Mediterranean Salad Dressing

This delicious Mediterranean Salad Dressing is versatile, bright, tangy, and perfectly smooth. It’s inspired by Italian Salads and Greek recipes. But you can also drizzle it over freshly cooked meat and fish or use it to marinate veggies. Anything goes!

Did this Mediterranean Salad Dressing tickle your taste buds? Try this Turmeric Tahini Dressing!

Why You’ll Love It

This Mediterranean salad dressing is inspired by Greek and Italian recipes, where the combination of citrusy goodness from freshly squeezed lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil is a must.

What makes this dressing extra special is another one of my favorite Greek ingredients that counterbalances the sharp, citrusy flavors: a touch of honey. 

Although honey isn’t 100% traditional, I promise you’ll love it.

Plus, this tasty drizzle comes together in minutes and stores incredibly well in the fridge. 

If you try it, you won’t go back to store bough dressing any time soon!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Freshly squeezed lemon juice: For a signature, citrusy zing!
• Extra virgin olive oil: Make sure to use quality extra virgin olive oil, as this will make or break your dressing. I prefer light and fruity olive oil instead of peppery ones, but it’s up to your taste.
• Sea salt: Make sure to adjust the quantity to your taste.
• Honey: For a light sweetness that counteracts the lemon juice. You can omit it, if you prefer a more traditional dressing.
• Dried oregano: This is optional, but it adds a great floral undertone. Be sure to crush it between your fingers before adding it to the dressing. It seriously intensifies the flavor!

How to Make Mediterranean Salad Dressing

Step-by-step overview. Full ingredients and instructions are in the recipe card below.

Combine the main ingredients: In a small bowl or jar, combine the lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, salt, honey, and dried oregano (photo 1).

Get whisking: Whisk or shake the ingredients thoroughly until the dressing is emulsified and the salt is dissolved. Make sure everything is fully incorporated (photo 2)!

Store and enjoy: Use the dressing immediately or store it in the fridge in a jar or glass bottle.

Variations

• Use red wine vinegar: Red wine vinegar dials up the acidity and is a standard ingredient in most Mediterranean salad dressings. Use this if you want to bring down the sweetness of this recipe with some extra tang.
• Add one garlic clove: Garlic gives this dressing a slightly more intense aroma and a deeper, savory flavor.
• Add more herbs: There’s no need to stop with oregano. Throw in dried basil, thyme, rosemary, or a handful of mixed herbs for even more freshness!
• Use maple syrup: If you’re vegan, using maple syrup is an excellent substitute for honey. I find honey slightly sweeter, so prepare for a richer, caramel-like flavor if you swap for this!
• Add Dijon mustard: It gives the dressing a touch of spice and sharpness.

Serving Suggestions

Salad dressing: Use this on everything from a simple lettuce salad to a Mediterranean quinoa salad! The deep, citrusy flavor is delicious but won’t overwhelm your dish. So, it’s suitable for almost any salad you choose! It works particularly well with tomato-based salads with tasty feta.

Sauce: I adore this Mediterranean salad dressing over freshly grilled fish (sardines or salmon!), chicken, or roasted veggies. It adds incredible flavor and moisture that you can’t beat.

Marinade: If you have more time, combine this Mediterranean salad dressing with meat, fish or vegetables to infuse them with flavor. The dressing should seep into whatever you’re marinating, giving it a fantastic lemony boost. Plus, the olive oil will ensure it doesn’t dry out in the oven or grill!

How to Store

In the fridge: You can store this dressing in an airtight container or a sealed mason jar for up to a week. Before serving, give everything a quick whisk. The ingredients will probably have separated slightly, so ensure everything is fully incorporated. I don’t recommend freezing your dressing, though!

If you try this Mediterranean salad dressing recipe, please leave a comment and a rating and let me know how much you liked it!

Did you make this recipe? Tag @gatheringdreams on Instagram. I want to see it!