Imagine a dressing so bright, tangy, and effortlessly elegant that it turns even the most ordinary salad into a culinary masterpiece. Our Homemade Lemon Vinaigrette is not just a dressing – it's a game-changer that will revolutionize your kitchen and impress everyone at your dining table. With just five minutes of preparation and a handful of simple ingredients, you'll create a French-inspired dressing that's bursting with fresh, vibrant flavors that will make your taste buds dance!
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 5 mins
Cuisine: French
Serves: 1 cup
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice, 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon of honey, and salt and pepper to taste.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, pour in the 1/4 cup of lemon juice. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is recommended for the best flavor.
- Add the 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the bowl. This will provide a nice tangy flavor and help emulsify the dressing.
- Next, add the 1 teaspoon of honey. This will balance the acidity of the lemon juice and add a touch of sweetness to the vinaigrette.
- Using a whisk, vigorously mix the lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and honey together until well combined.
- Slowly drizzle in the 1/2 cup of olive oil while continuing to whisk. This gradual addition will help emulsify the dressing, creating a smooth and creamy texture.
- Once all the olive oil is incorporated, taste the vinaigrette. Season with salt and pepper to your liking, stirring to combine.
- If desired, you can adjust the flavors by adding more honey for sweetness or more lemon juice for acidity, whisking well after each addition.
- Transfer the vinaigrette to a clean jar or container with a tight-fitting lid for storage. This dressing can be refrigerated for up to a week.
- Before serving, give the vinaigrette a good shake or stir, as the ingredients may separate during storage.
Tips
- Always use fresh lemon juice for the most vibrant and authentic flavor. Bottled lemon juice simply can't compare.
- Whisk vigorously and slowly add olive oil to create a smooth, well-emulsified dressing that won't separate quickly.
- Experiment with the honey-to-lemon ratio to find your perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.
- For extra flavor complexity, try adding a minced garlic clove or some fresh herbs like thyme or basil.
- Store your vinaigrette in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake well before each use to re-emulsify the ingredients.
- If the dressing is too tangy, add a bit more honey; if it's too sweet, add a splash more lemon juice.
- This versatile dressing works wonderfully not just on salads, but also as a marinade for grilled vegetables or chicken.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 125kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
