• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
  • Work with Me
  • Subscribe
  • Contact

Two Cloves Kitchen logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Work with Me
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Work with Me
    • Subscribe
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Meal » Condiments

    Published: Dec 9, 2022 by Genevieve · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Lemon Herb Vinaigrette

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email
    • Yummly
    • Flipboard
    Homemade dressing in a spoon is shown with the words Lemon Herb Vinaigrette and the URL www.twocloveskitchen.com.
    Homemade dressing in a spoon is shown with the words Lemon Herb Vinaigrette and the URL www.twocloveskitchen.com.
    Homemade dressing in a spoon is shown with the words Lemon Herb Vinaigrette and the URL www.twocloveskitchen.com.
    Homemade dressing in a spoon is shown with the words Lemon Herb Vinaigrette and the URL www.twocloveskitchen.com.
    Homemade dressing in a spoon is shown with the words Lemon Herb Vinaigrette and the URL www.twocloveskitchen.com.
    Homemade dressing in a spoon is shown with the words Lemon Herb Vinaigrette and the URL www.twocloveskitchen.com.
    Homemade dressing in a spoon is shown with the words Lemon Herb Vinaigrette and the URL www.twocloveskitchen.com.
    Homemade dressing in a spoon is shown with the words Lemon Herb Vinaigrette and the URL www.twocloveskitchen.com.

    Lemon Herb Vinaigrette is a versatile dressing that combines lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, dijon, and fresh herbs. You can use tarragon, dill, or basil, for a light, fresh salad dressing or herbs like rosemary and thyme for a bold dressing for meats and potatoes!

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe
    A spoonful of lemon herb vinaigrette is shown in the foreground over a green salad.

    Why You'll Love This Dish

    It's quick. All you need to do is add your olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs to a glass jar, shake to emulsify, and you're ready to serve.

    It's super easy. If you don't have a glass jar, just add all of your ingredients to a bowl and combine with a whisk or a fork.

    This dressing is endlessly versatile. Try on everything from a side salad, to a grain bowl, to roast chicken. You'll be surprised at how many uses you'll find for this vinaigrette!

    You can customize this recipe with different herbs. In the summer, try a fresh basil vinaigrette over a salad with grilled chicken. In the winter, use rosemary in the dressing for a delicious topping for potatoes!

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Dish
    • What You'll Need
    • How to Make Lemon Herb Vinaigrette
    • FAQ
    • Variations
    • How to Store
    • How to Serve
    • Expert Tips
    • More Recipes You'll Love
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments
    The labeled ingredients for lemon herb vinaigrette are shown on a white marble counter.

    What You'll Need

    • Lemons Fresh-squeezed lemon juice is lovely here, but feel free to use bottled lemon juice if you can't find fresh lemons.
    • Olive Oil A good quality olive oil would be very nice here because there are so few ingredients.
    • Garlic Fresh garlic is always my preference, but feel free to use jarred garlic as well.
    • Fresh Herbs I recommend about two tablespoons of fresh tarragon, basil, dill, mint, or parsley, or about a half teaspoon of fresh rosemary, thyme, oregano, marjoram, or dried herbs like Italian seasoning or Herbs de Provence.
    • Dijon Mustard Feel free to omit this if you aren't a mustard fan.
    • Salt Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt is my brand of choice. It coats food evenly and is less salty than traditional table salt by volume, making it much easier to taste as you go!
    • Pepper Fresh cracked pepper is delicious here.

    How to Make Lemon Herb Vinaigrette

    Step One In a small glass jar with a lid, or in a bowl, add the olive oil, vinegar, chopped herbs, mustard, and salt and pepper to taste.

    The ingredients for lemon herb vinaigrette are shown in a glass jar.

    Step Two Finely mince the garlic or grate using a Microplane and add to the mixture.

    Two plates of side salad are shown dressing in a lemon herb vinaigrette.

    Step Three If using a jar, shake to emulsify. If you are using a bowl, whisk until the ingredients are fully combined. Taste for seasoning and serve!

    An emulsified lemon vinaigrette is shown in a glass jar.

    FAQ

    What is lemon herb vinaigrette made of?

    A vinaigrette is an emulsified mixture of oil and an acid, like citrus juice or vinegar. Lemon herb vinaigrette uses lemon juice for the citrus component and adds fresh flavor through the addition of herbs.

    What are the three components of a vinaigrette?

    Fat, acid, and seasoning. This is commonly olive oil or a neutral oil like canola or grapeseed oil.

    What is the ratio of fat to acid in a vinaigrette?

    There are a few options here. A classic rule of thumb is 3 parts fat to 1 part acid. This is a good place to start. I also love a more punchy 2 to 1 or even 1 to 1 ratio for a very bold, flavorful vinaigrette.

    Should lemon vinaigrette be refrigerated?

    Yes. Any leftover dressing will need to be refrigerated.

    Is vinaigrette served hot or cold?

    Both! This vinaigrette is delicious on a cold salad, but it's equally good served over hot potatoes, or on a warm salad or grain bowl.

    Variations

    Different Fresh Herbs Instead of tarragon, try basil, mint, dill, parsley, or cilantro. You can also use a smaller quantity of chopped fresh rosemary, thyme, marjoram, or oregano.

    Shallot In place of the garlic, try some finely chopped shallot

    Sweeter Dressing For a sweeter dressing, add a bit of honey.

    Other Acid In place of lemon juice, try a different citrus juice, like lime juice, or any number of vinegars, such as balsamic, rice wine, white wine, red wine, or champagne vinegar.

    How to Store

    Fridge Store this vinaigrette in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Shake again before using.

    If the olive oil has coagulated (become solid), the vinaigrette is still totally safe to consume. Just let the dressing come to room temperature and shake, whisk, or stir to combine.

    Freezer I do not recommend freezing this vinaigrette.

    Two plates of side salad are shown dressing in a lemon herb vinaigrette.

    How to Serve

    This Lemon Herb Vinaigrette can be used in countless ways. Try these:

    Salad A simple side salad is a great option here. Have it with soup like this Chicken Pastina Soup, a sandwich like this Grinder Sandwich, or a surf and turf dinner like this pork chop and shrimp recipe.

    Grain Bowls Add to a grain bowl like this Mediterranean Grain Bowl or this Warm Grain Bowl with Goat Cheese and Greens.

    Warm Salad Try this dressing on a warm spinach salad.

    Roasted Vegetables This is delicious over roasted vegetables like this Roasted Tenderstem Broccoli or these Roasted Cherry Tomatoes on the Vine.

    Roasted Meats A simple roast chicken would be delicious accompanied by this vinaigrette.

    Potatoes Use this dressing over cooked potatoes, like these Air Fryer Fingerling Potatoes or these Crispy Smashed Air Fryer Potatoes.

    Tomatoes This would be wonderful over a cold tomato salad or over warm roasted tomatoes, like these Air Fryer Tomatoes.

    Expert Tips

    • Mix very well. You'll want the vinaigrette to be fully incorporated, so I like to...
    • Use a glass jar. This is a trick I love to use when making a vinaigrette. It's easy to emulsify the dressing by sealing the lid tightly and shaking. It will stay stable for longer this way, too.
    • Is your dressing tasting bland? Whenever you encounter this problem, salt and acid are your friends! Try adding a bit more lemon juice, a tiny pinch of salt, and taste again for seasoning.

    More Recipes You'll Love

    Looking for more recipes that boost the flavor of your food? Try the suggestions below!

    • Pineapple Habanero Sauce
    • Tomato Mascarpone Sauce
    • Chipotle Southwest Sauce
    • Creamy Salsa Dressing
    • Jalapeño Vinaigrette
    • Creamy Dill Sauce
    • Keto Caesar Dressing
    • Caramelized Mushrooms and Onions
    • Spicy Pickled Onions

    📖 Recipe

    A spoonful of lemon herb vinaigrette is shown in the foreground over a green salad.

    Lemon Herb Vinaigrette

    A bright, fresh vinaigrette made with olive oil, lemon juice, fresh herbs, garlic, and dijon. Try it on salads, roasted vegetables, crispy potatoes, grain bowls, and more!
    5 from 26 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Condiment, Sauce
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Dressing, Easy Recipe, Fresh Herb Vinaigrette, Lemon Vinaigrette, Quick, Salad Dressing
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 2-tablespoon servings
    Calories: 162kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Glass Jar
    • Kitchen Knife

    Ingredients

    • ⅔ cup olive oil extra virgin
    • ⅓ cup lemon juice
    • 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs like tarragon, basil, parsley, mint, or dill
    • 1 clove garlic small, minced or grated
    • ½ tablespoon dijon mustard or to taste
    • kosher salt to taste
    • black pepper to taste

    Instructions

    For Glass Jar

    • Add all ingredients to a glass jar with a lid and shake well to emulsify. Taste for seasoning and serve.

    For Bowl

    • Add all ingredients to a bowl and whisk well with a fork or whisk. Taste for seasoning and serve.

    Notes

    Storage
    1. Fridge Store this vinaigrette in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Shake again before using.
    2. If the olive oil has coagulated (become solid), the vinaigrette is still safe to consume. Let the dressing come to room temperature and shake, whisk, or stir to combine.
    3. Freezer I do not recommend freezing this vinaigrette.
    Variations
    1. If using fresh tarragon, basil, dill, mint, or parsley, use 1 to 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh herbs. 
    2. If using fresh rosemary, thyme, oregano, or marjoram, or using dried herbs like an Italian seasoning blend or Herbs de Provence, use ½ to 1 teaspoon instead.
    3. You can use lime juice or different types of vinegar in place of lemon juice.
    4. Try a tablespoon or two of finely chopped shallot in place of garlic for a sweeter vinaigrette.
    5. If the vinaigrette is a bit too sharp, try adding a tiny bit of honey.
    6. You can omit the mustard if you do not like it.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 162kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 14mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.1mg

    More Condiments

    • Cilantro lime crema in a white and green dish surrounded by lime halves, fresh cilantro, and garlic cloves.
      Cilantro Lime Crema
    • Closeup side view of marinated heirloom tomatoes in a pie dish.
      Marinated Heirloom Tomatoes
    • Quick pickled shallots in a glass jar on a rustic wooden cutting board.
      Quick Pickled Shallots Recipe
    • Overhead shot of creamy salsa dressing in a glass jar surrounded by cilantro, fresh tomatoes, and a halved lime.
      Creamy Salsa Dressing
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email
    • Yummly
    • Flipboard

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Traci says

      December 14, 2022 at 4:20 am

      5 stars
      I love the beautiful color of this recipe and how it turned out. I also love the wonderful taste! It’s a very versatile recipe!

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        December 15, 2022 at 1:22 pm

        Thanks Traci!

        Reply
    2. Kris says

      December 14, 2022 at 9:41 am

      5 stars
      Perfectly tangy and flavorful. I used it on a warm quinoa salad and it was a hit!

      Reply
    3. Lisa says

      December 14, 2022 at 10:53 am

      5 stars
      I needed a quick dressing for a luncheon and this one fit the bill perfectly. My guests and I really enjoyed the flavor.

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        December 15, 2022 at 1:23 pm

        Wonderful! Thank you, Lisa.

        Reply
    4. Shelby says

      December 14, 2022 at 11:40 am

      5 stars
      This is such a healthy alternative to store-bought! I love adding dill into ours because it gives whatever I'm using it on such a potently fresh flavor.

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        December 15, 2022 at 1:23 pm

        Yes! Absolutely love this in place of store-bought dressing. Thanks so much, Shelby!

        Reply
    5. Sonia says

      December 15, 2022 at 8:53 am

      5 stars
      It is so easy to make, and the dressing is very flavorful and versatile. I used it over some boiled potatoes and the result was a refreshing potato salad! It have become one of my go-to recipes.

      Reply
      • Genevieve says

        December 15, 2022 at 1:23 pm

        Glad to hear it! Thank you, Sonia.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Photo of a blonde woman in a blue dress with a gray sweater sitting in front of bookcases.

    Hi, I'm Gen! Welcome to Two Cloves Kitchen. I am a professional chef, lifelong recipe creator, writer, and editor. As a native Californian and a major food lover, I am constantly developing new California-inspired dishes with bold flavor to share with you here on the site.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • A turkey smash burger on a wooden cutting board in front of subway tile.
      The Best Turkey Smash Burgers
    • Overhead shot of red and yellow lobster ravioli on a white plate.
      Sauce for Lobster Ravioli
    • Pickled serrano peppers are shown in a glass jar surrounded by garlic, serrano peppers, and a fork.
      Quick and Easy Pickled Serrano Peppers
    • Grilled, sliced ranchera meat is shown on a black stone plate surrounded by lime and orange slices and cilantro.
      Ranchera Meat

    The Best Summer Recipes

    • Sliced carne asada sits on a light blue plate surrounded by sliced oranges, limes, a bunch of cilantro, tortillas, and a glass of beer.
      The Best Carne Asada Marinade
    • A closeup side view is shown of an air fryer turkey burger on a light blue plate.
      The Best Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
    • Arugula caprese salad on a white plate next to two forks, a white linen, and a small glass pitcher of balsamic glaze.
      Arugula Caprese Salad Recipe
    • An overhead shot of garden fresh salsa in a white bowl.
      Fresh Garden Salsa Recipe (Pico de Gallo)

    STAY UP TO DATE!

    Subscribe to our newsletter

    for California-inspired recipes, weekly meal planning inspiration, and lots of bold, fresh flavor!

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy
    • Disclosures

    Contact

    • Work with Me
    • Contact

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Two Cloves Kitchen

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Close