Half-and-Half Vinaigrette Salad Dressing
A perfectly balanced dressing with equal parts olive oil and lemon juice, infused with garlic and herbs to brighten any green salad with a touch of Mediterranean flair. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 5 minutes blends extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 120 calories and feeds 6, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 clove, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- to taste salt
- to taste freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup, finely chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil and 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice until emulsified and slightly thickened.
- Step 2: Add 1 clove garlic, minced, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp honey, and 1/2 tsp dried oregano to the bowl. Whisk vigorously for 1 minute until fully combined and smooth.
- Step 3: Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, stirring until evenly distributed.
- Step 4: Just before serving, stir in 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil until evenly dispersed, then transfer to an airtight container for storage.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-and-Half Vinaigrette Salad Dressing take to make?
Total time is about 5 minutes (5 min prep + 0 min cook). A small batch typically covers several meals in the week — store as the recipe directs.
How do I store leftover Half-and-Half Vinaigrette Salad Dressing?
Transfer to an airtight jar and refrigerate for up to 5–7 days. Most sauces freeze well for up to 2 months — portion into small containers or freezer bags so you can thaw only what you need. Stir before serving; cream- or yogurt-based sauces may separate on standing.
Can I substitute ingredients in Half-and-Half Vinaigrette Salad Dressing?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Half-and-Half Vinaigrette Salad Dressing for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Half-and-Half Vinaigrette Salad Dressing?
Mediterranean salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to salads dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
