Sometimes it's best to keep things simple, and this homemade salad dressing is the perfect example of how delicious doesn't have to mean complicated. With just a handful of staple ingredients like extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and a touch of honey, this dressing effortlessly elevates green salads, grain bowls, or even grilled chicken.

salad dressing in a mason ajar next to a salad and lemons

While I do love my favorite store-bought dressings, I often forget to buy them—but I almost always have these basic ingredients on hand. This dressing is delicious on its own, but also makes an excellent base for adding fresh or dried herbs.

So if you're staring at your refrigerator, trying to remind yourself to "keep it simple stupid" this salad dressing might just be the recipe for you and your salad tonight.

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Ingredient Notes
Instructions
How to Serve
Tips, Tricks, and Alterations
Recipe

Ingredient Notes

This honey lemon salad dressing is made with simple, everyday ingredients, yet delivers so much flavor. Here's what you'll need:

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: I use ½ cup of extra virgin olive oil for a rich, smooth texture. It forms the base of this homemade salad dressing and gives it that silky consistency we all love.
Fresh Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice (6 tablespoons) is essential for that bright lemony flavor. Bottled lemon juice just doesn't have the same fresh tang, so reach for fresh lemons if you can.
Dijon Mustard: Just 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard brings a subtle tang and helps emulsify the dressing, ensuring it stays creamy and smooth.
Honey: I add 2 tablespoons of honey for a bit of sweetness to balance the acidity of the lemon juice. You can adjust the amount of honey to suit your taste or even substitute it with maple syrup for a different flavor.
Lemon Zest: The zest of 1 lemon adds an extra punch of bright, lemony flavor, enhancing the overall freshness.
Salt and Red Pepper Flakes: I use 1 teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes for a bit of seasoning and a slight kick. Feel free to adjust the red pepper flakes to your desired spice level.
Fresh Thyme: Just ¼ teaspoon of fresh thyme adds a subtle herbal note that pairs perfectly with the lemon.

olive oil and lemon juise honey and in a mason jar

Instructions

This dressing comes together quickly and easily in a mason jar.

Add 6 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, the zest of 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons of honey, ½ cup of extra virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon of salt, ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes, and ¼ teaspoon of fresh thyme to a mason jar. Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously until the dressing is creamy and well combined.

Store your homemade honey lemon dressing in the mason jar in the refrigerator for up to one week. Just give it a quick shake before using, as the oil may separate over time.

How to Serve

Drizzle over your favorite green salads for a bright, tangy kick.
Use it as a marinade for grilled chicken or shrimp.
Toss with a simple green salad or arugula salad for a perfect spring or summer side dish.
Pair it with a grain bowl to add a touch of honey sweetness and lemony tang.

Tips, Tricks, and Alterations

Alternative Method: If you don't have a mason jar, you can easily make this honey lemon dressing in a small bowl with a whisk. Just add all the ingredients and whisk until well combined. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This method works just as well for creating delicious homemade salad dressings.

Substitute Ingredients: If you’re out of honey, try using maple syrup for a slightly different flavor. It works well, especially if you like a more earthy sweetness.

Add Extra Flavor: Want even more flavor? Add a clove of minced garlic or a pinch of onion powder to the dressing for a bit of depth.

Make It Spicier: Increase the amount of red pepper flakes if you like a bit more heat. You could even add a pinch of white pepper for another layer of spice.

Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh thyme works well, but you could also use dried thyme if that’s what you have on hand. Just remember to use a smaller amount since dried herbs are more concentrated.

Store Properly: Keep the dressing in a small jar with a tight lid for best results. This makes it easy to shake and serve whenever you need a quick, healthy dressing.

If you’ve tried this Honey Lemon 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