Homemade Greek Vinaigrette (Greek Salad Dressing Recipe)

This homemade Greek vinaigrette recipe is your ticket to Mediterranean-inspired meals! This versatile dressing adds a burst of Greek flavor to salads, meats, and more. Try it today.

Indulge in the rich flavors of Greece with our homemade Greek vinaigrette. Perfect for dressing salads or marinating meats, this recipe brings authentic Greek flavor to your table. Discover the perfect pairing for your dishes and elevate your meals to new heights!

Jump to:

• Why You Will Love This Vinaigrette Recipe
• Basic Vinaigrette Ratio: 1 Part Acid: 3 Parts Oil
• Ingredients
• Greek Dressing Recipe
• Creamy Greek Dressing Variation
• How to Use This Greek Vinaigrette
• Storage Instructions
• Homemade Greek Vinaigrette (Greek Salad Dressing Recipe)

Why You Will Love This Vinaigrette Recipe

• Quick and Easy: This Greek vinaigrette recipe is a breeze to whip up, making it a convenient alternative to store-bought dressings. 
• Uses Pantry Staples: With simple pantry ingredients like red wine vinegar, olive oil, and garlic, you can create this delicious dressing without any fuss. It's a budget-friendly option that doesn't sacrifice flavor.
• Fresh and Zesty: Packed with the bright flavors of lemon zest, Dijon mustard, and dried oregano, this vinaigrette adds a burst of freshness to any dish. You'll love the vibrant taste that enhances the natural flavors of your ingredients.
• Versatile: Not just for salads, this Greek vinaigrette pulls double duty as a marinade, infusing your proteins with irresistible flavor. It's a meal prep-friendly option that simplifies your cooking routine while adding a delicious twist to your dishes.

Basic Vinaigrette Ratio: 1 Part Acid: 3 Parts Oil

The rule of thumb is to combine 1 part acid, such as vinegar or citrus juice, with 3 to 4 parts oil, typically a high-quality extra virgin olive oil.  

This simple ratio ensures a harmonious balance of flavors, with the acidity of the vinegar or citrus complementing the richness of the oil. Incorporating this ratio into your homemade dressings guarantees a delicious result every time.

Ingredients

• Red Wine Vinegar and Lemon Juice: Provide the tangy acidity that forms the base of the vinaigrette, adding brightness to the flavor profile. 
• Lemon Zest: The lemon zest adds aromatic citrus notes, enhancing the overall freshness of the dressing.
• Dijon Mustard: Acts as an emulsifier, helping to bind the vinegar and oil together for a smooth and creamy texture. It also contributes a subtle tanginess and depth of flavor to the vinaigrette.
• Fresh Garlic Cloves: Infuse the dressing with a savory depth and pungent aroma, balancing the acidity of the vinegar and enhancing the overall complexity of the flavors.
• Dried Oregano: Provides an earthy, herbaceous note that complements the other ingredients, adding depth and complexity to the vinaigrette.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Season the dressing, enhancing the flavors of the ingredients and bringing out their natural tastes. They also help to balance the acidity and richness of the vinaigrette.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Forms the bulk of the dressing, providing richness, smoothness, and a luxurious mouthfeel. It also serves as a carrier for the other flavors, ensuring they coat the ingredients evenly. 

See the recipe card for quantities.

Greek Dressing Recipe

• Add all of the vinaigrette ingredients into a small bowl and whisk until the dressing is emulsified. (Alternatively add all the ingredients to a glass jar and shake until the dressing is well combined)
• Pour the vinaigrette into a glass jar, refrigerate until needed.

Creamy Greek Dressing Variation

For a creamy twist on the classic Greek vinaigrette, simply blend in Greek yogurt and crumbled feta cheese until smooth and creamy. This variation adds a luscious texture and tangy richness to the dressing, elevating it to new heights of flavor. 

This creamy Greek vinaigrette is incredibly versatile, making it an ideal accompaniment to a variety of dishes. Whether drizzled over crisp salads and grain bowls, tossed with roasted vegetables, or used as a dip for pita bread or pita chips, it adds a burst of Mediterranean flavor to any meal.

How to Use This Greek Vinaigrette

As a Salad Dressing for a few of our favorite salads

• Greek Salad: Toss together crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, briny Kalamata olives, and tangy feta cheese, then drizzle with this traditional Greek salad dressing for a taste of the Mediterranean.
• Simple Green Salads: Elevate a basic green salad with a generous drizzle of this flavorful vinaigrette.
• Mediterranean Chicken Salad: Marinate grilled chicken in this Greek vinaigrette, then serve over a bed of mixed greens with cherry tomatoes, Persian cucumbers, red onion, chickpeas and crumbled feta cheese for a satisfying meal.
• Falafel Rice Bowl: Drizzle this vinaigrette over a bowl of warm falafel, fluffy rice, diced cucumber and tomatoes for a deliciously satisfying and nutritious meal.
• Pasta Salads: Toss cooked pasta with chopped vegetables, olives, and feta cheese, then coat with this Greek vinaigrette for a refreshing pasta salad perfect for picnics and potlucks.
• Tomato and Cucumber Salad: Combine sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and fresh herbs in a bowl, then dress with this zesty vinaigrette for a simple and refreshing side dish.
• Drizzle over Roasted Vegetables: Roast a variety of vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant, then finish with a drizzle of this Greek vinaigrette for added flavor.

As a Marinade

• Use this Greek vinaigrette as a marinade for your favorite proteins: Marinade chicken, lamb, pork, beef, fish, or seafood in this greek dressing, allowing them to soak up the flavors of garlic, oregano, and lemon before grilling or baking to perfection.
• Greek Roasted Potatoes: Toss potato wedges with this tangy vinaigrette before roasting in the oven for crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside potatoes for a Greek spin on your everyday roast potatoes.

Storage Instructions

Store dressing in the refrigerator for up to 7 days

To maintain freshness, transfer any leftover dressing into a mason jar or an airtight container and refrigerate. This ensures that your vinaigrette stays flavorful and ready to use for up to a week.

Chef’s Tip - Before using the dressing, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to allow the olive oil to liquefy if it solidified in the refrigerator. Then, give the vinaigrette a good shake to re-emulsify the ingredients and ensure a consistent texture and flavor.

In conclusion, this homemade Greek vinaigrette offers a simple yet flavorful way to enhance your meals with a taste of the Mediterranean. Whether dressing salads or marinating meats, its versatility shines through. 

Ready to take your dishes to the next level? Try this recipe today and bring the flavors of Greece to your table!

Print

The nutrition is an estimate only. It was calculated using Nutrifox, an online nutrition calculator.