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Classic Bistro Lemon Vinaigrette Salad

classic bistro lemon vinaigrette salad - featured image
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A bright, tangy, and refreshing lemon vinaigrette salad made with simple ingredients that elevate any greens with a fresh pop of flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 60ml)
  • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil (120ml)
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 small clove garlic, minced (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • About 4 cups mixed greens (120g) – baby lettuces, arugula, romaine
  • Optional add-ins: cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, cucumber ribbons, toasted nuts, crumbled feta or shaved parmesan

Instructions

  1. Juice the lemon: Roll the lemon on your countertop to loosen juices, then cut in half and squeeze out ¼ cup (60ml) of fresh juice. Remove any seeds.
  2. Make the vinaigrette: In a small bowl or mason jar, combine lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake well until honey is dissolved. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking continuously until the dressing emulsifies and thickens slightly.
  3. Prepare the salad base: Rinse and dry mixed greens thoroughly. Tear large leaves into bite-sized pieces. Slice tomatoes, onions, or cucumbers thinly if using. Toast nuts lightly in a dry pan over medium heat for 3-4 minutes if desired.
  4. Toss and serve: Place greens and add-ins in a large bowl. Pour vinaigrette over top—start with about half and toss gently. Add more dressing if needed. Serve immediately.

Notes

[‘Use fresh lemon juice only for best flavor; bottled lemon juice tastes flat and bitter.’, ‘Emulsify well by slowly whisking in olive oil to create a creamy texture.’, ‘Adjust sweetness with extra honey if lemons are very tart.’, ‘Don’t overdress the salad to avoid soggy greens.’, ‘Use a salad spinner to dry greens thoroughly before dressing.’, ‘Let minced garlic sit in lemon juice for 5-10 minutes before adding oil to mellow flavor.’, ‘Vinaigrette keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days; shake before use.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon vinaigrette, salad dressing, lemon salad, easy vinaigrette, homemade dressing, healthy salad, fresh lemon dressing

Find it online: https://novanosh.com/classic-bistro-lemon-vinaigrette-salad-easy-homemade-recipe-with-simple-ingredients/