Artificial Flavors Free Lemon-Zest Herb Vinaigrette
Bright, tangy, and deeply aromatic, this lemon-zest herb vinaigrette is the kind of dressing that makes you want to put it on absolutely everything. Every single ingredient here is whole and recognizable — fresh lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, raw honey, garlic, and a handful of fresh herbs if you like — so there's no guessing what's actually going into your food. Store-bought dressings are notorious for sneaking in synthetic flavor compounds that have no business being in something as simple as a vinaigrette, and this recipe sidesteps all of that completely. The technique is straightforward: whisk the base together, drizzle in the olive oil until it emulsifies into something silky and cohesive, and you're done in under a minute. A little lemon zest alongside the juice gives it a more complex, floral citrus note that no bottled version ever quite captures. It keeps in the fridge for up to five days, so you can make a batch on Sunday and have genuinely clean, vibrant dressing ready all week long.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 small clove garlic, finely grated or minced
- 1 tsp raw honey
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves or fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, honey, and salt in a small bowl or jar and stir until the salt dissolves.
- 2
Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking constantly until the dressing is emulsified and slightly thickened, about 30 seconds. Stir in the fresh thyme or parsley, if using.
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