings when using simple, natural ingredients.
Adventuring into homemade salad dressings, such as this Super Simple Lemon Vinaigrette, really does open up a world of fresh, vibrant flavors and enables you to live life a little more healthily and sustainably. This guide has quite definitely allowed you to look deeply into how you can be more creative in the kitchen and has really nailed down a recipe that is as versatile as it is tasty. Here’s to many more homemade creations in your kitchen!
Simple Lemon Vinaigrette
Equipment
- glass measuring cup 1-2 cup works best (Pyrex and Anchor Hocking make great options if you don't have one already)
- whisk
- measuring spoons
- zester/Microplane
Ingredients
- zest of 1/2 lemon zest before you juice the lemon
- 1/4 cup lemon juice freshly squeezed is best and will make all the difference in the final product
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- In a glass measuring cup, whisk together lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper until completely blended
- Serve on salad greens or use as a marinade for chicken, pork or seafood.
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