Lime vinaigrette is a tangy, zesty, and versatile dressing that can be used on salads, vegetables, and more! It is made with simple ingredients that are easy to find, and it comes together quickly in just a few minutes.
Today, I want to bring you one of my all-time favorite dressings: lime vinaigrette.
It's bright, tangy, zesty, and incredibly versatile, making it the perfect addition to salad, or drizzled onto roasted veggies.
I love how zingy this dressing is! I've made it many many times over the years, tweaking each time.
Now that I've got the perfect balance of lime juice, Dijon, garlic, vinegar, and oil, I wanted to share it with you all!
Try it on this Mexican Quinoa Salad, drizzled onto Air Fryer Asparagus, or as a topping on these tasty Chickpea Tacos. For more salad ideas, try 28 Tasty Healthy Salad Recipes.
Looking for more dinner inspo? Find Vegetarian Recipes You'll Love!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Many store-bought dressings are packed with added sugars, preservatives, and unhealthy fats. By making your own Lime Vinaigrette, you can control the ingredients and make a healthier choice for you and your family.
- This vinaigrette dressing is the perfect complement to any salad or dish. It pairs well with leafy greens, grilled veggies, and even fruit salads.
- With just a handful of ingredients and a few minutes of your time, you can whip up a batch of this dressing in no time.
- Feel free to tweak the ingredients to suit your taste preferences. Add a little maple syrup or honey for a sweeter dressing, or add more garlic or Dijon mustard for a stronger kick of flavor.
- This Lime Vinaigrette can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to a week. This makes it the perfect addition to your weekly meal prep routine.
Ingredients
- Lime juice is the star of the show! It adds a zesty, bright flavor that pairs perfectly with greens and veggies.
- White wine vinegar adds a nice tanginess to the dressing, and helps to balance out the sweetness of the honey.
- Dijon mustard helps to emulsify the dressing and adds a depth of flavor.
- Garlic adds a subtle kick of flavor that helps to bring everything together.
- Oregano adds an earthy, herbal flavor that pairs well with the lime.
- Salt and pepper help to bring out all of the flavors in the dressing.
- Olive oil: Use a good quality olive oil for the best flavor.
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Follow this step-by-step photo tutorial, then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and method.
Like most dressings, this lime vinaigrette is a super easy recipe! You can put it together in just a few minutes.
Whisk the vinegar, mustard, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl.
Slowly stream in the olive oil, whisking continuously, combined. Whisk in the lime juice.
Substitutions
- White wine vinegar: You can substitute apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar for white wine vinegar. Keep in mind that these vinegars will give the dressing a slightly different flavor.
- Dijon mustard: You can substitute whole grain mustard, yellow mustard, or spicy brown mustard for the Dijon mustard. Again, keep in mind that this will change the flavor of the dressing.
- Garlic: If you don't have fresh garlic on hand, you can use garlic powder or minced shallots instead.
- Oregano: You can substitute dried basil, thyme, or parsley for the oregano. You can also use fresh herbs if you have them on hand.
- Olive oil: You can substitute other types of oil, such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or grapeseed oil, for olive oil. Keep in mind that this will change the flavor of the dressing.
- Lime juice: You can substitute lemon juice, or orange juice for the lime juice. You can also use other types of citrus, such as grapefruit or blood orange, for a more unique flavor. You can use fresh or bottled pure lime juice.
Ways to use Lime Vinaigrette
- Toss it with your favorite salad greens.
- Drizzle it over grilled or roasted vegetables.
- Spoon it onto baked tofu.
- Use it as a dipping sauce for chips or vegetables.
- As a salad dressing is the most obvious use for Lime Vinaigrette. Drizzle it over your favorite greens and veggies for a zesty and flavorful salad.
- As a marinade. Simply pour the dressing over your protein of choice and let it marinate for at least an hour (or overnight) before cooking.
- Mix it with some Greek yogurt or sour cream for a tangy and creamy dip. Serve it with veggies, pita chips etc...
- Toss roasted vegetables with Lime Vinaigrette for a delicious and flavorful side dish.
- Use Lime Vinaigrette as a topping for tacos or burrito bowls.
- Mix Lime Vinaigrette with some honey or maple syrup for a sweet and tangy dressing that goes great with fruit salads.
- Drizzle your dressing over a bowl of quinoa, brown rice, or other grains for a flavorful and healthy meal.
- Use is as a tasty and zesty dressing for pasta salads. It pairs well with all kinds of pasta, from penne to fusilli.
Storage
- Store your vinaigrette in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should keep for up to a week.
- The oil and vinegar may separate over time, so make sure to shake the container well before using the dressing.
Top tips
- Use a good quality oil and vinegar: Since vinaigrette is made with only a few simple ingredients, it's important to use high-quality oil and vinegar to ensure the best flavor.
- Emulsify the dressing: To ensure that your vinaigrette doesn't separate, it's important to emulsify the ingredients together. This is done by whisking or shaking the ingredients vigorously until they're fully combined.
- Add ingredients slowly: When making vinaigrette, it's important to add the oil to the vinegar slowly while whisking or shaking. This helps to create a smooth and creamy emulsion.
- Taste as you go: It's important to taste your vinaigrette as you're making it to ensure that it has the right balance of flavors. Adjust the seasoning as needed to achieve the desired taste.
Salad Recipes
If you're looking for some salad recipes to try out your dressing, be sure to check these out!
FAQ
Vinaigrette is a simple dressing made by whisking together oil, vinegar, and seasonings.
Yes, you can use a variety of oils in vinaigrette, including olive oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, and grapeseed oil.
Store your vinaigrette in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should keep for up to a week. The oil and vinegar may separate over time, so make sure to shake the container well before using the dressing.
Yes, you can make vinaigrette ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it. Just be sure to shake or whisk the vinaigrette well before using it, as the oil and vinegar may separate over time.
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📖 Recipe
Lime Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- ¼ cup white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon each salt and freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Instructions
- Whisk the vinegar, mustard, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl.
- Slowly stream in the olive oil, whisking continuously, combined.
- Whisk in the lime juice.
Notes
- Use a good quality oil and vinegar: Since vinaigrette is made with only a few simple ingredients, it's important to use high-quality oil and vinegar to ensure the best flavor.
- Emulsify the dressing: To ensure that your vinaigrette doesn't separate, it's important to emulsify the ingredients together. This is done by whisking or shaking the ingredients vigorously until they're fully combined.
- Add ingredients slowly: When making vinaigrette, it's important to add the oil to the vinegar slowly while whisking or shaking. This helps to create a smooth and creamy emulsion.
- Taste as you go: It's important to taste your vinaigrette as you're making it to ensure that it has the right balance of flavors. Adjust the seasoning as needed to achieve the desired taste.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
Elizabeth
I'm always looking for new salad dressing recipes and this one looks delicious! The addition of the Dijon mustard gives it a nice spicy flavor.
Kathleen
I love homemade dressings like this fantastic lime vinaigrette. They just make salads brighter and flavorful.
diane
This is what I am looking for! Added chopped fresh herbs, cause I have them, so good!
Quynh
I made this for lunch and it was so tasty. I poured it over my salad and roast vegetables. YUM!
Angela
Love using lime juice in dressing! This is so tangy and delicious, perfect for the summer!