Making homemade salad dressing is quick, easy and superior in flavor. Homemade Meyer Lemon Salad Dressing uses five simple ingredients including seasonal fresh Meyer lemon juice, for a dressing you’ll want to put on all your fresh salads!
This recipe was originally published in May 2014 and has been updated in April 2018!
I grew up in the iceberg lettuce era of salad. We all just accepted the complete absence of flavor as a given. As I began shopping from Farmer’s Markets as an adult I realized the vast world of lettuce available I’d never known existed.
Fantastic colors and leaf shapes that actually have great flavor too.
When visiting a friend in Switzerland a number of years ago I had a salad using only basil as a base leafy green. It seemed so strange but I loved it.
It made me realize I was approaching salad with a bit of a trail horse mentality that I quickly shed. I love combining many leafy greens and flavor-packed herbs and flowers for a beautiful salad.
Spring in particular offers many options for creative options! Of course using a great salad dressing is a must.
With the fire stoked and heat turned high as our Rocky Mountain spring weather often demands, I made this bright, light dressing that kisses springs greens leaving them tasting like a sunny day!
Meyer Lemon Salad Dressing Ingredients
Fresh Meyer lemon juice, a smidgen of sweet apple cider vinegar , extra virgin olive oil and a dab of Dijon. A bit of white pepper for good measure. Mmmmmm.
TIP for Best Citrus Juicing: if you put a citrus fruit in the microwave for 10 seconds before juicing it, the juice yield will be greater!
The Difference between Meyer Lemons and Regular Lemons
This salad dressing recipe uses fresh Meyer lemon juice specifically due to it’s sweeter, less acidic flavor. Meyer lemons are only available during the winter (usually December through May depending on where you live).
Meyer Lemons are smaller than regular lemons, a bit deeper yellow/orange (some believe they are a cross between a lemon and mandarin orange) both in the flesh and skin. If side by side with a regular lemon the visual difference and flavor is noticeable.
Why Make Homemade Salad Dressing?
After kicking the boring salad situation I was reminded how crucial a great dressing is. One that is not too heavy or with flavors that overwhelm the salad ingredients.
Making dressing at home allows you complete control to season the dressing for your personal preference or change it to match your specific salad.
Homemade salad dressings are quick and easy to make. I’ve found since making my own, purchased salad dressings often have flavors I don’t love too. I never realized how simple making my own dressing is and I think once you try it you’ll be hooked too.
Suggested Supplies for making Homemade Salad Dressing
Salad dressings don’t require fancy equipment . A citrus juicer: either handheld citrus reamer or counter type juicer (I use both). I often use small repurposed jars and salad dressing carafes are great to make and pour.
Homemade salad dressing should be stored in a sealed container and may need to warm at room temperature before using leftovers.
More Meyer Lemon Recipe Ideas You’ll Love:
- Meyer Lemon Lavender Mojitos
- White Asparagus Arugula Spring Salad with Meyer Lemon White Balsamic Dressing
- Meyer Lemon Creme Brulee (She Wears Many Hats)
- Meyer Lemon Citrus Sangria (The Cookie Rookie)
If you’ve tried this Meyer Lemon Salad Dressing recipe or any other recipe on BoulderLocavore.com, please don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know where you found it in the comments below, I love hearing from you!
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How to Make Homemade Meyer Lemon Salad Dressing – Step by Step:
Meyer Lemon Salad Dressing
Serving size note: serving size will vary depending on size of salad being dressed. Total salad dressing volume noted below.
Ingredients
- ½ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 tablespoons Meyer Lemon Juice , freshly squeezed (takes aproximately 1 lemon)
- 1 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar
- ½ teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- Pinch ground White Pepper
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a jar; place lid on jar and tighten. Shake vigorously until all ingredients have blended together in an emulsion. Store sealed in refrigerator.
Liz says
Toni, your photos are exquisite! As is your salad dressing!
Toni Dash says
My early bird friend! Thank you! We have a pile of snow here so it lifts the spirits a bit too!
Amy says
She does always take such pretty pics! Love the colors!
Toni Dash says
xo
Sarah Caron (Sarah's Cucina Bella) says
Whoa. You had snow this week? Oh my. This salad dressing looks very tasty — and I love the idea of rethinking our salad bases. I would love a basil-based salad!
Toni Dash says
The salad I had was only basil and before I tasted it I was very taken aback thinking it would be overpowering. It wasn’t at all! It really opened my mind to getting out of my salad rut. The vegetation in the photo for the dressing is the salad I ate that day; how could one resist something that is such a feast for the eyes?!
kristy @ the wicked noodle says
Another fantastic recipe!! I love citrus dressings and using Meyer lemons is brilliant. Love this!!
Jaime the German granddaughter says
Beautiful Salad with my favorite type of dressing. You can’t go wrong w lemon juice and o/o. Does the Meyer lemon give it better flavor than a normal lemon? Now that the snow is melted your flowers and plants will be happy to get some sunshine today!
Sommer @ASpicyPerspective says
A great dressing to dress up my lettuce greens!
Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos says
Such gorgeousness, Toni! I don’t even want to talk about the weather – it was 85 on Monday and today the high is 45…seriously ridiculous! This salad dressing looks perfect in every way 🙂
Becky LeJeune says
Ugh – I needed this salad during our nasty snowy days. I am so ready for summer!
Meyer lemons are one of my favorite ingredients and I am always looking for new ways to make use of them. Thanks for this recipe – it’s sure to get lots of use in my house 🙂
robin rue says
It’s April 2nd and we are getting snow here in Boston today!! Only a few inches, but still…I am SO done!
Lokness @ The Missing Lokness says
Nom… Meyer lemon dressing sounds delicious! I am always looking for a easy salad dressing to pull together. Thank you!
Violet says
Sounds delicious.
Veronica Lee says
Sounds amazing! Yummm!
robin rue says
Salad dressing is everything. It makes or breaks a salad and this one sounds like a real winner!!
Stacie says
That sounds so good. I love lemon in both sweet and savory dishes, and this dressing sounds like the perfect flavor of the warm months to make my salads really pop.
Jeanette says
I just pinned this one because I have been looking for a recipe like this. I knew something that’s healthier than I can put in the salad it’s the taste outrageous. This looks like it would fit the bill. I cannot wait to try it.
Toni Dash says
Thanks for that Jeanette!
Tonya says
I love a good salad! The dressing sounds delish, and I love how simple it is to make!
karla says
Only 1 tablespoon of meyer lemon? yet it states 1 lemon?
Toni Dash says
They are smaller and often do not yeild as much juice as a regular lemon. That is my experience of aproximately what is needed, 1 Meyer lemon, to yeild 1 tablespoon of juice. Hopefully you will get more juice from yours!
Melissa Chapman says
We always make our own salad dressings so we love to get a new recipe to change it up every so often. I never knew there were different lemons so I have to try these.
Toni Dash says
They look similar if they aren’t side by side at the grocery store so be sure you use Meyer lemons!
Kim Croisant says
I definitely prefer to make my own salad dressing. Your recipe is spot on with what my family likes. Can’t wait to make it.
Maureen says
Meyer Lemon Salad dressing sounds like a great option to use. I will have to try this the next time I am making a salad, it simply sounds delicious.
Reesa Lewandowski says
I can’t wait to give this a try! What a wonderful bright and light flavor for the warmer months!
Melissa says
First of all Meyer lemons are exceptional and second of all I would so rather make my own dressing than use the bottle bought store kind! I love knowing exactly what I’m putting on my salad and having it be just as fresh as the ingredients in my salad!
Vicky says
You know I haven’t really made many homemade dressings since I can usually find what I like at the store. But the flavor in this one has me rethinking that. I love all things meyer lemon and this looks like one I need to try!
Amy says
I am a sucker for everything lemon flavor! I really think I need to make this and enjoy it on my lunch salads!
Liz Mays says
This would be good on so many of our salad recipes. Those flavors are definitely perfect for spring!
Claudia Krusch says
It sounds so good and healthy! I can’t wait to make it! I’ve been looking for new salad dressings!
Sarah says
Yum! I don’t think I’ve ever made a homemade dressing before. This sounds super yummy and easy to make.
Toni Dash says
I’ll forward you Sarah, it’s a life changer! Once you start making your own you’ll never want to buy dressing agsin. The good news? It’s really quick and easy!!
AnnMarie John says
It sounds awesome. I love light dressings especially when the weather starts to get warm. This one’s a must try. I usually eat a lot of salads during Spring and Summer because it’s so refreshing and light!
Codrut Turcanu says
hey Toni, I like Basil. My girlfriend likes it to.
Keep up the great work, will re-visit soon 🙂
Allison Cooper says
Of this dressing just screams spring! So delicious and refreshing – and bonus that I have all these ingredients in my kitchen already!
Aziel Morte says
This is so Interesting and I’m sure my mom would love to try this salad dressing for my dad. Glad you share this
Shannon Gurnee says
I love anything made with lemons and this looks and sounds delicious! I would love to make this for my family sometime. Thanks for sharing.
Veronica Vilora Solomon says
That dressing sounds divine. I love a good dressing and a delicious salad. This might be one to try
brianne says
This dressing looks so delicious and super refreshing! I love the taste of a meyer lemon!
Debra C. says
Homemade salad dressing takes salads to a whole new level. I grew up in the iceberg era too so I know exactly what you are saying! Lovely dressing!
ashley says
I need to get my hands on some meyer lemons so I can make this asap!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
This sounds like it has so much flavor! I love making dressing from scratch, I’m going to have to try it!
Carolyn says
I love lemon! I can’t wait to try this on salads!