This citrus vinaigrette recipe combines fresh orange juice, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and olive oil for a bright, tangy homemade salad dressing that’s perfect for green salads, fruit salads, grilled chicken, and seafood.
Mindy’s Recipe Snapshot
- Method: Add the ingredients to a jar and shake until combined.
- Key Ingredients: Fresh orange juice, lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, shallot, and maple syrup.
- Ease: Ready in about 5 minutes with no cooking required.
- Top Tip: Zest the orange before juicing it.
Jump to:
Ingredients
See recipe card for exact amounts.
What Is Citrus Vinaigrette?
A citrus vinaigrette is a homemade salad dressing made with citrus juice, oil, and seasonings. Orange juice and lemon juice provide bright flavor while Dijon mustard helps the dressing stay blended.
Ingredient Notes
- Orange Juice: Fresh orange juice gives the dressing its bright citrus flavor.
- Orange Zest: The zest has essential oils that take this citrus vinaigrette to the next level.
- Lemon Juice: We use fresh lemon juice.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil adds richness and helps create a smooth dressing. Canola or vegetable oil can also be used.
- Shallot: Adds a mild onion flavor.
- Maple Syrup: A natural sweetener.
- Mustard: Dijon mustard or grainy brown mustard adds flavor and helps emulsify the dressing.
- Salt & Pepper: Just a little bit of each to give this homemade dressing a little more flavor.
Tips for Making Citrus Vinaigrette
- Zest the orange before you cut it and juice it.
- It takes about 3 medium oranges to get ⅔ cup of orange juice.
- It takes about 2 medium lemons to get 6 tablespoons of lemon juice.
Substitutions & Additions
- Oil: Olive oil gives the best flavor, but avocado, canola, or vegetable oil can also be used.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds flavor and helps emulsify the dressing. If needed, substitute 1 to 2 teaspoons of white wine vinegar, rice vinegar, or apple cider vinegar.
- Shallot: A small amount of sweet onion can be used instead.
- Orange and Lemon Juice: Fresh juice provides the best flavor, but bottled juice can be used in a pinch.
- Citrus Zest: Try adding lemon zest along with the orange zest for even more citrus flavor.
What To Serve With Citrus Vinaigrette
- Mixed green salads
- Spinach salads
- Strawberry salads
- Grilled chicken
- Grilled shrimp
- Salmon
- Roasted vegetables
- Grain bowls
- Brussels Sprouts Salad
Storage
Store citrus vinaigrette in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Shake well before serving.
FAQs
Citrus vinaigrette is made with fresh orange juice, lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, shallot, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. The citrus juices give it a bright, tangy flavor while the olive oil creates a smooth dressing.
Yes. Citrus vinaigrette can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Shake or whisk well before serving, as the ingredients may separate during storage.
When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, citrus vinaigrette will stay fresh for up to 3 days. Because it contains fresh citrus juice and shallot, it is best enjoyed within a few days for the freshest flavor.
Citrus vinaigrette pairs well with mixed green salads, spinach salads, strawberry salads, and salads with feta cheese, goat cheese, nuts, or fresh fruit. It is also delicious drizzled over grilled chicken, fish, shrimp, or roasted vegetables.
Try These Homemade Salad Dressings Next
Love this recipe?
Leave a comment and a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below!
Citrus Vinaigrette Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup olive oil
- ⅔ cup orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 6 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 shallot, minced about 2 tablespoons
- 4 teaspoons maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ⅛ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Put all ingredients into a mason jar, cover and shake until well blended, or whisk in a bowl until combined.
- Serve over your favorite salad or use as a marinade for chicken or fish.
How much zest do you use?
Hi Cherie, I missed putting that in the ingredients, it is 1 tsp. Thanks for pointing that out!
All I can taste is oil. Proportions are not allowing to taste anything else
That’s a bummer. There are many 5 star reviews on this recipe, perhaps your citrus fruits weren’t as flavorful as ours, or maybe your oil is stronger?