Name: Everyday Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard; 1 teaspoon maple syrup; 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar; 1 small lemon, juice; 1 teaspoon dry oregano or thyme leaves; 1/4 teaspooon red pepper flakes, more to taste; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1/4 teaspoon sea salt or Kosher salt, more to taste; 1/2 - 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper; 1-2 tablespoons filtered water (to thin); 1/4 avocado (optional)

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This is my go-to, everyday salad dressing that just happens to be super simple to make, gluten-free, and vegan. Forget store bought salad dressings! With only a few ingredients, whip up this zingy, oil-free lemon vinaigrette recipe in under 5 minutes and transform your salads from ordinary to extraordinary!

Jar of lemon vinaigrette with spoonful on top. — easy lemony mustard vinaigrette dressing recipe with creamy options - all vegan!

We haven't bought salad dressing in years. They are so easy to make with only a few ingredients. Just like this delicious, creamy coleslaw dressing and dairy-free spicy Tex-Mex dressing, they are quick, super customizable, and keep well in the fridge all week. I think you'll love them too!

Let's get started . . .

Ingredient for lemon dijon vinaigrette on cutting board. — Tangy, creamy, oil-free lemon vinaigrette dressing transforms your salads from sad to scrumptious!

Ingredients for Lemon Dijon Dressing

You only need 7 basic ingredients to make this Lemon Vinaigrette recipe! It's bright and zesty just like you'd expect from a vinaigrette, but it's also dairy-free, gluten free, soy free, grain free and obviously vegan - unexpected!!

dijon mustard - rich, creamy depth of flavor
apple cider vinegar - for a sour bite
lemon juice - fresh is best for zip and brightness
garlic - freshly minced adds pungency and flavor
salt - sea salt or Kosher to elevate and enhance flavors
maple syrup - smoothes out sharpness
cracked black pepper - for spicy peppery flavor
fresh of dried oregano or thyme - any combination of herbs to add flavor
hot pepper flakes - a hint of heat
¼ avocado - optional for richness and creaminess

Hand holding a dish of lemon vinaigrette dressing over bowls of salad.

Tips for Making Oil-free Vinaigrette

Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl or place everything into a jar with a lid and shake until well combined.

Balancing Flavor - because this recipe is oil free and fat free, the acid might seem a bit sharp. Adding a hint of sweetness will soften the edge. Maple syrup is a great choice.

Garlic - use fresh (minced or microplaned) garlic for a pungent garlic flavor. If you don't have fresh, add a pinch or two of garlic powder for a little punch of flavor.

Creamy version (plant-based) - place everything into the blender and add ¼ of an avocado. Blend then taste and adjust seasonings and avocado to taste.

Creamy version (with Vegenaise) - Vegenaise transforms the vinaigrette to a richer creamier dressing. This version can be whisked in a bowl (no need to use blender). Place all the ingredients into a jar and shake until combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Tall jar of oil-free lemon vinaigrette dressing on counter.

Uses for Lemon Vinaigrette

This salad dressing keeps well in the fridge all week, so whip up a double batch - it makes everything 1000% better. Here's a few ideas to get you started . . .

as a dressing - it's super delicious on a weeknight garden salad, a Mediterranean mixed bean salad or my lunchtime favorite avocado tomato cucumber salad.
as a drizzle - brighten up grilled or baked veggies served on a rice bowl.
to wake up leftovers - at the end of the week, empty your fridge of all bits and bobs. Put them on a big salad or rice in a pretty bowl, top with fresh tomatoes, avocados and something crunchy. Douse with this creamy lemon dijon dressing and dig in. Easy and spectacular!

Lemon vinaigrette dressing being poured into a garden salad with tomatoes.

More Vegan Sauces and Dressings to Try

As a sauce loving family, you'll find plenty of dairy-free, gluten-free sauces on my vegan sauces and dressing page. Here's a few of our favorites:

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Everyday Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe

Quick and easy, everyday lemon vinaigrette dressing that's bright and zesty. This family favorite elevates everything it's drizzled on. Plus it's oil-free, dairy free, and totally vegan! Ready in under 5 minutes, this creamy dijon lemon dressing keeps well in the fridge all week!

Author :Tracy Halasz

Servings:4 servings

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Prep Time 5 mins

Total Time 5 mins

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon maple syrup
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 small lemon, juice
1 teaspoon dry oregano or thyme leaves
¼ teaspooon red pepper flakes, more to taste
1 clove garlic, minced
¼ teaspoon sea salt or Kosher salt, more to taste
½ - 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1-2 tablespoons filtered water (to thin)
¼ avocado (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl or jar.
If adding avocado (for richness and creaminess), place all ingredients in the blender and process until smooth.
Store in the fridge in a jar or air-tight container for up to a week.

NOTES

Store in a jar in the fridge for up to a week.

Apple cider vinegar and lemon add bitter and acidic notes. Because this vinaigrette is oil free, it has a sharp edge - the maple syrup softens the acidic edge. If making the avocado option, it will soften the acid too.

This recipe is from simplyceecee.co food blog. All images and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images or republish this recipe without prior permission. Thank you.