If you’re like me and love a bright, tangy salad dressing that’s also luxuriously smooth, then you’re going to adore this Creamy Lemon Salad Dressing Recipe. It’s super simple but packs so much flavor that it instantly elevates any salad or veggie dish. I absolutely love how this turns out—it’s perfectly balanced with just the right kick of lemon and richness from mayo and olive oil. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll keep coming back for more!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Simple Ingredients: You probably have everything in your kitchen already, so no extra shopping hassle.
- Versatile Flavor: It complements anything from green salads to grilled chicken beautifully.
- Quick to Make: Whisk it together in minutes and let it chill while you prep your meal.
- Perfect Keto Friendly: Creamy and bright, with healthy fats and zero added sugars.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This creamy lemon salad dressing recipe is all about a handful of high-quality ingredients that work together to create that silky texture and zesty flavor. Fresh lemon juice is key here, and for the rest, simple pantry staples do the heavy lifting.
- Mayonnaise: I always use a good-quality mayo for the creamiest texture without overpowering the lemon.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed is a game changer—bottled lemon juice just doesn’t have the same brightness.
- Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil adds a subtle fruity depth and smooth mouthfeel.
- Dijon Mustard: This gives a nice tang and helps emulsify the dressing.
- Garlic Powder: A little bit brings a gentle savory note without being too sharp.
- Salt: Essential to bring everything together and enhance flavors.
- Black Pepper: Just a pinch adds the perfect touch of warmth and complexity.
Variations
I love how flexible this creamy lemon salad dressing recipe is because you can tweak it based on what you have or what you’re craving. I often swap around a few ingredients to fit different moods or dietary preferences.
- Greek Yogurt Instead of Mayonnaise: I tried swapping mayo with Greek yogurt once, and it gave a lovely tangy twist while keeping it creamy and protein-packed.
- Herb Infusion: Sometimes I stir in fresh chopped herbs like dill or basil—makes the dressing taste like sunshine in a bowl.
- Spicy Kick: Adding a dash of cayenne or a little hot sauce gives it a gentle heat that wakes up your salad.
- Vegan Version: Use vegan mayo and maple syrup instead of Dijon for a plant-based friendly option.
How to Make Creamy Lemon Salad Dressing Recipe
Step 1: Gather and Measure Your Ingredients
The trick here is prepping everything before you start. I like to squeeze my lemons fresh first, so there’s no waiting or scrambling mid-way. Measure out your mayo, olive oil, Dijon mustard, and seasonings so it all comes together quickly.
Step 2: Whisk It Up!
In a small bowl, combine the mayo, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk vigorously until everything blends into a smooth, creamy dressing. You’ll notice it thickening as the emulsion forms, which is exactly what you want.
Step 3: Chill to Bring the Flavors Together
Pop the bowl in the fridge for at least 15-20 minutes before using. This step is crucial—chilling lets all the flavors marry together so your dressing tastes bright, balanced, and irresistibly creamy.
Pro Tips for Making Creamy Lemon Salad Dressing Recipe
- Freshness Is Everything: Always use fresh lemon juice—bottled just can’t compete in flavor.
- Whisk Quickly: Whisk vigorously to make sure the oil and mayo blend evenly for that perfect creamy texture.
- Rest Before Serving: Give the dressing at least 20 minutes in the fridge to let flavors meld—this always makes a difference.
- Adjust Seasonings at the End: Don’t salt until the end and taste your dressing—you might want to tweak lemon, salt, or pepper levels to suit your salad.
How to Serve Creamy Lemon Salad Dressing Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping salads dressed with this creamy lemon dressing with a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper and a little lemon zest for an extra pop of citrus aroma. A few toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds on top add a lovely crunch and nutty contrast.
Side Dishes
This dressing shines on a fresh green salad but also acts as a fantastic dip for roasted veggies or grilled chicken. I often serve it alongside crispy kale chips or spiced roasted cauliflower for a light, delicious meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I like to set out this creamy lemon salad dressing in small serving jars with little labels and mini spoons so guests can customize their salads easily. Drizzling it over stacked heirloom tomato slices or as a tangy drizzle on avocado toast has been a fun twist I’ve discovered.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover dressing in a sealed glass jar in the fridge and it stays fresh for up to 4 days. Just give it a quick stir or shake before using again because it might separate slightly.
Freezing
Freezing this creamy lemon salad dressing isn’t ideal since the texture can change due to the mayo and olive oil separating. I recommend making it fresh or storing in the refrigerator instead.
Reheating
This dressing is served cold, so there’s no reheating involved. Simply bring it out of the fridge a few minutes before serving to take the chill off for the best flavor experience.
FAQs
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Can I make this creamy lemon salad dressing recipe dairy-free?
Yes! The great thing about this recipe is that it’s naturally dairy-free since it uses mayonnaise and olive oil instead of yogurt or cream. Just be sure your mayo is dairy-free as some brands include milk-based ingredients.
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How long does the dressing keep in the fridge?
This dressing stays fresh for about 4 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Stir or shake gently before each use to recombine any separation.
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Can I use lemon juice concentrate instead of fresh lemon juice?
While you can, I really recommend fresh lemon juice for the best bright, vibrant flavor. Bottled lemon juice or concentrate lacks the brightness and freshness that really makes this dressing special.
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What salads pair best with this creamy lemon salad dressing recipe?
It pairs wonderfully with simple green salads, especially those with peppery arugula, crisp romaine, or mixed baby greens. It also complements Mediterranean-style salads with cucumbers, tomatoes, and olives beautifully.
Final Thoughts
I discovered this creamy lemon salad dressing recipe when I wanted something fresh and simple but also rich and satisfying without a lot of fuss. It quickly became a family favorite because it’s so easy to whip up and shifts any boring salad into a bright, flavorful masterpiece. I hope you enjoy making and sharing this as much as I do—it’s truly one of those recipes you’ll reach for again and again!
Print
Creamy Lemon Salad Dressing Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad Dressing
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Carb
Description
This creamy lemon dressing is the perfect keto-friendly salad dressing, blending tangy lemon juice with smooth mayonnaise and a hint of garlic. Easy to prepare and rich in flavor, it enhances any fresh salad with a zesty, creamy touch while keeping carbs low and healthy fats high.
Ingredients
For the Dressing
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Gather all ingredients including mayonnaise, freshly squeezed lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Having everything ready makes the mixing process smooth and quick.
- Mix Dressing: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Use a whisk to thoroughly blend the ingredients until the dressing is smooth and creamy with no lumps visible.
- Refrigerate for Flavor: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the dressing to a sealed container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or longer if possible. This resting time allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a more delicious and harmonious taste.
- Serve: When ready to use, give the dressing a good stir and drizzle it over your favorite salad or store it in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Notes
- For best flavor, prepare the dressing ahead of time and let it chill in the refrigerator.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste depending on your preference.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the brightest flavor.
- This dressing keeps well refrigerated for up to 7 days.
- Perfect for keto, low-carb, and paleo diets.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0.2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
