Are you looking for a bright, tangy, and refreshing dressing that will enhance your salads, grain bowls, or roasted veggies? Then you are definitely going to love this Paleo and Vegan Lemon Citrus Vinaigrette recipe that hits the perfect balance of zest, sweetness, and savory notes. Want to know the best part of this Zesty Paleo Vegan Lemon Citrus Vinaigrette Recipe? You can prepare it in under 5 minutes, which means that it is absolutely time and effort-efficient and will soon become your favorite savory to help you uplift your mood and taste buds when you are feeling a little low.
The Zesty Paleo Vegan Lemon Citrus Vinaigrette Recipe gets ready in 5 minutes and requires minimal ingredients, all of which can be found in your own home very easily and at all times. Which means whenever you have a craving to eat something zesty, tangy, and delicious, you will be able to make it in your own home with convenience. Keep on reading to learn how to make Zesty Paleo Vegan Lemon Citrus Vinaigrette Recipe at home.
Why you would love the Vegan Lemon Citrus Vinaigrette Recipe
Not only is this one of the most famous cuisines out there in the world, it is also loved by people for who do not even have the zest to change their flavours quite as much. This Zesty Paleo Vegan Lemon Citrus Vinaigrette recipe is something you are going to love for the refreshing flavor it offers and its versatile qualities. It’s completely plant-based and paleo-friendly, made without dairy, refined sugars, or preservatives; just wholesome ingredients you can trust.
The bright citrus flavor from fresh lemon juice, zest, and a hint of orange brings a lively, tangy kick while also adding natural antioxidants and vitamin C. Best of all, it’s quick and easy to prepare. It’s ready in just 5 minutes with simple pantry staples and no special tools needed. You can drizzle it over roasted vegetables, toss it into grain bowls, or use it as a zesty marinade for many dishes.
Ingredients required to make Lemon Citrus Vinaigrette at home
There is a set of ingredients that you will require to make the Lemon Citrus Vinaigrette recipe at home. Keeping in mind that we are not going to add any preservatives or artificial sweeteners. Here is the list of ingredients you will need to make Lemon Citrus Vinaigrette recipe at home-
Ingredients You’ll Need
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 1–2 lemons)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (for extra zing)
- 2 tablespoons orange juice (optional, adds sweetness)
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil (or avocado oil for milder flavor)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (for creaminess and tang)
- 1–2 teaspoons maple syrup or raw honey (optional, balances acidity; skip honey for strict vegan)
- 1 small garlic clove, minced (optional, for a savory kick)
- Salt & black pepper to taste
How to make Vegan Lemon Citrus Vinaigrette (recipe)
- Juice & zest the citrus
- Wash and dry 1–2 lemons. Microplane 1 Tbsp zest (avoid the bitter white pith).
- Roll lemons on the counter, then juice to get ¼ cup fresh lemon juice; add 2 Tbsp orange juice if using.
- Tip: Always use fresh juice—bottled tastes flat and can dull the vinaigrette.
- Whisk or blend the base
- In a medium bowl, add: lemon juice, orange juice, 1 Tbsp Dijon, 1–2 tsp maple syrup or honey (skip honey for strict vegan), 1 small minced garlic clove, ¼–½ tsp salt, and a few grinds of pepper.
- Whisk until smooth (or pulse in a small blender). This combines the water-based ingredients so the oil emulsifies more easily.
- Emulsify with oil
- While whisking constantly, slowly drizzle in ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil until the dressing looks glossy and slightly thick.
- Mason-jar method: add all ingredients to a jar, oil last; seal and shake hard for 20–30 seconds.
- Pro tip: If the emulsion breaks, whisk in ½ tsp Dijon or 1 tsp water to bring it back.
- Taste & adjust
- Balance: add a touch more sweetener if it’s too sharp, another squeeze of lemon for extra zing, or a pinch more salt to make flavors pop.
- Texture tweak: for creamier body, whisk in 1 tsp tahini or ½ tsp mustard more.
- Final check: it should taste bright, lightly tangy, and rounded—not sour or oily.
How To Store The Vegan Lemon Citrus Vinaigrette
Another important question that comes into the mind of all those who love to make different delicacies is how they are supposed to store them? Well, if you’re going to make enough amount of Vegan Lemon Citrus Vinaigrette then its obvious that you might be wondering how can you store it. To keep your Lemon Citrus Vinaigrette fresh try storing it in a sealed glass jar or airtight container in the refrigerator. With this, you can assure that it stays safe for atleast 5-7 days…
One thing that you need to know about the lemon vinaigrette is that he olive oil and citrus tend to naturally separate over time, so you might see some settling at the bottom. But you need not worry since it is a natural process and is completely normal. Just give the jar a good shake or whisk before using to mix the ingredients again and restore that smooth, zesty texture. For the best results, let the vinaigrette sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving, since the oil may thicken slightly when chilled.
If you liked this recipe, then you might also want to read about how to make paleo Gochujang without sugar. You can also visit our page to learn how to cook many other paleo vegan recipes.
FAQs
What are the ingredients for lemon vinaigrette?
The key ingredients for a lemon vinaigrette are fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, Dijon mustard, a touch of sweetener (like maple syrup or honey), garlic (optional), and salt and pepper.
What are the three ingredients in a vinaigrette?
The three basic ingredients in a vinaigrette are oil, vinegar (or another acid like lemon juice), and seasonings
What are some common mistakes to avoid when making vinaigrette?
Common mistakes to avoid when making vinaigrette include using bottled lemon juice instead of fresh, adding oil too quickly (which prevents proper emulsification), overpowering the dressing with too much sweetener or garlic, and forgetting to taste and adjust seasoning before serving.
The Best Keto Banana Bread Recipe (Moist, Fluffy & Only 3g Net Carbs!)
Ingredients
- Almond flour – the base flour for softness and nutty flavor.
- Coconut flour – adds structure and balances moisture.
- Overripe banana just ½ a medium banana! – enough for flavor without excess carbs.
- Eggs – provide lift and fluffiness.
- Sugar-free sweetener – erythritol monk fruit, or allulose for the perfect sweetness.
- Butter or coconut oil – keeps the bread moist.
- Vanilla extract & cinnamon – warm flavors that elevate the banana bread.
- Baking powder – ensures a light fluffy texture.
Instructions
- Prep & Measure – ½ cup melted coconut oil, 1 cup almond (or cashew) milk, 2–3 tbsp maple syrup (or 2–3 pitted dates), 1 tsp vanilla, ½ tsp cinnamon (optional), pinch of sea salt. (Soak dates in hot water 5–10 min to soften.)
- Melt Coconut Oil – Warm gently in saucepan or microwave 10–15 sec; make liquid, not hot.
- Load Blender – Add milk + sweetener first, then vanilla/cinnamon/salt, coconut oil last.
- Blend – High speed 30–60 sec (dates: 60–90 sec, scrape sides once).
- Check & Adjust – Taste; add sweetener if needed, splash more milk if too rich, or extra vanilla/cinnamon for stronger flavor.
