Simple Honey Dijon Vinaigrette Recipe
There's something truly satisfying about making your own homemade dressings. They’re fresher, healthier, and often tastier than store-bought versions. One of my all-time favorites is this Simple Honey Dijon Vinaigrette Recipe.
It’s incredibly easy to make and requires just a few simple ingredients. Plus, it’s a great way to use up those almost-empty Dijon mustard containers you have lying around.
Why Make Your Own Vinaigrette?
Homemade dressings have a depth of flavor that you simply can’t find in store-bought varieties. By making your own, you can control the quality and freshness of the ingredients, ensuring you get the best flavor and nutrition.
This simple Dijon vinaigrette is no exception – it’s tangy, slightly sweet, and perfectly balanced.
How To Make This Simple Homemade Vinaigrette
Ingredients
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup any vinegar (balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar)
Juice of 1 lemon (fresh lemon juice)
2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
Add all the ingredients into your nearly empty Dijon mustard container or a mason jar.
Give it a good shake to mix everything together.
Store it in the fridge for up to 7 days.
Jazz's Recommended Products
1. Citrus Juicer
For fresh lemon juice in your vinaigrette, I highly recommend this citrus juicer. It makes extracting juice from lemons and other citrus fruits a breeze, ensuring you get every last drop.
You can find it here!
2. Mason Jars
Mason jars are perfect for mixing and storing your homemade dressings. They’re airtight, durable, and come in various sizes. Plus, they make shaking up your vinaigrette super easy.
Check out my favorite mason jars here!
What Makes This Vinaigrette Special?
Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor
This vinaigrette uses simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. The combination of extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and your choice of vinegar creates a tangy and refreshing base. Honey or maple syrup adds a touch of sweetness, while garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper bring a depth of flavor that enhances any salad.
Versatile and Adaptable
One of the best things about this basic vinaigrette is its versatility. You can customize it to suit your taste or what you have on hand. Swap out the extra-virgin olive oil for avocado oil or canola oil for a different flavor. Use red wine vinegar for a robust taste or white wine vinegar for a milder flavor. You can even add fresh herbs like parsley or basil for an extra burst of freshness.
A Perfect Match for Any Salad
This simple Dijon vinaigrette pairs beautifully with a variety of salads. Try it on a simple green salad, a hearty grain bowl, or a tangy Brussels sprouts salad. It’s also great as a marinade for chicken or fish, adding a burst of flavor to your proteins.
How to Store Your Vinaigrette
Mason Jar or Airtight Container?
While using your almost-empty mustard container is a clever hack, you can also store your vinaigrette in a mason jar or any airtight container. This makes it easy to give it a good shake before each use to ensure the ingredients are well mixed.
How Long Does It Last?
This homemade salad dressing will keep in the fridge for up to 7 days. Just give it a shake before using it to make sure the oil and vinegar are well combined.
Tips for the Perfect Vinaigrette
Use a Natural Emulsifier
Mustard acts as a natural emulsifier, helping to blend the oil and vinegar together. This is why it’s a key ingredient in many homemade dressing recipes. If you want a creamier texture, you can blend the ingredients using a food processor or an immersion blender.
Balance Your Flavors
A good vinaigrette has a balance of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors. If you find the dressing too tangy, add a bit more honey or maple syrup. If it’s too sweet, add a bit more vinegar or a squeeze of lemon juice.
Fresh is Best
Using fresh lemon juice and high-quality vinegar will make a noticeable difference in the flavor of your vinaigrette. Also, consider using extra virgin olive oil for a richer taste.
My Favorite Ways to Use This Vinaigrette
On Simple Salads
This lemon Dijon vinaigrette is my go-to for simple green salads. Just toss some salad greens with red onion, bell peppers, and feta cheese, and you have a delicious and easy salad.
As a Marinade
This vinaigrette also makes a really good marinade for chicken, fish, or even tofu. The tangy dressing adds a depth of flavor that makes your proteins taste amazing.
For Meal Prep
Make a big batch of this dressing at the beginning of the week, and you’ll have a quick and easy way to dress up your salads and meals throughout the week. It’s a great addition to grain bowls, roasted vegetables, and even broccoli salad.
What to Serve with This Simple Dijon Vinaigrette
This Simple Honey Dijon Vinaigrette is incredibly versatile and pairs perfectly with a variety of salads. Here are some delicious salad recipes that complement this vinaigrette beautifully:
Copycat Chick-Fil-A Market Salad
If you're a fan of Chick-Fil-A's Market Salad, you'll love this homemade version. It's packed with fresh ingredients like mixed greens, apples, strawberries, and blueberries, and topped with grilled chicken. Drizzle the simple Dijon vinaigrette over this salad for a burst of tangy flavor that enhances every bite.
Thanksgiving Fall Salad
This Thanksgiving Fall Salad is a seasonal delight, featuring ingredients like roasted butternut squash, cranberries, and pecans. The rich flavors of fall vegetables and fruits are perfectly balanced by the tangy sweetness of the honey Dijon vinaigrette. It's a great addition to your holiday table or any fall meal.
Copycat Cheesecake Factory Skinnylicious® Chopped Salad
Enjoy the flavors of the Cheesecake Factory's Skinnylicious® Chopped Salad at home with this copycat recipe. This salad includes a mix of fresh vegetables, avocado, and chicken, all finely chopped and ready to be tossed with the simple Dijon vinaigrette. It's a light, refreshing option that's perfect for lunch or dinner.
Trader Joe's Year-Round Salad
This Trader Joe's Year-Round Salad is a versatile option that you can enjoy any time of the year. It features a mix of greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and more, making it a fresh and crunchy delight. The honey Dijon vinaigrette adds a tangy kick that brings all the flavors together beautifully.
Warm Goat Cheese Kale Salad
For something a bit heartier, try this Warm Goat Cheese Kale Salad. The warm, creamy goat cheese pairs wonderfully with the tender kale and other fresh ingredients. A drizzle of the honey Dijon vinaigrette adds just the right amount of tanginess to complement the richness of the goat cheese.
FAQ
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This homemade vinaigrette can be stored in the fridge for up to 7 days. Make sure to use an airtight container, such as a mason jar, to keep it fresh. Always give it a good shake before using to re-emulsify the ingredients.
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Yes, you can use any vinegar you prefer or have on hand. Balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, and red wine vinegar all work well in this recipe. Each type of vinegar will give the vinaigrette a slightly different flavor, so feel free to experiment to find your favorite.
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If you’re looking for an alternative to honey, you can use maple syrup. It will add a similar sweetness and help balance the tangy flavors of the vinaigrette. Other options include agave syrup or even a bit of brown sugar.
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While Dijon mustard is ideal for this recipe due to its smooth texture and tangy flavor, you can use yellow mustard in a pinch. However, the flavor profile will be slightly different. Mustard acts as a natural emulsifier, helping to blend the oil and vinegar together, so it's an important ingredient.
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Yes, you can use a food processor or an immersion blender to make this vinaigrette. Blending the ingredients will give the dressing a creamy texture. Just blend until all ingredients are well combined and smooth.
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This vinaigrette is versatile and pairs well with a variety of salads. It’s perfect for simple green salads, grain bowls, roasted vegetable salads, and even hearty salads like a Brussels sprouts or broccoli salad. It also works great as a marinade for chicken, fish, or tofu.
This Simple Honey Dijon Vinaigrette Recipe is a staple in my kitchen. It’s easy to make, uses simple ngredients, and has a deliciously tangy flavor that enhances any dish. Next time you’re looking for a quick and flavorful dressing, give this recipe a try. You’ll love how it transforms your favorite salads and meals into something special.
Enjoy making and using this dielicious dressing! If you try it, let me know how you like it and any variations you made. Happy cooking!
Simple Honey Dijon Vinaigrette Recipe
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup any vinegar (balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar)
- Juice of 1 lemon (fresh lemon juice)
- 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients into your nearly empty Dijon mustard container or a mason jar.
- Give it a good shake to mix everything together.
- Store it in the fridge for up to 7 days.
Hey, I’m Jazz
I’m a nutritional therapist practitioner and spent 3 years as a personal chef to NBA athletes. Follow along for easy, attainable and healthy recipes in under 30 minutes!
Watch the Recipe Tutorial
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