Lemon Dijon Dressing

Name: Lemon Dijon Dressing
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1/2 c olive oil; 1/3 c lemon juice; 1/2 tsp lemon zest; 1 garlic clove minced; 1 T Dijon mustard; 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning; 1/2 T honey; 1/2 tsp pepper; ¼ - ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste); 1 tsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)

By Lorie Yarro

5 from 2 votes

May 10, 2023, Updated Apr 11, 2025

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This simple 5 minute Lemon Dijon Dressing is the perfect complement to your favorite salad and so much more. Lemon juice, olive oil, a touch of honey and your favorite dijon mustard come together for a vibrant flavor that will perk up any salad!

Honey lemon dijon dressing in jar topped with chopped parsley and spoon inside.

Why You Will Love This Lemon Dijon Dressing Recipe
Ingredient notes
Recipe Tips
Lemon Dijon Dressing Serving Suggestions
Storage
Other Lemon Recipes
Lemon Dijon Dressing Recipe
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Why You Will Love This Lemon Dijon Dressing Recipe

It only takes 5 minutes to make. Sure a dressing from the grocery is ready to go, but as far as making dressing homemade, this lemon dijon dressing takes less than 5 minutes. You really can’t beat that!
It’s so fresh and flavorful. Vibrant lemon flavor paired with the sharp dijon mustard flavor adds a tang to your favorite salad and many other dishes. A drizzle of this on top of even the most simple salad recipe will give it so much pizzaz!
You can add it to so much more than salads! This dressing can go beyond just your favorite green salad. You can use it as a chicken marinade instead of the suggestions for this Lemon Pepper Grilled Chicken, tossed in a pasta salad–it’s great tossed in this Tomato Basil Pasta Salad, or even over cooked veggies like this Air Fryer Broccoli. It will complement so many dishes that you love.

Ingredient notes

See the full recipe with exact measurements below in the recipe card.

Lemon, olive oil, garlic, honey and other ingredients needed for recipe on counter.

lemon juice and zest: use lemon juice that is freshly squeezed for this honey lemon dijon dressing. Nothing compares. Lemon zest may not be everyone’s favorite as it may add a slight texture to the dressing like orange juice pulp. If you don’t love that, you can pulse the dressing in a blender when making it.
olive oil: A nice extra virgin olive oil is highly recommended for this dressing for the best flavor.
dijon mustard: A classic dijon mustard, any brand, or whatever kind you love. This is the ingredient that gives the dressing a more intense flavor. You can start with half and then add to your liking if you are worried the flavor may be too sharp for you.
honey: while honey is our preference in this lemon salad dressing, you could opt to sweeten with maple syrup if desired. This will make the recipe fully vegan if necessary. You can also easily adjust the sweetness to taste, but I find it needed in this recipe to cut the tartness a touch.
garlic: freshly minced garlic clove is best. About 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder will sub for the clove, but again, go with a clove if possible.
Italian seasoning: I find the addition of some herbs is key in this dressing to set it apart from other lemon dressings. If you don’t have Italian seasoning on hand, you can use dried basil, thyme and oregano, or some rosemary. Freshly chopped herbs are great as well–chop them very small.
parsley: technically optional, but I like to add a touch of freshly chopped parsley to this lemon dijon dressing.
salt/pepper: you can adjust these to your liking!

Measuring cup with honey lemon dijon dressing ingredients before whisking.

Recipe Tips

Start with half the amount of dijon mustard and then adjust to taste. Dijon mustard has a punch to it and a little can certainly go a long way for some. You can about half of the tablespoon to start and then add more as desired.
Change it up with fresh herbs. Italian seasoning is so simple to add and keeps the recipe at that 5 minutes to make it mark. If you would like to chop up some fresh thyme, basil and oregano, feel free to do so!
For best results, always use freshly squeezed lemon juice. Skip the stuff in the bottle if at all possible, the flavor doesn’t even come close to using fresh lemon juice.
If you like your dressing super smooth, blend it! Use a high powered blender and pulse until smooth to break down the garlic, lemon zest and herbs for a super smooth dressing. If texture doesn’t bother you, this is not at all necessary.

Lemon Dijon Dressing Serving Suggestions

Lots of salads are going to go so well with this honey Lemon Dijon Dressing. From the most simple, to a veggie packed plate of goodness. I love to drizzle this over chopped romaine with tomatoes and shaved parmesan–simple and vibrant. Other salads you will love this on include this spring green salad, chopped salad, and chickpea avocado salad (just use this instead of the stated dressing).

You can think beyond greens and add it to this lemon orzo salad, grilled zucchini pasta salad, or drizzle it over roasted green beans. I also love using it as a marinade for this lemon pepper grilled chicken to change it up a bit. So delish!

White plate with green salad topped with cheese and tomatoes as well as honey lemon dressing.

Storage

This lemon dressing will stay fresh for about 5-7 days. Keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator or toss it in a recipe that you keep in an air tight container.

While salad dressings can be frozen, I really don’t recommend it. Something is just not the same once it is thawed.