FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You’ll Love This Lemon Vinaigrette Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Lemon Vinaigrette
• Storage Instructions
• Ways To Use Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing
• More Salad Dressing Recipes
• Lemon Vinaigrette Recipe card
• Recipe Reviews

Lemon vinaigrette dressing is a classic staple that I think everyone should know how to make! You can easily buy it, but making your own at home tastes so much better and only takes a few minutes, so why not? And it’s not just for healthy salads … you’ll want to use this lemon vinaigrette recipe for everything from grilled chicken to grilled vegetables .

Why You’ll Love This Lemon Vinaigrette Recipe

• Fresh, zesty lemon flavor
• Lighter alternative to creamy dressings
• Just 5 simple ingredients (plus salt and pepper)
• Ready in 5 minutes
• Adds a refreshing twist to salads, meats, and more

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best lemon vinaigrette ingredients, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – You can use avocado oil as an alternative.
• Fresh Lemon Juice – Although you can use bottled lemon juice for convenience, I recommend freshly squeezed lemons for the best taste — it’s the star flavor of this recipe! If you like a lot of lemon flavor, add the lemon zest from the lemons as well.
• Dijon Mustard – Adds a tangy depth of flavor to the dressing, but you can try using whole grain mustard, or you can even omit it if you’re not a mustard fan.
• Italian Seasoning – Depending on the Italian seasoning blend ingredients, you may want to increase or decrease salt. I make my 5-minute homemade Italian seasoning , but store bought works as well. Mine does not contain salt, but some blends may include it, so adjust to taste. If you don’t want to use various herbs, you can use just dried basil, dried oregano, or dried thyme alone.
• Garlic Powder – Enhances the overall taste of this lemon salad dressing, but if you need, you can use 1/2 a clove of fresh minced garlic for a more intense garlic flavor, or even onion powder for a milder alternative.
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper – Kosher salt works fine as well instead of sea salt.

VARIATION: Make it sweet!

Add 1-2 teaspoons of honey (or even maple syrup) if you want some sweetness. (You can also use zero sugar honey , if you want a sugar-free salad dressing that’s still sweet.)

How To Make Lemon Vinaigrette

Making a simple lemon vinaigrette is super easy! In a small bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk together until emulsified. Adjust salt and pepper to taste if needed.

TIP: Mix it in a jar if you’ll be store it for later!

You can simply close the lid and shake until emulsified.

Storage Instructions

Keep the lemon vinaigrette dressing in a glass mason jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks.

Ways To Use Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing

This versatile dressing adds a bright and tangy touch to so many dishes. Try these ideas:

• Salads – I love pairing this lemon vinaigrette dressing recipe with a simple green salad, such as arugula salad . It’s also perfect for many other fresh veggie salads, like a crisp cucumber tomato salad , herby Israeli salad , or simple Greek salad .
• Vegetables – Drizzle this tangy dressing over grilled asparagus , grilled broccoli , or even grilled cauliflower steaks . You can also drizzle it over your favorite roasted veggies , either before or after roasting.
• Grilled Meats – Brush onto shrimp skewers or Mediterranean chicken kabobs , or use it to marinate grilled salmon .
• Pasta – Toss this lemon dressing with cooked pasta (or zucchini noodles ), cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, and fresh herbs for a light and flavorful pasta salad that’s perfect for picnics or potlucks.

More Salad Dressing Recipes

Keep real food in your dressings — you’ll taste the difference! If you liked this lemon vinaigrette dressing recipe, you’ll love these homemade options too:

Ranch Dressing

Caesar Dressing

Japanese Ginger Dressing

Poppy Seed Dressing

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 1/3 cup Extra virgin olive oil ▢
• 2 tbsp Lemon juice (preferably freshly squeezed) ▢
• 1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard ▢
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning ▢
• 1/4 tsp Garlic powder ▢
• 1/2 tsp Sea salt (to taste) ▢
• 1/8 tsp Black pepper (to taste) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk together until emulsified.
2. Adjust salt and pepper to taste if needed.
3. Use immediately or store in an airtight container for up to a week. Shake or whisk well again before serving.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 tablespoon

Makes 1/2 cup.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Lemon Vinaigrette Recipe

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

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The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Lemon Vinaigrette

Make this lemon vinaigrette dressing recipe with just 5 simple ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder & seasoning.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/lemon-vinaigrette/

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup Extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp Lemon juice (preferably freshly squeezed)
• 1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/4 tsp Garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp Sea salt (to taste)
• 1/8 tsp Black pepper (to taste)

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk together until emulsified.
2. Adjust salt and pepper to taste if needed.
3. Use immediately or store in an airtight container for up to a week. Shake or whisk well again before serving.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 tablespoon

Makes 1/2 cup.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)