Mediterranean Salad Dressing

Ingredients

This recipe for Mediterranean salad dressing is my secret to making salads that burst with fresh, vibrant flavors and keep everyone coming back for more. It is bright and tangy like most vinaigrettes but enhanced with boldly flavorful ingredients like Dijon mustard and garlic. You’ll need the following ingredients:

Fresh lemon juice: I can’t imagine a Mediterranean vinaigrette dressing that doesn’t use freshly squeezed lemon juice. That said, this recipe would also work if you combine half lemon juice and half balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, or white wine vinegar. Fresh garlic: A fresh garlic clove will offer the punchiest flavor, but you can substitute ½ teaspoon garlic powder if that is all you have. Dijon mustard: Dijon mustard is the natural emulsifier in this Mediterranean vinaigrette recipe and adds special creaminess. Honey: While the honey is optional, I’ve found it balances the acidity and makes for a more well-rounded flavor. Real maple syrup is a good substitute. Oregano: Fresh oregano is classic, but I like to use ¼ teaspoon dried oregano when fresh is unavailable. You could also use other fresh herbs, such as fresh mint, fresh parsley, or fresh basil. Seasoning: A simple seasoning of Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper enhances those Mediterranean flavors. Olive oil: Use extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.

How to Use Mediterranean Dressing in Your Daily Cooking?

While this dressing is perfect for salads, its versatility goes far beyond that. It’s an excellent way to elevate not only Mediterranean dishes but many other delicious recipes as well. Some of my favorite ways to incorporate this dressing into my daily cooking include: Remember that as it sits in the fridge, olive oil and lemon will separate, which is normal. Just be sure to give it a good shake before using it.

Salad dressing: Think of this as an all-purpose salad dressing you can drizzle on any salad made with fresh ingredients such as veggies, pasta, or even potatoes. It can be used as the dressing component for any of my Summer Salads or drizzled over a simple green salad made with leafy greens, grape tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and tangy feta cheese. My favorite side salad, Spring Mix Salad, is a fantastic example. Additionally, its tangy and sweet flavors pair especially well with tomatoes and tomato salads, like my Burrata Caprese Salad, and it elevates pasta salad and grain salads, like Mediterranean Quinoa Salad. The bright lemon flavors give a new meaning to Italian salads, such as the ever-so-popular La Scala Salad. Finishing sauce for roasted or grilled meats: But don’t stop there. Use it as a finishing sauce to brush on any grilled protein, including Grilled Shrimp, Grilled Salmon, or Grilled Harissa Chicken. Marinade for meat and fish: Take this dressing further and use it as a marinade for chicken, beef, lamb, or fish. The acidity from the lemon juice helps tenderize the meat, while the olive oil and fresh herbs add flavor.

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Emulsifying: If you are looking for a well-emulsified dressing, whisk together all the ingredients except the olive oil in a small bowl. Then, slowly pour in the olive oil while still whisking constantly. This gradual process helps the oil and vinegar whisk together smoothly. Put it into a jar and shake: While I prefer the emulsifying method, for a fast and easy approach, you can put all the ingredients into a mason jar, seal, and shake vigorously until smooth. Use good quality ingredients: The best dressing for Mediterranean salad will taste even better with high-quality extra-virgin olive oil, honey, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. As with any recipe with minimal ingredients, the quality of the ingredients you use in this lemon olive oil salad dressing matters. Use an extra virgin olive oil that you like, take the time to squeeze your lemon juice, and choose a good-quality honey for the best results. Let it sit: Allow the dressing to sit for 15-30 minutes before using it for the best flavor. This allows the ingredients to marry together. Serve at room temperature: The flavors will be most prominent when served at room temperature. If you have stored the dressing in the fridge, remove it from the refrigerator 5-10 minutes before using it and give it a good shake before serving. Taste for seasoning: Adjust the level of lemon juice, honey, or salt based on your taste. Add some vinegar if you like it more acidic or a bit more salt or honey to tame the acidity.