Paraben Free Lemon-Zest Herb Vinaigrette
Bright, tangy, and impossibly fresh, this lemon-zest herb vinaigrette is the kind of dressing that makes you want to put a salad on the table every single night. Every ingredient here is whole and recognizable — fresh lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, raw honey, garlic, and a handful of herbs if you're feeling it. That matters more than people realize, because many store-bought dressings quietly rely on synthetic preservatives and fragrance-adjacent additives that can be a real concern for anyone keeping parabens out of their routine. Making your own means you know exactly what's going in the bottle. The emulsification technique — slowly drizzling in the olive oil while whisking — gives you a cohesive, slightly thickened dressing rather than a separated, oily mess. A touch of lemon zest alongside the juice layers in a deeper citrus flavor that feels almost restaurant-quality without any extra effort. It keeps in the fridge for up to five days, so you can make a batch ahead and have a clean, vibrant dressing ready to go 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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