Citrus Dressing

Homemade salad dressings are one of the easiest ways to elevate your meals, and this citrus dressing is no exception. Made with fresh orange juice, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, and lime juice, this citrus vinaigrette dressing is bright, tangy, and perfectly balanced with a touch of sweetness. With simple ingredients and a quick preparation time, this dressing is a great way to add a burst of flavor to salads, grain bowls, and even proteins like grilled chicken or seafood.

Ingredient Notes

• Fresh Citrus Juices and Zest – The key to a great dressing is using fresh ingredients. Juice and zest one orange, one grapefruit, one lemon, and one lime. Zesting the fruit first helps capture the essential oils, boosting the citrusy flavors of this homemade vinaigrette.
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil – A good quality oil adds richness and rounds out the citrus salad dressing. Avocado oil or canola oil can be used as substitutes.
• Honey – This natural sweetener balances the acidity. Maple syrup or agave nectar work well as alternatives.
• Dijon Mustard – Helps emulsify the dressing, giving it a creamy vinaigrette consistency.
• Apple Cider Vinegar – Adds depth and a little extra tang. You can swap it for white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar.

Instructions

In a medium bowl or mason jar, combine the zest and juice of 1 orange, 1 grapefruit, 1 lemon, and 1 lime. Removing any seeds ensures a smooth dressing.

Add ⅔ cup extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons honey, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar to the bowl or jar. Whisk or shake vigorously until well combined. If you prefer a smoother consistency, blend with an immersion blender.. If you prefer a smoother consistency, blend the dressing with an immersion blender.

Taste the finished dressing and adjust as needed. If you prefer a sweeter dressing, add a little more honey; for extra tang, add more fresh lemon juice or vinegar. Store the dressing in a mason jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Before using, give it a good shake to recombine the ingredients.

How to Serve Citrus Dressing

• Green Salad – Drizzle over summer salads with fresh greens and feta cheese.
• Grain Bowls – A great way to enhance quinoa salads or farro bowls.
• Beans – Toss with white beans, navy beans, or blanched green beans for a refreshing side dish.
• Proteins – Use as a marinade for grilled chicken, fish, or shrimp.
• Tacos – A perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors for seafood tacos.

Tips, Tricks, and Alterations

• Use fresh citrus juice – Store-bought dressing can’t compare to the flavor of fresh juice.
• Experiment with vinegars – Try white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar for a twist on the classic.
• Adjust sweetness and tanginess – Personalize it by tweaking the honey and citrus ratios.

Storage – Keep in an airtight container for up to a week.

If you’ve tried this Citrus Salad Dressing recipe or any other recipe on BalancingBowls, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to see more tasty meals and anything else I’m up to.

Recipe

Citrus Salad Dressing

Are you tired of the same old boring salad dressings? Do you want to add a burst of citrus flavor to your greens? Look no further than this delicious and easy-to-make Citrus Salad Dressing recipe. With the zesty and bright flavors of orange, grapefruit, lime, and lemon combined with the sweetness of honey and the richness of olive oil, this dressing will elevate any salad to the next level. Plus, it's versatile enough to use on a variety of salads and other dishes. So, grab your citrus fruits and let's get cooking!

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Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Ingredients

  

• Juice and zest of 1 orange
• Juice and zest of 1 grapefruit
• Juice and zest of 1 lemon
• Juice and zest of 1 lime
• ⅔ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons honey
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

 

• In a medium bowl or mason jar, combine the zest and juice of 1 orange, 1 grapefruit, 1 lemon, and 1 lime.
• Add ⅔ cup extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons honey, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar to the bowl or jar. Whisk or shake vigorously until well combined. If you prefer a smoother consistency, blend with an immersion blender.
• Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Add more honey for sweetness or extra citrus juice for tang.
• Store in a mason jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Shake well before using.