You will love the zesty and refreshing flavors of ladolemono, a Greek Salad Dressing. This tangy dressing combines vibrant notes of fresh lemon and olive oil dressing with aromatic hints of garlic and herbs to give you Mediterranean flavors on salad, meats, or any other dish.
A salad dressing can make or break a salad. It can elevate a simple combination of veggies, and just as equally, it can leave the flavors flat and textures uninspired.
But making salad dressings from scratch doesn't have to be a daunting task. With a few simple steps, you can create this deeply flavorful dressing rich in olive oil and citrusy lemon goodness.
It's so good and so easy that you'll soon be whipping this up by memory.
Then drizzle it over your favorite salad, like a gluten free pasta salad or Greek tomato and cucumber salad. Or consider marinating chicken in ladolemono for that perfect tender protein to pair with a tasty side.
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Why you'll love this lemon and olive oil dressing
Refreshing Mediterranean flavor - The ingredients create a vibrant and refreshing flavor profile thanks to the citrusy lemon and fragrant herbs.
Quality control - Making homemade salad dressing gives you complete control over the ingredients, ensuring freshness and quality.
Versatile - Ladolemono goes beyond a simple salad dressing. It can be used as a marinade for meats and seafood or drizzled on roasted vegetables.
Wholesome - This easy lemon olive oil salad dressing is an easy way to add healthy fats and nutrition to your meals.
💭Fun Fact: Ladolemono is translated from Greek to English as oil and lemon. The name accurately reflects the main ingredients of this Greek salad dressing, which are mainly made of olive oil (ladi) and lemon (lemoni).
Ingredients
Learn how to make this lemon salad dressing called ladolemono with two simple steps and basic ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen.
- Extra virgin olive oil: I love this 100% California cold press extra virgin olive oil but feel free to use your favorite. This will make the base of the salad dressing use the best quality olive oil.
- Lemon juice: Adds a bright, tangy, and refreshing flavor to the salad dressing, balancing the richness of the olive oil.
- White wine vinegar: While this is not traditionally included in an authentic Greek salad dressing, it adds a more pronounced tartness than the lemon juice alone. Feel free to swap this with fresh lemon juice instead.
- Dijon mustard: Contributes a slightly spicy taste that adds depth and complexity to the lemon mustard dressing.
- Herbs: A combination of dried parsley, basil, and oregano add major flavor and complement Mediterranean cuisine.
- Garlic: Adds a robust flavor and savory note to the ladolemono dressing.
- Salt: Enhances the overall flavor, balancing everything out in this lemon vinaigrette recipe.
See the recipe card for exact quantities.
Make it Nutrient Dense
Staying true to the heart of what Prepare and Nourish is all about, there are ways to ensure you get the maximum nutrition in lemon and olive oil dressing. Even though ladolemono is a straightforward recipe, you can take purposeful steps to contribute towards a nutrient-dense lemon dressing.
Use the best olive oil. High-quality extra virgin olive oil is rich in healthy fats and antioxidants. These healthy fats allow better nutrient absorption and provide overall health benefits.
Amp the garlic. Double the garlic flavor and health benefits, and use the olive oil from garlic confit oven recipe.
Fresh herbs. Swap dried herbs with a generous amount of fresh herbs like oregano, basil, parsley, or chopped dill to the dressing for an amazing herbaceous aroma. Fresh herbs are also packed with phytochemicals, antioxidants, and various minerals adding nutrition to the ladolemono dressing.
Swap out with white wine vinegar. Consider using apple cider vinegar or brine from a lacto-fermented vegetable like unpasteurized sauerkraut or fermented green tomatoes for acidity and live probiotics.
Boost the allicin in garlic. Crushing garlic releases allicin, a compound with microbial and antioxidant properties. (source) Let minced garlic sit for a few minutes before stirring it into the garlic salad dressing to optimize allicin production.
Helpful Tips
Time-saving tip - Feel free to use concentrated lemon juice instead of fresh lemons. Just be sure it's free from sweeteners and additives.
Less clean up - Make this lemon olive oil salad dressing directly in a wide-mouth mason jar and use an immersion blender for proper emulsifying. Save time and extra dishes to wash.
Serve at room temperature - For the flavors to fully develop and meld together, serve this lemon and olive oil dressing at room temperature. Depending on the olive oil, it may solidify in the refrigerator, so be sure to pull it out 30 minutes before serving.
Shake before using - Even after thorough emulsification; the ingredients may separate and settle with storage. Give the dressing a good shake before serving to ensure the ingredients are re-distributed.
💭Meal Prep Suggestion: Double the salad dressing but don't add the garlic until just before serving. Freshly minced garlic will produce an off-taste if stored for long period of time.
Step-by-Step Instructions
The complete printable recipe is below in the recipe card for your convenience.
The recipe for lemon and olive oil dressing with garlic and herbs is a very simple 2-step tangy deliciousness.
Step 1. Add
In a small bowl or a pint-size mason jar, add all the ingredients in the order listed above.
Step 2. Whisk
Whisk until emulsified or shake vigorously to thoroughly combine all the salad dressing ingredients.
💭Pro tip: For best results, blend the olive oil with the rest of the ingredients in a high speed blender or with an immersion blender until fully incorporated and completely emulsified. The lemon olive oil dressing will become opaque tan.
Helpful Tools & Links
Below are some affiliate links that may be helpful to you as you make ladolemono, a lemon and olive oil dressing. You can find some of these items cheaper at your local store, but having a link helps you know what you're looking for.
- Tools: stainless-steel citrus juicer, mesh strainer, immersion blender, small balloon whisk
- Ingredients: unrefined sea salt, olive oil, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, dried parsley, dried basil, dried oregano, organic pure lemon juice,
Serving Suggestions
The most obvious way to serve Mediterranean dressing is with Mediterranean chopped salad (coming soon). However, don't limit this lemon and olive oil dressing to fresh salads only.
It's a great marinade for meats and seafood and a delicious dip for vegetables. It's also a refreshing dressing for grains like Instant Pot millet or buckwheat and excellent for pasta salads, especially during summer.
Greek salad dressing is as versatile as your imagination. Explore different ways to use it and enjoy experimenting.
Lemon and Olive Oil dressing pairing suggestions
Storage Instructions
How long does ladolemono last in the refrigerator?
To store: Store leftover lemon and olive oil salad dressing in the fridge in an airtight container like a pint-size mason jar or a salad bottle dispenser for up to 1 week. To prolong shelf life, consider adding the minced garlic until just before serving to maintain freshness.
Olive oil and lemon dressing can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks without minced garlic.
Storage containers: This is a great salad dressing dispenser, and this pint-size mason jar works in a pinch.
FAQs
The main ingredients in a true ladolemono are extra virgin olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Some variations, like this one, may include additional ingredients like fresh garlic, mustard, or herbs for added flavor.
The best lemon to use in lemon and olive oil dressing is a fresh, ripe lemon that is vibrant in flavor and aroma. Eureka and Lisbon lemons are a great choice to use in ladolemono. Meyer lemons are also excellent for their sweet and floral flavor.
While extra virgin olive oil is preferred for its superior flavor and quality, you can use regular olive oil if needed. However, the taste and aroma of the dressing may be less pronounced.
Looking for other healthy salad dressing recipes? Here are some ideas:
Did you make this? Please leave a ⭐ recipe rating in the recipe card below and leave a review in the comments. Thank you!💚
Printable Recipe
Lemon and Olive Oil Dressing - Ladolemono
Ingredients
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ¼ cup white wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
- Add: In a small bowl or pint-size mason jar, add all the ingredients in the order listed above.
- Whisk: Whisk until emulsified or shake the jar vigorously to thoroughly combine all the ingredients. Serve over salad or as marinade.
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