Simple Garlic Lemon Mustard Vinaigrette
Simple Garlic Lemon Mustard Vinaigrette is the kind of dressing that will make simple Romaine lettuce sparkle with flavor and taste! It’s easy!
Garlicky Vinaigrette
The origination of this recipe comes from my dear French girlfriend who lives in Colorado. She’s taught me how to make her mother’s recipe, and I’ve adjusted a little just to make it a tad bit easier. But, essentially and for all practical purposes, this recipe is credited to a talented French chef, Marie Christine!
Garlic is good for you. Forget the aroma. Let’s look at the health benefits!
According to Everyday Health:
- Garlic May Help Lower Blood Pressure.
- Garlic May Help Quell Inflammation.
- Garlic May Help Lower Cholesterol.
- Garlic May Support Immune Function.
- Garlic May Reduce Blood Clotting.
- Garlic Provides a Host of Antioxidants
Salad Dressing with Mustard
Yes, pretty impressive and powerful health benefits. And, while the word ‘may’ is used, hey, it’s worth eating just to know you ‘may’ be receiving these benefits.
Now let’s talk mustard. Not just regular mustard. I’m talking a really good quality spicy stone ground mustard. It’s going to be so worth splurging on this ingredient because you’ll keep it under lock and key and use only for this dressing or special recipes.
Bottom line with this recipe for Simple Garlic Lemon Mustard Vinaigrette, don’t cut corners with the stone ground mustard.
Mustard Vinaigrette
I have pricey ingredients that I use only for certain things. It’s not everyday fare. When you use it, you know you’re making something extraordinarily special. Here’s my absolute mustard of choice for this recipe!
Lemon Garlic Dressing
But, if you’re looking for other options for the stone ground mustard, then here are options that will certainly work!
Salad with Garlic Dressing
Another thing about this dressing and the salad. It’s really best if you use a wooden bowl. Yes, you can do in a glass, ceramic, pottery, etc. bowl, and I’ve certainly done that. However, if you don’t have a wooden salad bowl, then consider investing in one to add to your kitchen serving pieces.
Salads have been made and served in wooden bowls for a long time. It’s important to care for your wooden bowl precisely to have it last a lifetime.
Best Wooden Salad Bowl
If you’re up to investing a little more into your wooden salad bowl, then here are some of my favorites. These are the kinds of serving pieces that you put in you will to give to future generations!
Salad Dressing with Lemon
There will be two ways to smash your garlic cloves after they’re peeled. The quickest way is to put them in the food processor with the olive oil and pulse a few times until you have it chopped up. Then transfer to the bowl and use a large fork or the back of a large spoon and do a little more smashing of the garlic pieces.
The second way is to smash your garlic cloves. Put in the bowl with about half of the olive oil and begin mashing and smashing more until you have more of a pasty consistency.
I’ve done it both ways depending upon whether I want to clean up the food processor. And, both ways work.
Garlic Lemon Vinaigrette
You’re going to have small bits and pieces of the garlic in the vinaigrette. That’s just the texture of this recipe.
Mixing it with chopped Romaine lettuce is the best way to showcase the vinaigrette. Sometimes I also add some sliced celery for more crunch and freshness. This is a salad that goes with just about anything that you might prepare.
And, if you want this salad to be the entrée, then just add your protein, maybe some grilled chicken or shrimp!
Simple Garlic Lemon Mustard Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 5 garlic cloves, peeled, whole
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tbl. stone ground mustard
- 1 Tbl. honey
- ½ large lemon, juice
- ½ tsp. sea salt
- ½ tsp. coarse ground pepper
- 6-8 cups Romaine lettuce, packed, fine chop
- OPTIONAL:
- Parmesan cheese
- Celery slices in salad
Instructions
Put the garlic cloves and olive oil in a food processor and pulse to chop up finely the garlic.
Transfer to a wooden salad bowl (preferably).
Add the mustard, honey, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Whisk very well until all is incorporated, then take a rubber spatula and smooth slather around about halfway up the sides.
Let the dressing sit for about 10 minutes.
Add the chopped Romaine and toss well in the vinaigrette. Serve immediately.
I can’t see what mustard to use!
Hi, Diane! Here’s my fave stone ground. Perfect for so many things! xoxx ally
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001BH5YM?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzalicephi-20&creativeASIN=B0001BH5YM&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.3BX4HMP1SHK4W&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_d_asin
Hi Ally! I bought the special French mustard and the other ingredients to make your salad. We are grilling ribeyes tonight and I can’t wait to serve your special Romaine salad for dinner. I know my husband will love it and I will too, since I love garlic. I always love the salads in France and I feel like yours will remind me of them. Love watching you prepare scrumptious dishes!
Jan!! I’m so excited for y’all! Wish I was there…sounds ahhhhhmazing! This is the perfect salad with grilled ribeye! Yes, this is authentic French salad from my dear girlfriend who’s French. And, if you want to try something else utterly French, then check out the Coq au Vin! https://allyskitchen.com/chicken-coq-au-vin/ Please let me know how your husband liked! And, that mustard, well, it’s the best ever!! xox ally
Ally my husband and I both LOVED your delicious dressing! In fact my husband had me make another batch when we used up the first jar. It is now our favorite of all time! Thank you again for the recipe!
❤️Jan
Jan! I could just squeeze through this screen and hug you both!! THANK YOU! It’s so great to find something that’s simple, fresh, refreshing and so very versatile. I use on grilled veggies and even with other types of greens, like cabbages! Thank you for being so supportive! And, don’t be a stranger. Keep snooping around the kitchen! xoxx ally
This dressing. I don’t have a wooden bowl, but I did make sure to buy the mustard suggested. We made a salad with romaine, combers, and sourdough croutons. However, these ingredients elevated simple Summer salad to something exquisite. My husband was so impressed. He said I don’t even like mustard. Thank you for helping me learn this next level dressing recipe that I know I’ll be making for years to come.
Jamie! This is the most special and beautiful comment! THANK YOU! And, please give your husband a big Mama Ally hug! I love your combo of romaine, cucumbers and sourdough croutons. So simple yet exquisitely divine! I try to make this dressing and store in a Ball jar for use on roasting veggies, too. So so versatile! Thank you! xoxx ally
Hi Ally, I found a gorgeous wooden pedestal bowl just now and purchased all my ingredients for your lemon garlic vinaigrette dressing and honestly I cannot wait until I get home to start prepping for tonight’s dinner! I will add pictures to my salad finale and send them to you♥️
You’re so much fun to cook with as always!
Enjoy this beautiful day Ally, hello to POPS & family.
Your buddy from Upstate NY and WVU Pride Band Alumni member Mom
💙💛💙💛
Sue Neel
Sue Sue Sue!!! I can’t wait to see your bowl!! And, I know the salad will be stupendous!! I sure hope you have several people over b/c it makes a lot. Of course, it’s even good the next day, even if the romaine is a tad bit wilted! Oh, I LOVE LOVE seeing and hearing from you. You’ve made my day, luv! Sending love from hot and humid SC!! You great admirer from WV! xoxx ally
I am absolutely a garlic fan and cannot wait to try the dressing and salad. I have been watching you with your visit to Bobby👍 My question is of all the wooden bowls you recommend on Amazon, which one is your absolute favorite? I would like a very large one because I entertain often. Thank you for your time and all of your wonderful healthy but tasty recipes 😘
Hi, Whitney! Oh, then you’ll LOVE this recipe! You can certainly throw in a couple of more garlic cloves! Here’s the link to my wooden serving pieces where you’ll see several of the bowls that I’ve curated. I like the bowls that are at least 10″+ diameter. You can use to make my Dead Sea Granola as well as salads! Wood serving pieces are investments. They age over time and are more beautiful the more you use them. They’re durable and versatile. I must say this is my ‘absolute favorite’ from those here at my Amazon Storefront! xoxo ally
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001P5HQG0/?th=1
That dressing is absolutely fabulous and extremely easy to make!! . Always nice to change up a mixed green salad. It’s truly my go to salad dressing!
Toby! Thank you! Yes, this is a great go to dressing. I actually make it and store in a jar (refrigerate). It can be used for lots of things where you want to pack on some unique flavors! Thanks so very much for stopping! xoxx ally
Oh my! This salad dressing and salad is so so delish. Doubled it to have for the rest of the week. Added the celery and freshly grated parm. Thank you for the fabulous recipe. Also ordered the French mustard, yum. Looking forward to trying so many of your recipes thank you again 😘
Whitney!!!! I’m so excited you’re here! And, you’re super smart doubling up and having for the week! Hey, I even love this salad when wilted! You’ll get a lot of mileage out of the mustard. It’s a cut above and well worth saving for special things! xoxx ally
Mama Ally!!!!!!! Love you! Found you thru Bobby, Desi and Rose and couldn’t be happier! I ordered the mustard and one of those gorgeous wooden salad bowls and made this last night for dinner. Added shrimp to the salad and along side grilled Arctic Char Filets……divine! Tonight I am making the salad again and throwing in the leftover salmon! LOVE this so much! TnALoveForever
Teresa!!!! OMG! You’ve made my week, luv!! What an awesome comment! Thank you sooooooo much for all your support and enthusiasm. And, I love the shrimp and artic char filets! So delicious! Yes, salmon leftovers will be fabulous. You’re a creative cook…I can already tell. And, I’m so looking forward to seeing more you you, angel!! Sending lots of love, hugs, smiles and smooches!! xoxx ~Mama Ally
Wow this dressing was AMAZING! My boyfriend doesn’t salad very often and he ate a whole plate and wanted more! Will be making in the future. Thanks for the wonderful recipe!
Breanne!! You’ve made my day, luv! Thank you thank you for taking time to let me know! And, give your boyfriend a big squeeze from Mama Ally!! Don’t be a stranger xoxx ~ally
I so enjoyed watching all of you have fun and your beautiful Colorado home. I’ve never seen anything so pretty by a river like that! You guys all are so great and I’m so glad he introduced me to your page!
And, I’m SOOOOO glad you’re here, Tricia! Thank you for following our shenanigans! I can say that we did a LOT of cooking, laughing, creating and just making huge messes in the kitchen! Don’t be a stranger! xoxx ~ally
Oh gosh Ally I have a new friend to follow….ive been following Bobby and Desi for awhile now and now I have another new friend thanks so much for the salad dressing recipe.
Bernadette!! And, I have NEW wonderful friend, YOU, to follow! Thank you! You’re the kindest! Don’t be a stranger and sure hope to share inspiration xoxx ~ally
Made this today and I couldn’t wait for supper. I had to have some for lunch as well. (I always do my prep and chopping around lunchtime because of the heat in my kitchen in the evening. Here in North Ga it’s still 92 today. But, I so love the dressing. I don’t have a wooden bowl but I have placed an order on Amazon for one along with Bobby’s one handed can opener. I can’t work my hands very well and can’t hold up a large can to my electric one any longer. I’m slowly getting more kit accessories. It’s like a toolbox in the garage full of tools to have more stuff to make like better in the kitchen. Keep the kitchen tips coming.
Deena! So great to meet you, and, thank you for making this recipe! It’s a perfect dressing for a lot of things including meats and grilling! I live in SC, too, and I know that afternoon heat and humidity. So smart cooking early. And, I’ll sure try to find more kitchen gadgets and accessories that make our lives easier. I’m always looking for ways to save time and save my joints (as in hands, fingers, etc. ha ha!). Don’t be a stranger! xoxx ~ally
I made your lovely dressing last night for dinner for my family. It was a big hit. I loved how the garlic bits taste sweet compared to the rest of the ingredients. Thank you again fir sharing the recipe and letting us peep in while you cooked with Bobbi and Desi. What a wonderful treat.
Traci! Thank YOU for taking the time to share w/me! I do love the bits of garlic, too, and the little bit of maple syrup takes that edge off the garlic. So happy you could follow our shenanigans…Bobby/Dessi are incredible! I’m so blessed to have them all in my life. And, we’ll be doing more this winter, so stay connected! Sending lots of gratitude xoxxo ~ally
Made this dressing tonight. I didn’t have Romain so used spring mix. I will never buy bottled dressing again.
Barbara, luv!! May I quote you? Thank you so much. Yes, this dressing can be made in advance and refrigerated, too. Keep some on hand. You’re awesome! Also try different greens with it, too. I love the crunch of Romaine and iceberg then throw in a little radicchio, oh, yes!! xoxx ally
How long will this dressing last in the fridge? I will be only make a single salad serving with the romaine.
Hi, Claire! Thanks for making it, and, I think you’re good with about 7 to 10 days. Maybe longer. It’s got so much acid in it from the lemon and mustard that it’s almost a ‘natural’ preservative! Don’t be a stranger! So glad you’re here!! xoxx ~ally
Thank you so much for this wonderful recipe and the links for the products you recommend! Happy cooking!
Coleen! Thank YOU for stopping by (and, don’t be a stranger!)…hope you’ll love this fabulous dressing as much as we do. I also use it on roasted veggies and meats! xoxx ~ally
Going to try it right away! Sounds so delicious
Oh, Regina! Thank you! It’s a multi-use vinaigrette! I use it on roasted veggies, meats and other things, too. Double the recipe and refrigerate what you don’t use. It’s gonna be a great ‘go to’! xoxx ~ally
So simple and looks delicious. I am making this for dinner tomorrow.
Can you please share where you purchase your salad wooden bowl from and what size is it? Thank you
Hi, Saka! Yes, you hit the nail on the head. Simple and delicious! Surely makes greens even more delicious! I found this bowl at a thrift store! Imagine that! It’s super heavy. Honestly, it must weight 8 pounds! The diameter is 15″ and it’s about 6-7″ deep. I used three Romaines and 4 stalks of celery/leaves and tossed in this recipe. There were 6 of us, and one leeeeetle bowl of salad was leftover, which I refrigerated and am eating today! I hate to throw out good food. And, this salad still has some crunch even after refrigerated overnight! xoxx ~ally