Our 20 Most Popular Vinaigrette Recipes

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Published on April 16, 2024

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Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette — Photo: Eva Kolenko

Get out a jar, blender or humble fork to make these tasty vinaigrettes. These tangy mixtures are packed with flavor and perfect as dressings, marinades and dips for your favorite foods. And they happen to be some of the four- and five-star rated recipes that EatingWell readers are visiting most often, so we’re sure you’ll love them, too. Drizzle our Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette over something simple like a cabbage salad. Or, pair our sweet Honey-Mustard Vinaigrette with crudité at the next occasion so everyone can enjoy it.

01 of 20

Julia Child's Sauce Vinaigrette

a recipe photo of Julia Childâs Timeless Vinaigrette — Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

When making her simple Sauce Vinaigrette recipe, Julia Child suggests using high-quality vinegar and oil, as their flavors will really shine through. We thought a pinch of sugar would balance the acidity and flavor of the ground mustard; feel free to add some if you find the dressing to be too strong.

02 of 20

Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette

Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette — Eva Kolenko

While a 1-to-2 acid-to-oil ratio is common for vinaigrettes, shifting it to 1-to-1½ yields a dressing with a brighter flavor and fewer calories. That means for every 1/2 cup of acid, such as vinegar or lemon juice, use 3/4 cup of oil in this salad dressing recipe.

03 of 20

Citrus Vinaigrette

Citrus Salad Dressing

This versatile citrus salad dressing gets a touch of natural sweetness from orange juice, which balances the acidity of the lemon juice. Use it in coleslaw for a mayo-free dressing, or drizzle it over winter greens with dried fruit and nuts.

04 of 20

Honey-Mustard Vinaigrette

Honey-Mustard Vinaigrette

Here is a great, all-purpose salad dressing. The pleasing pungency of Dijon mustard makes it a good match for slightly bitter greens, such as escarole, chicory, radicchio or Belgian endive. It also makes an irresistible dipping sauce for crunchy vegetables (especially fennel) and crusty whole-wheat bread.

05 of 20

Herb Vinaigrette

herb vinaigrette — Jen Causey

This fresh herb vinaigrette dressing recipe is great tossed with mixed greens or as a dressing for cold pasta salads. It's easily adapted to whatever herbs and citrus you have on hand. Be sure to shake well before serving.

06 of 20

Mint Vinaigrette

This brightly flavored lemon-mint vinaigrette recipe is an ideal dressing for mixed green salads or grain salads, such a quinoa or freekah, topped with fresh fruit.

07 of 20

Honey-Mustard Vinaigrette with Lemon

Honey-Mustard Vinaigrette with Lemon

A healthy, tasty homemade salad dressing is as simple as shaking a few ingredients in a jar.

08 of 20

Roasted Red Pepper Vinaigrette

This roasted red pepper vinaigrette recipe has a Spanish zing with the addition of sherry vinegar and smoked paprika. Purchased jarred roasted red peppers make this salad dressing recipe quick, or you can make it extra-special by roasting your own red peppers.

09 of 20

Sherry Dijon Vinaigrette

This healthy salad dressing takes just a few minutes to whip together and keeps for several days in the fridge. Try it with spicy greens, such as arugula, or any of your favorite dinner salads.

10 of 20

Cucumber Herb Vinaigrette

Cucumber Herb Vinaigrette

As the base of this herb-spiked dressing, pureed cucumber provides a mellow grassy flavor and a luxurious texture. Pureeing vegetables into a salad dressing is a great way to give it body (and to sneak in more low-cal vegetables). Experiment with tomatoes, arugula and/or roasted garlic to create your own dressing magic.

11 of 20

Citrus-Lime Vinaigrette

Citrus-Lime Vinaigrette

Tangy and spicy, this citrus-lime vinaigrette with orange juice, jalapeno pepper, and fresh cilantro is perfect tossed with baby arugula.

12 of 20

Basil Vinaigrette

Drizzle this basil salad dressing over sliced tomatoes or cooked green beans. Or toss it into a grain salad for a pop of fresh summertime flavor.

13 of 20

Balsamic Vinaigrette

a recipe photo of the Balsamic Vinaigrette in a jar — Ana Cadena

In this balsamic vinaigrette recipe, the addition of Italian seasoning adds an extra layer of flavor and spice. Use as a quick and easy balsamic vinegar salad dressing or as a balsamic marinade for chicken that's delicious and moist.

14 of 20

Parsley-Lemon Vinaigrette

Parsley has a lovely grassy flavor--but feel free to use any herb, such as cilantro, rosemary, basil or dill, in this healthy salad dressing.

15 of 20

Charred Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette

Charred Lemon Vinaigrette in a jar — Jacob Fox

This charred lemon-garlic vinaigrette picks up a pleasant smoky flavor from the grill. The garlic cooks just enough to mellow its flavor, and maple syrup balances the acidity nicely.

16 of 20

Lemon-Mint Vinaigrette

The sunny fresh flavors of tart lemon and cool mint combine to make a lively dressing that adds sparkle to salads made with steamed vegetables, potatoes or grains, such as couscous.

17 of 20

Maple-Balsamic Vinaigrette

Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette in a small jar with a spoon — Christine Ma

Maple syrup adds a touch of sweetness to this balsamic vinaigrette. Toss with a salad of apples, Cheddar and spinach, or serve over hot or room-temperature asparagus.

18 of 20

Garlicky Pickle-Juice Vinaigrette

Angled view of a white bowl of Garlicky Pickle-Juice Vinaigrette recipe — Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman

Don't toss that pickle juice! The salty-sour brine is the backbone of this quick vinaigrette that pairs well with salad greens as well as steamed potatoes and carrots.

19 of 20

Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette

Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette

Orange juice and cilantro yield a tangy dressing that you'll want to have on hand.

20 of 20

Maple-Mustard Vinaigrette

Walnut oil is worth seeking out for this tasty dressing; store leftover oil in the refrigerator.

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