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My go-to everyday salad dressing recipe that’s quick and easy to make, full of zippy fresh flavors, and versatile enough to go with just about any type of salad!
Friends, do you have a go-to homemade salad dressing recipe that you love?
If not, bookmark mine! ♡
I’ve been in the habit of making my own salad dressings for years — partly because I prefer to avoid the additives found in many store-bought salad dressings, but mostly because delicious salad dressing is super quick and easy to make from scratch, and it always tastes extra fresh and flavorful!
We fondly call this particular recipe my “everyday” salad dressing in our house, because we quite literally make some version of it nearly every day of the week. (Yes, we eat a lot of salads in our casa.) It’s a basic recipe made simply with olive oil, lemon juice (or vinegar), garlic, Dijon, salt and pepper that can be whipped up in just 5 minutes. And I’m telling you — this salad dressing somehow magically works with just about any type of salad you might be craving!
It’s also an incredibly versatile base recipe that can be easily tweaked and customized, if you would like to play around with using different types of vinegar, mustards, added herbs, or added sweeteners too. Leftovers also keep well in the fridge, if you would like to make a larger batch to stretch out over the course of a week. (Which I find to be excellent motivation to eat more salad — it’s always easier to toss one together when you have some delicious dressing ready to go!) And this salad dressing recipe just so happens to be naturally gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan too.
Anyway, I first introduced this dressing a few years ago when I shared our favorite everyday side salad recipe, and many of you have shared since that it has become a regular staple in your homes as well. So for anyone who may have missed that other post or would just like a stellar salad dressing recipe to bookmark, I promise this one won’t let you down. Let’s make a quick batch!
Everyday Salad Dressing Ingredients:
Before we get to the full recipe below, here are a few quick notes about the salad dressing ingredients you will need for this recipe:
Olive oil: It’s important to use good-quality olive oil for salad dressings because its flavor is quite prominent in the dressing. I always recommend shopping for olive oil that is certified extra-virgin and really love this brand for salad dressings.
Garlic: I prefer to press or mince a small clove of fresh garlic for this salad dressing. But if you’re in a hurry, a 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder will work too!
Lemon juice (or vinegar): Most of the time, we make this recipe in our house with freshly-squeezed lemon juice, which I find is super versatile and works with nearly any kind of salad. But if you prefer to turn this recipe into a vinaigrette, you can opt instead to use any type of vinegar that you choose. (I would recommend red wine vinegar as the most versatile option, but balsamic, sherry, white wine, apple cider, or other types of vinegars would work too.)
Dijon mustard: I also almost always add a teaspoon of creamy Dijon mustard to my salad dressings. (If you don’t love mustard, don’t worry, its flavor is not overpowering and really just serves to round out all of the other flavors.) But that said, if you would like a more mustard-y dressing, feel free to double or triple the amount of Dijon. Or if you prefer a grainy mustard, whole-grain Dijon will work great too.
Fine sea salt: To bring out all of those delicious flavors.
Black pepper: And however much freshly-cracked black pepper you prefer! (I often double or triple the amount in the recipe, as we love lots of black pepper in our house.)
How To Make Salad Dressing:
Easy! All you really need to do to make this salad dressing recipe is stir or shake all of the ingredients together until combined. You can either accomplish this…
In a bowl or measuring cup: Combine all of the ingredients and whisk until combined.
In a mason jar: Combine all ingredients, cover with a lid, and shake vigorously until combined.
In a blender: Combine all ingredients and pulse until combined. (This method is especially nice if you are making a larger batch, plus you do not need to press or mince the garlic cloves.)
Possible Recipe Variations:
This basic salad dressing recipe is incredibly versatile, so please feel free to play around with different ingredients and customize whatever dressing will best suit your salad! For example, you could…
Use a different kind of vinegar: As mentioned above, feel free to substitute any type of vinegar that you would like in place of the lemon juice (such as red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, sherry vinegar, apple cider vinegar, champagne vinegar, etc).
Use a different kind of mustard (or add more!): You can also opt for a grainy Dijon mustard (instead of creamy Dijon) if you prefer. And if you would like this recipe to taste even more mustard-y, just increase the amount of mustard to taste.
Add a sweetener: If you would like a sweeter dressing, just add in a teaspoon or two of your desired sweetener. (I recommend either honey or maple syrup.)
Add herbs: You can also add in any dried or fresh herbs you would like too.
Add crushed red pepper flakes: If you would like to give this dressing some subtle heat, feel free to add in a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes as well. (I especially love this when using this dressing for an Italian salad.)
Combine ingredients. Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl (or shake all ingredients together vigorously in a sealed jar) until completely combined.
Serve. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for between 1-7 days. (See notes on storage times below.) If you choose to refrigerate the dressing, it will need to be stirred or shaken again prior to serving.
Acid options: This salad dressing recipe also works wonderfully with just about any kind of vinegar — red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, sherry vinegar, etc. So feel free to use whatever will work best for your salad!
Sweetener options: Feel free to add in 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey (or your desired sweetener) if you would like to make this dressing a bit sweeter.
Storage instructions: I find that the lemon juice version of this dressing doesn’t taste so great after more than 24 hours in the fridge. So if you would like to make a larger batch of the dressing to store for up to 1 week, I recommend using vinegar in place of the lemon juice.
This is delicious. Thank you!!
I doubled the recipe to use this week. I used red wine and lemon juice (from the bottle.) I added in a little honey to offset the tang, and also a bit of grated Parmesan to thicken it slightly. So delicious!
Is very simple and delicious♥️ Thank you for sharing!!!!
Rochelle —
Love this! I tried both…one with lemon and one with red wine vinegar…I have to say the red wine vinegar is soooo tasty. A little goes a long way too. Thank you for such an easy recipe!
This is a SUPER delicious dressing recipe and so easy to make. I was able to use extra lemons I have from our backyward tree and I did add a little red wine vinegar as well – the flavor of this dressing is really yummy! Thank youi!!
Made this as a last minute addition to a salad for some friends that were coming over. Trying to decide how to make it a little fancier, I threw in about a teaspoon of fresh dill from the garden. It. Was. Incredible! I’m currently eating a salad with my second batch, and it’s just as good. A new favorite for sure.
So easy to put together and so so tasty on our salad tonight!
Jia —
I added about a tsp of honey and it really made a big difference. We’re not fond of super sour salad dressings in our family so the honey really helped balance out the acidity. Really lovely salad dressing recipe!
Our new favorite dressing!! I’ve been making this all summer. Almost as written except I have been using vinegars that I have infused with herbs. I do add honey and not much salt. It is so fantastic that I don’t think I can go back to other dressings again! Thank you!!!
this saved dinner tonight!! thank you so much. i made a turkey loaf with mashed potatoes. was planning to serve a simple side salad, topped with this dressing, but then found the greens i had were half-bad. had to throw them out. decided we would just use the dressing for whatever works well. in the end, the turkey loaf was SUPER bland… and thats where your dressing saved the day!! it was great to mix in with the potatoes, plus on top of the individual servings of turkey loaf. its flavor was the perfect punch we needed in order to consider it a good dinner!
modifications- we didnt have red wine vinegar, so i used both white wine vinegar and apple cider vinegar. i am low on dijon and didnt really want to use it, so i used a spicy brown mustard instead. would have preferred the fresh garlic, but didnt want the extra work etc at the moment, so went with powdered.
I love this so much! I especially enjoy making it with apple cider vinegar instead of lemon juice, no garlic, and a teaspoon of chia seeds. Thank you so much! <3
I love this dressing! I love how you can easily put your twist on it. I made mine with just yellow mustard and Calamansi Juice (had no Dijon Mustard and Lemon). A doubled the amount of honey ut called for and added sesame seeds! Tasted awesome! 🤩
seriously cannot get enough of this amazingness. So thankful to have come across it.
Any chance there is nutritional info on it? Didn’t see any, and I’m actually attempting to count throughout the day trying to fix hormone imbalance on my own.
This is so delicious and easy to make!!! It’s hard to eat soy free so I was glad to find this recipe!! I used the Zatarran’s creole mustard in mine!! Yummy
When I say I can’t make enough of this 😋. I’m probably making some every two or three times a week. I add a drop of agave a pinch or so of Fennel,Dill, Thyme, Basil. and Rosemary its herb citrus garden. Thanks for sharing
This recipe is tasty and easy. I used fresh minced garlic and used 2 cloves. And spicy brown mustard. Thanks for the idea. Will definitely make it again.
Lovely dressing but I felt it definitely needed extra Dijon & honey to give it more depth. I used less salt, also. Will definitely make again, thank you!
I made this for our dinner this evening after learning I (gasp!) didn’t have any salad dressing. I quickly whipped this up – I had all of the ingredients on hand – and was so glad I did. I’ll certainly make it again. Also, I thought it might work as a marinade for chicken……??
This dressing is good but my oil starts to solidify after a day of making it. This also happens with any of the homemade salad dressings I make. Any suggestions?
Hello there!!,
Thank you so very much!.. I should have sailed on this ship years ago… (factory salad dressing is very expensive and repugnant:(
Your recipe is perfect for us kitchen novices!!
🥗😋🙏🏽Dee-lish!!
This is the most simple dressing recipe but it’s SO good. Goes with whatever salad ingredients you’d like. I make it weekly and use it for salads every night with dinner.
I think I might be missing something. I read it again and I didn’t see how much of each ingredient to put in under ingredients. Was there something else maybe to click on that maybe isn’t on my phone version
This is delicious. Thank you!!
I doubled the recipe to use this week. I used red wine and lemon juice (from the bottle.) I added in a little honey to offset the tang, and also a bit of grated Parmesan to thicken it slightly. So delicious!
Delicious and light! Used bottled lemon juice (had no lemons). My easy, go to dressing. Thank you for this recipe.
Is very simple and delicious♥️ Thank you for sharing!!!!
Love this! I tried both…one with lemon and one with red wine vinegar…I have to say the red wine vinegar is soooo tasty. A little goes a long way too. Thank you for such an easy recipe!
Can you post nutrition facts
A bit too salty! But pretty good otherwise.
It was too salty but it was also the worst dressing I have ever tasted.
This is a SUPER delicious dressing recipe and so easy to make. I was able to use extra lemons I have from our backyward tree and I did add a little red wine vinegar as well – the flavor of this dressing is really yummy! Thank youi!!
Made this as a last minute addition to a salad for some friends that were coming over. Trying to decide how to make it a little fancier, I threw in about a teaspoon of fresh dill from the garden. It. Was. Incredible! I’m currently eating a salad with my second batch, and it’s just as good. A new favorite for sure.
This is the salad dressing I keep on hand 24/7! I also use preserved lemons and mix it all up with the immersion blender. Delish
So easy to put together and so so tasty on our salad tonight!
I added about a tsp of honey and it really made a big difference. We’re not fond of super sour salad dressings in our family so the honey really helped balance out the acidity. Really lovely salad dressing recipe!
This is to die for!! Was looking for a simple dressing for my steak salad, and this was perfect. Tangy but light!
Our new favorite dressing!! I’ve been making this all summer. Almost as written except I have been using vinegars that I have infused with herbs. I do add honey and not much salt. It is so fantastic that I don’t think I can go back to other dressings again! Thank you!!!
this saved dinner tonight!! thank you so much. i made a turkey loaf with mashed potatoes. was planning to serve a simple side salad, topped with this dressing, but then found the greens i had were half-bad. had to throw them out. decided we would just use the dressing for whatever works well. in the end, the turkey loaf was SUPER bland… and thats where your dressing saved the day!! it was great to mix in with the potatoes, plus on top of the individual servings of turkey loaf. its flavor was the perfect punch we needed in order to consider it a good dinner!
modifications- we didnt have red wine vinegar, so i used both white wine vinegar and apple cider vinegar. i am low on dijon and didnt really want to use it, so i used a spicy brown mustard instead. would have preferred the fresh garlic, but didnt want the extra work etc at the moment, so went with powdered.
This was soo easy and delicious! I followed the recipe as is.
I love this so much! I especially enjoy making it with apple cider vinegar instead of lemon juice, no garlic, and a teaspoon of chia seeds. Thank you so much! <3
Is it good?
Delicious no matter which ingredients I combine to make this dressing! Thank you!
This was SO good! I used red wine vinegar and 1/2 tsp of maple syrup. This is such a great recipe that I will use over and over – thank you!
Thank you for this easy and delicious salad dressing recipe.I will no longer buy dressings…this one is healthier,tastier, and versatile.
I love this dressing! I love how you can easily put your twist on it. I made mine with just yellow mustard and Calamansi Juice (had no Dijon Mustard and Lemon). A doubled the amount of honey ut called for and added sesame seeds! Tasted awesome! 🤩
YUM! I used lemon juice, less salt, and no sweetener. Delicious with a kale, shaved brussels and pepitas salad!
I really enjoy this dressing! Alternatively, I used flax seed oil, red wine vinegar and stone ground mustard because that was what I had on hand!
Best dressing ever! If you like garlic this is for you. I recommend not adding salt until the end. Start with a pinch and go from there.
Great guideline
So good 😋 This is now my go to dressing recipe!
Love this as a simple dressing! I substituted shallot for the garlic and it was fantastic.
This was so good and so easy! We added a bit of real maple syrup as it was a bit tart.
BEST DRESSING EVER!!!
seriously cannot get enough of this amazingness. So thankful to have come across it.
Any chance there is nutritional info on it? Didn’t see any, and I’m actually attempting to count throughout the day trying to fix hormone imbalance on my own.
Thank you again for this recipe!!
This may be my new go to dressing!! I used less salt and a little horseradish and italian herbs. May try with parmesasn next time.
This is so delicious and easy to make!!! It’s hard to eat soy free so I was glad to find this recipe!! I used the Zatarran’s creole mustard in mine!! Yummy
When I say I can’t make enough of this 😋. I’m probably making some every two or three times a week. I add a drop of agave a pinch or so of Fennel,Dill, Thyme, Basil. and Rosemary its herb citrus garden. Thanks for sharing
This recipe is tasty and easy. I used fresh minced garlic and used 2 cloves. And spicy brown mustard. Thanks for the idea. Will definitely make it again.
I use a 1/2 tsp of mikes hot honey for a little zip in the dressing as well as minced shallots
Lovely dressing but I felt it definitely needed extra Dijon & honey to give it more depth. I used less salt, also. Will definitely make again, thank you!
tasty! added some honey, definitely way to much salt going to try 1/4 tsp next time!
So good! Doubled the ingredients except for salt and pepper and it’s so good!
Great dressing I added lemon zest and capers a refreshing dressing that can go on fish pork chops and of course salad love it
I made this for our dinner this evening after learning I (gasp!) didn’t have any salad dressing. I quickly whipped this up – I had all of the ingredients on hand – and was so glad I did. I’ll certainly make it again. Also, I thought it might work as a marinade for chicken……??
easy vegan-friendly recipe!! I added agave and nutritional yeast for extra vitamins and cheesiness, def a staple
I love this dressing and the variety of options. I use Red Wine vinegar and love it everyday!!!!
Really nice
This dressing is good but my oil starts to solidify after a day of making it. This also happens with any of the homemade salad dressings I make. Any suggestions?
Delicious and super easy to blend together, my favorite go to dressing!
Way too salty? Maybe every fine sea salt is different. But my carefully measured 1/2 tsp. Made my dressing inedible.
Hello there!!,
Thank you so very much!.. I should have sailed on this ship years ago… (factory salad dressing is very expensive and repugnant:(
Your recipe is perfect for us kitchen novices!!
🥗😋🙏🏽Dee-lish!!
This is the most simple dressing recipe but it’s SO good. Goes with whatever salad ingredients you’d like. I make it weekly and use it for salads every night with dinner.
I really liked this recipe & have made it a couple times so far!
It’s delicious and refreshing
I would love to cook more of this
Great Job
You truly are a master chef .
I think I might be missing something. I read it again and I didn’t see how much of each ingredient to put in under ingredients. Was there something else maybe to click on that maybe isn’t on my phone version
Adding the 1 tsp of honey gave perfect balance. Thx for another great recipe!
Omg !!!! It’s amazing….😻
Thank you…thank you so much for sharing this wonderful recipe ☺️
So simple and delicious!