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)
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:
Recipe
Meyer Lemon Salad Dressing
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.
Veronica Lee says
Sounds amazing! Yummm!
Violet says
Sounds delicious.
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!
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!
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 🙂
Sommer @ASpicyPerspective says
A great dressing to dress up my lettuce greens!
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!
kristy @ the wicked noodle says
Another fantastic recipe!! I love citrus dressings and using Meyer lemons is brilliant. Love this!!
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?!
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