Lemon Parmesan Dressing
This lemon parmesan dressing is a simple and flavorful salad dressing that can elevate any salad or dish.
This zesty dressing combines the fresh taste of lemon with the rich, savory notes of parmesan cheese, creating a perfect salad dressing that goes great on everything.
In this post, you’ll learn how to make this delicious dressing at home. You’ll also get some ideas for ways to enjoy it.
Dress up your salads and favorite dishes with this vibrant dressing that will brighten up every bite and make everything oh so tasty!
Why you’ll love this lemon parmesan dressing
Having a great go to dressing makes eating a salad and getting your daily intake of leafy greens and veggies so much easier. Here’s why you’ll love this recipe:
Bright and delicious: This recipe combines the bright acidity of fresh lemon juice with the rich umami flavor of parmesan cheese, creating a zesty and tasty salad dressing that is so good.
Easy: With only a handful of simple ingredients and a jar with a lid, you can make this go to salad dressing. No food processor required to emulsify the oil and lemon juice!
Skip the additives: Unlike store bought dressings and condiments, making your own dressing at home lets you skip out on all the less than desirable additives and preservatives.
Ingredients
This recipe features a base of olive oil that’s balanced with the acidity of lemon juice and then the flavor is deepened with the saltiness of grated Parmesan.
Exact measurement will be given further down, but here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:
- Olive oil – Because the oil is an integral part of the recipe, be sure to use a good quality olive oil that you really like the taste of. If you find olive oil too bitter, try a more neutral oil like avocado oil.
- Lemon juice – Gives necessary acidity to the dressing, making it pop.
- Parmesan – Freshly grating a wedge of parmesan will give the best flavor to the recipe.
- Mustard – Dijon is the mustard of choice for this dressing. Not only does dijon add great flavor, but it also helps the dressing emulsify and thicken.
- Garlic – A couple of minced cloves (I used my garlic press) adds a good amount of flavor.
- Pepper – If you can, use freshly ground pepper for the best flavor.
- Salt – The Dijon mustard and parmesan provide salt already to the dressing, but I found that adding a little bit more salt helped round out the flavor.
How to make lemon parmesan dressing
Once you have all the ingredients gathered together, the dressing comes together super quickly and easily.
This is all you need to do:
- Prep. Grate the parmesan, juice the lemon, and crack the pepper. Gather all the other ingredients needed.
- Place in a jar. Place the proper amounts of olive oil, lemon juice, parmesan, dijon mustard, garlic, pepper, and salt into a jar with a lid.
- Shake vigorously. Place the lid tightly on the jar then shake the jar vigorously until everything is combined. Taste for salt and add more if needed.
- Enjoy! Pour your homemade dressing on salads, vegetables, roasted potatoes, or anything that needs a pop of flavor!
Tips
While this is incredibly easy to make, there are a few things to keep in mind and be aware of while making and enjoying this lemon parmesan dressing:
- Use an oil you really like the taste of. The oil is a major part of this recipe, so you should use an olive oil that tastes delicious. Some olive oils can be quite bitter. The acid of the lemon juice can help with the bitterness, but if you want to avoid the possibility of a bitter salad dressing altogether, avoid using a bitter oil in the first place. Avocado oil is a great neutral alternative to olive oil.
- Use a garlic press to easily prep the garlic. Mincing garlic can be tedious and time consuming. A garlic press is a great way to quickly get some minced garlic prepped.
- Grate the parmesan finely. You’ll want to use the fine holes on your cheese grater to grate the parmesan. Finely grated cheese will combine into the dressing better than largely grated cheese.
- Microwave after refrigeration. The dressing solidifies after being stored in the fridge. To make it pourable again, simply remove the lid and microwave the jar for about 10 seconds. Then, place the lid back on, shake well, and enjoy!
- Shake before each use. The parmesan will sink to the bottom of the jar, so be sure to shake the dressing well before enjoying it.
Serving ideas
There are so many ways you can use this lemon parmesan dressing. A few ways to use it are:
Dress a salad
Add flavor to steamed vegetables
Toss roasted potatoes in it
Drizzle it over cooked grains like rice
Add the perfect touch to a grain bowl
Storing and making ahead
You can absolutely make this recipe ahead of time. In fact, making it a day or two before hand helps the flavors marry and taste even better than when it’s first made.
Keep the dressing in the jar you originally made it in and store it in the fridge for up to one week.
It will solidify in the fridge, but don’t worry. All you need to do is microwave it for about 10 seconds, shake it up vigorously, and it will be perfectly pourable and ready to drizzle over salads, veggies, and grains again!
Lemon Parmesan Dressing
In conclusion, this lemon parmesan dressing brings a bright, zesty flavor that males almost anything taste even better.
This simple recipe combines fresh lemon juice, grated parmesan cheese, and a few other ingredients for a delicious dressing that is perfect for salads, vegetables, grain bowls, you name it.
It’s very easy to make, so you can whip it up and transform everyday meals into something special.
Try making it today and experience the delightful taste yourself!
Lemon Parmesan Dressing
August 24, 2024Equipment
- 1 jar with lid
Ingredients
- ¾ cup olive oil OR avocado oil
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese finely grated
- ½ TBS dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp pepper
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Add the oil, lemon juice, parmesan, mustard, and garlic to a jar with a lid.¾ cup olive oil, ¼ cup lemon juice, ¼ cup parmesan cheese, ½ TBS dijon mustard, 2 cloves garlic
- Sprinkle in the pepper and salt.1 tsp pepper, ¼ tsp salt
- Place the lid on the jar and shake vigorously until everything is emulsified.
- Store in the fridge for up to a week. If the dressing solidifies in the fridge, simply remove the lid and microwave for 5 – 10 seconds. Then, place the lid back on, shake well, and enjoy!
