Love citrus? Then this zesty Citronette dressing is for you! Pair this sunny lemon vinaigrette with all your favorite salads, drizzle it over veggies, and more. It's super easy to make and so delicious!
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Ginnie's Take
I love a classic vinaigrette dressing. The tangy flavor is perfect for perking up even the simplest salads. Vinaigrettes are typically made with vinegar (hence the name). You can use citrus juice instead of vinegar though, and when you do, you get Citronette! This lovely lemon dressing has a wonderful, zesty flavor, and it's become a favorite of mine. And I just know you're going to love it, too!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Bright, Sunny Flavor - You won't be able to resist this dressing's tangy lemon flavor! It will brighten up any salad, no matter how basic.
- Easy to Make - Simply combine a few ingredients in a jar, then shake them together. Your homemade lemon vinaigrette will be ready to enjoy in minutes.
- Versatile - Use this dressing on salads, drizzle it over cooked veggies, mix it with grains, and so much more! You'll find lots of ideas below.
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Ingredients
This sunny salad dressing uses basic, easy to find ingredients! Here's what you'll need:
- Lemon - You'll need a couple fresh lemons. When purchasing lemons, give them a gentle squeeze. The juiciest ones will have a little give (avoid the rock hard ones, if you can).
- Olive Oil - Extra virgin olive oil works best. It gives the dressing a creamy texture and well-rounded flavor.
- Mustard - A little Dijon mustards adds a tangy taste that pairs perfectly with the lemon. I used Grey Poupon, but Maille and Edmond Fallot are also great options.
- Shallots - The mild, sweet taste of fresh shallots adds a little complexity to the sauce.
- Maple Syrup - This dressing isn't sweet, but it does have a little maple syrup, which helps balance out the sharper flavors.
- Salt + Pepper - Use kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper for the best results.
This recipe is naturally vegetarian, vegan, dairy free, nut free, and gluten free, so everyone at your table can enjoy it!
You'll Also Need
You'll need measuring cups and spoons, a sharp knife to dice the shallot, and a juicer for the lemon. Shake the dressing together in a mason jar (my favorite method), or combine them in a small bowl using a whisk.
How To Make Citronette Dressing
This homemade lemon dressing couldn't be easier to make! You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's a quick overview of the steps:
- Prep ingredients. Start by finely dicing your shallot and juicing your lemons.
- Combine ingredients. Add the shallot, lemon juice, olive oil, mustard, maple syrup, salt, and pepper to a mason jar (or any jar with a lid).
- Shake everything together. Cover your jar, then shake the dressing until it has emulsified. It should look creamy and thick when you're done. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
Wasn't that easy? This Citronette recipe is so simple and so delicious. Make a big batch on on Monday, then enjoy it all week long!
Variations
Feeling like experimenting? Here are some easy ideas to try:
- Citrus - Replace the lemon juice with other citrus juices, such as lime, orange, or grapefruit, or use a combination.
- Herbs - Mix in fresh herbs (minced), like as basil or tarragon, for a scrumptious herbal flavor.
- Shallots - The shallots add a great taste, however you can skip them if you prefer.
- Mustard - Try other high-quality mustards, such as whole grain mustard, course grain mustard, or tarragon mustard.
- Garlic - Give the dressing a bolder flavor by adding a minced garlic clove.
- Honey - Swap out the maple syrup for honey.
Serving Suggestions
This simple citrus dressing is super versatile! Here are some ideas for using it:
- Salads - Of course, it's perfect for tossing with your fave salads! I used it for this Roasted Pumpkin Quinoa Salad (shown below), but it would be lovely paired with these Green Salad, Butter Lettuce Salad, or this Arugula Quinoa Salad, too.
- Veggies - Drizzle over steamed, sautéed, grilled, or roasted vegetables. Or mix it with potatoes to make a simple Mayo Free Potato Salad.
- Pasta - Toss it with pasta and veggies to make a flavorful pasta salad. It would be lovely paired with this Four Ingredient Pasta Salad or this Italian Pasta Salad.
- Sandwiches - Use as a sauce on sandwiches, such as subs, or drizzle over open faced sandwiches, like this Tomato Toast.
- Grains - Mix with rice, quinoa, couscous, and other grains for a flavor boost. Serve as an easy side dish, or top the grains with vegetables to make a veggie grain bowl.
Storage
Store leftover Citronette in your refrigerator for up to four days. The dressing will separate as it sits, so make sure to give it another shake (or whisk) before using.
Related Recipes
If you loved this vinaigrette, try my Lemon Olive Oil Dressing and my Honey Lemon Salad Dressing next. They're simplified versions of this recipe, and they're both are very popular with my readers! And check out these other dressing recipes, too:
- Classic - This Red Wine Vinaigrette and this French Vinaigrette are classics for a reason: they're so tasty, plus super versatile!
- Creamy - My Sour Cream Salad Dressing is light, creamy, and absolutely irresistible.
- Hint of Sweetness - If you like your dressing a little sweet, this Maple Salad Dressing, Vegan Honey Mustard Dressing, and this Pumpkin Seed Salad Dressing are for you!
- Unique - Give a simple salad a boost with this creamy Tahini Dressing or this herby Pesto Salad Dressing.
P.S. You can find all my Salad Recipes here!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Citronette is a type of vinaigrette dressing that's made with lemon juice (or other citrus juice) instead of vinegar. The name is a combination of citron (French for lemon) and vinaigrette.
Cintronette and vinaigrette have very similar ingredients. However, citronette is made with lemon juice (or another citrus juice), while vinaigrette is made with vinegar.
Yes, you can use lime instead lemon in citronette. Just keep in mind it has a different flavor, so you may need to zhuzh the other ingredients slightly (to taste). Try other citrus juices (like orange or grapefruit) too, or use a combination.
Citronette
Ingredients
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 juicy lemons)
- ¼ cup finely diced shallots
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Equipment
- Mason Jar (or Small Bowl)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a mason jar (or small bowl).
- Cover the jar with a lid, then shake until the dressing is emulsified. It should look thickened and creamy when done. (If using a bowl, whisk ingredients together.)
- Taste dressing, then season with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
- Serve dressing immediately, or store in your refrigerator until ready to use. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
