Honey Lemon Dressing
Zingy, sweet and full of lemon flavor, this honey lemon dressing is a versatile condiment for green salads, grain bowls, chicken, fish and beyond!
Erica’s Notes
Ah, the simplicity of an easy honey lemon dressing. The other day I was recipe testing my farro grain salad and when brainstorming a dressing that would pair well I circled back to one of my favorite combos- citrus + honey. You’ve got the kick of tang from the lemon and a little sweetness to balance it out.
This dressing is made with simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand and tastes better than any store-bought dressings. You can use it as a marinade for chicken breast, salmon or tofu, drizzled on leafy greens or tossed into grain or pasta salads.
Traditionally, many vinaigrettes and salad dressings are made with 3 parts oil to 1 part acid element like vinegar or lemon juice. In many of my homemade dressings, I like to reduce that ratio to 2 parts oil, 1 part acid because 1) I love the tang, and 2) it helps keep the overall fat and calories in check!
Why I Love Lemon Honey Dressing:
- It is made with basic ingredients that you likely already have on hand.
- It contains heart-healthy fats that will help you absorb the fat-soluble vitamins from whatever you’re eating it on.
- It’s a great way to add a lot of flavor to otherwise boring or bland ingredients.
- It has a simpler ingredient list and healthier nutrition profile than many store-bought dressings.
- It is versatile and can be made to fit your tastes!
If you make a dish and think it needs a little somethin’ somethin’- it is probably sauce. So keep this cute lil honey lemon vinaigrette dressing in your back pocket!
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need to Make this Honey Lemon Dressing:
Lemon: we’re using both the zest and juice of fresh lemons for so much flavor!
Honey: honey provides the sweetness that is needed to balance the tang of fresh lemon juice.
Garlic: a large whole clove of garlic, ideally grated on a microplane or fine grater, so that it truly infuses the dressing with flavor is ideal!
Seasonings: the seasoning for the dressing is incredibly simple so the lemon and honey flavors can shine. All you’ll need is kosher salt or sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper and a pinch of red pepper flakes, if ya like a little kick!
Olive oil: extra virgin olive oil adds a smooth, rich texture and balances the acidity and sweetness in the dressing, providing depth and a mellow, fruity flavor. Using a good quality olive oil really makes a difference in taste. If you don’t have olive oil, avocado oil is the next best choice.
How to Make Honey Lemon Dressing:
Combine all ingredients in a mason jar or salad shaker and shake vigorously to combine. Alternatively, you can whisk together everything together in a small bowl.
Taste and season with another pinch of salt or pepper, splash of lemon juice or touch of honey, per your taste.
Variation ideas:
- Use lime zest and lime juice to make a honey lime dressing.
- Try adding dried herbs or fresh herbs like minced thyme, mint, chives, dill, basil or parsley.
- Use maple syrup instead of honey for a slightly different sweetness profile.
- Add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to give it more of a honey mustard dressing feel.
- Lemon juice can be replaced with white wine vinegar to make a vinaigrette.
FAQs
-On a simple green salad
-In grain bowls like this fall farro bowl or quinoa salad
-As a marinade for grilled chicken, shrimp, salmon, white fish or pork tenderloin
-Leave out the garlic and red pepper flakes and serve it on fresh fruit salad
-Divide dressing equally among several mason jars, add hearty salad ingredients like chickpeas, feta cheese, olives, cucumbers and tomatoes to each jar and enjoy mason jar salads all week long.
Because of the fresh garlic, you should keep this dressing in an airtight container or mason jar in the fridge. The olive oil will solidify in the fridge but simply set it out at room temperature for a few minutes and shake vigorously before serving.
Keep in the fridge for up to one week.
Separation is completely normal. Just shake or whisk the dressing to re-emulsify.
If you love this recipe you’ll love my other delicious dressings!
If you try and like this recipe please don’t forget to leave a comment and star rating down below! If you love more lifestyle, behind the scenes and ‘eating in real life’ type of content come find me over on Instagram, @itsaflavorfullife, I love connecting with you all there!
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Honey Lemon Dressing
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: N/A
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2/3 cup dressing 1x
- Category: Dressings
- Method: Whisk
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Zingy, sweet and full of citrus flavor, this honey lemon dressing is super versatile and great on any salad!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest, from one whole lemon
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice, from one whole lemon
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 large clove garlic, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- pinch red pepper flakes, optional
- 1/3 cup olive oil
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a mason jar or salad shaker and shake vigorously to combine. Alternatively, you can whisk together everything together in a small bowl. Taste and season with another pinch of salt or pepper, splash of lemon juice or squeeze of honey, per your taste.
Notes
Refer to above blog post for tips, serving suggestions and answers to frequently asked questions.
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Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 103.7 mg
- Fat: 12.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 6.4 g
- Fiber: 0.1 g
- Protein: 0.1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Everything sounds delicious. Can not wait to get more recipes & cooking ideas from you. Happy New Year.
I haven’t made this but will as soon as I buy a lemon! Sounds delicious. But I am wondering about the nutrition stats. No numbers show up???
Omg so bizarre, my nutrition facts were glitching, thanks for letting me know! I just fixed it 🙂 I hope you love this dressing!
Delicious! I needed a ‘sauce’ to perk up flavors for a clean-out-the-fridge dinner. Random veggies/protein over noodles, and I knew Erica would be my go-to sauce queen! As always, she did not disappoint! 🤌🏻