Say goodbye to lacklustre salads and hello to flavour-packed goodness with this zesty Lemon Garlic Dressing. With just a handful of ingredients and no mustard fuss, this 5-minute homemade salad dressing recipe with olive oil takes your greens to a whole new level of deliciousness.

Close up image of a mason jar with lemon oil dressing containing floating dried herbs.
Create delicious salads effortlessly with this Simple Lemon Garlic Dressing.

Let’s chat about nutritious salads for a moment, shall we? You know, as a dietitian, I’m always nudging you towards those leafy greens. But here’s the thing – I truly believe in the power of salads to elevate main dishes and create a balanced plate. 

And you know what often takes salads up a notch? The dressing. That’s where this lemon olive oil salad dressing comes into play. It’s born out of simplicity, yet it brings a burst of flavour (hello garlic!) that transforms any salad into something truly special. In fact, I often use this simple lemon garlic dressing as a marinade to create this Mediterranean Style Crispy Tofu Recipe

If you’re like me and prefer homemade healthy salad dressing recipes over store-bought versions, then I’m confident the collection on the blog will spark heaps of inspiration. From tangy to creamy to traditional flavours, this selection caters to a variety of tastes and dietary needs. Yes, that includes options suitable for vegans, those following a diabetes-friendly diet, and individuals aiming for heart-healthy choices too!

Nutrition highlights

Brace yourself for a trio of health-supporting benefits packed into every zesty spoonful!

  • Heart-healthy fats from olive oil
  • Anti-inflammatory support from lemon
  • Antioxidant benefits from garlic 

Ingredients

Assorted dressing ingredients, including oil, lemon juice, and dried herbs, arranged next to an empty mason jar.
  • Extra virgin olive oil 
  • Fresh cloves of garlic
  • Dried oregano
  • Dried thyme
  • Sea salt
  • Black pepper
  • Freshly squeezed lemon juice

How to make it

Ready to whip up a batch of this flavour-packed dressing in just five minutes? Here’s how:

Top-down view of an open mason jar placed on a wooden board, filled with oil and topped with dried herbs.
Step 1: In a clean mason jar, add olive oil, crushed garlic, dried oregano, thyme leaves, salt, pepper, and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Perspective image of an open mason jar filled with lemon oil dressing, with dried herbs floating inside.
Step 2: Secure the lid tightly on the mason jar and shake vigorously until all ingredients are well combined.

For a complete list of ingredient measurements and detailed step-by-step instructions, you can find everything you need in the printable recipe card located at the bottom of this post.

Food safe storage

Use immediately or store the sealed mason jar in the refrigerator for up to a week. Remember to shake well before each use. Enjoy!

Serving suggestions

Here are some of my favourite ways to enjoy your garlic lemon olive oil dressing:

  • Classic Garden Salad: Pair with crisp lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, and carrots for a refreshing side salad.
  • Mediterranean Quinoa Salad: Drizzle over quinoa, and Grilled Vegetables for a burst of Mediterranean flavour.
  • Simple Spicy Chicken Salad: Top romaine lettuce with pan-fried spicy chicken, and apple chunks then finish with a tangy twist of Lemon Garlic Dressing.
Perspective image of a mason jar with lemon oil dressing containing floating dried herbs.

Diabetes diet advice

Adding vibrant salads to your meals is a great way to manage type 2 diabetes. They’re packed with goodness like dietary fibre and nutrients to help keep your blood sugar in check. And guess what? This simple lemon garlic dressing makes salads taste even better, so you’ll love eating them!

If you give this dressing recipe a go, I’d love to hear from you! Share your rating, leave a comment, and be sure to tag me on Instagram @DesiliciousRD! Seeing your creations makes my day!

Desi~liciously Yours, Shahzadi
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Perspective image of a mason jar with lemon oil dressing containing floating dried herbs.
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Get the Recipe:

5-minute Lemon Garlic Dressing With Olive Oil

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Say goodbye to lacklustre salads and hello to flavour-packed goodness with this zesty Lemon Garlic Dressing. With just a handful of ingredients and no mustard fuss, this 5-minute homemade salad dressing recipe with olive oil takes your greens to a whole new level of deliciousness.

Video

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp olive oil, extra virgin
  • 1 tbsp garlic, fresh cloves, crushed
  • 2 tsp oregano, dried
  • 1 tsp thyme leaves, dried
  • 1 tsp black pepper, coarse
  • 1 tsp salt, sea salt
  • 2 lemons, freshly juiced

Equipment

  • 1 mason jar medium

Instructions
 

  • In a mason jar, combine extra virgin olive oil, crushed garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme leaves, sea salt, black pepper, and lemon juice.
  • Seal the mason jar tightly with a lid and shake the jar vigorously until all ingredients are well combined. Use immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Notes

Serving suggestions

  • Classic Garden Salad: Pair with crisp lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, and carrots for a refreshing side salad.
  • Mediterranean Quinoa Salad: Drizzle over quinoa, and Grilled Vegetables for a burst of Mediterranean flavour.
  • Simple Spicy Chicken Salad: Top romaine lettuce with pan-fried spicy chicken, and apple chunks then finish with a tangy twist of Lemon Garlic Dressing.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 42kcal (2%)Carbohydrates: 3g (1%)Protein: 0.4g (1%)Fat: 4g (6%)Saturated Fat: 1g (5%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 292mg (12%)Potassium: 53mg (2%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 1g (1%)Vitamin A: 28IU (1%)Vitamin C: 15mg (18%)Calcium: 19mg (2%)Iron: 0.5mg (3%)

Keep in mind that the nutritional values provided are approximations and suggestions, and might fluctuate depending on ingredient variations, portion sizes, and recipe adjustments. This nutrition facts table cannot account for your individual needs. Your body — including your hunger and satiety cues — change daily. It’s perfectly fine to eat more or less on different days. Instead of letting food guilt take over, consider mindful eating.

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Cuisine: American
Course: Salad
Did you make this recipe?Mention @desiliciousrd on Instagram or tag #desiliciousrd.