Lemon Chive Salad Dressing

Fresh chives are the star of the show here, adding a savory freshness that works perfectly with fresh lemon juice, olive oil, and a little maple syrup. This simple chive dressing is bright, sweet, and aromatic, and will make even a simple salad taste extra special. It's the perfect dressing for spring and summer and tastes way, way better than any bottled dressing you'll find at the store!

Ingredients for Lemon and Chive Dressing

This is such a simple vinaigrette. The lemon juice stands in for any vinegar, which gives it a really lovely bright flavor. Add an oil, fresh chives, a little sweetness, and a pinch of salt, and you're set!

• Olive oil - Or any neutral oil. Extra virgin olive oil is my go-to for most vinaigrettes.
• Lemon juice - Fresh lemon juice is ideal, if possible. Feel free to add the lemon zest if you like really punchy citrus flavors. 
• Chives - Fresh chives have a mild oniony flavor that makes this dressing a little more savory. They're lovely. 
• Pure maple syrup - This is my go-to sweetener for homemade dressings since it's naturally vegan (unlike honey) and dissolves nicely in dressings. It also adds a little richness that balances out the brightness of the lemon. 
• Salt - To bring out all that fresh chive flavor and to help balance the lemon.

Bonus tip: Instead of cutting the chives with a knife, use scissors! They are much easier to cut and you won't crush the greens quite as much.

How to Make Lemon Chive Vinaigrette

Although I often like to make my dressings in the food processor or blender, I prefer to whisk this one together to keep the colorful little pieces of fresh chives. They look nice drizzled over your salad ingredients and you get extra chive flavor when you bite into them.

• To a small jar or container, add olive oil, lemon juice, salt, chives and maple syrup. 
• Whisk until well combined.

Storing Suggestions

Store in an airtight container or glass jar in the refrigerator and enjoy for 5-7 days for best quality. Extra-virgin olive oil may solidify in the fridge, so let it sit out at room temperature for a bit to soften up. Give the mixture a good stir then serve like normal.

Tips for Making the Best Lemon and Chive Dressing

• Use fresh chives. You can sometimes find dried or freeze-dried chives and they can work, but fresh herbs have a totally different flavor than dried ones. Chives are easy to grow, so you can often add a pot in your vegetable garden and trim what you need throughout the year.
• Try different herbs. This dressing is designed to balance fresh, herby flavors. That means you can easily substitute the chives or add more herbs for a stronger flavor. Try adding some fresh parsley or a little dill next time. 
• Add some bite. For a bolder, sharper flavor, add a little dollop of Dijon mustard or 1-2 freshly minced garlic cloves.

How to Serve

The flavors in this dressing are incredibly versatile and can be served with basically anything (and I mean anything). The brightness of the lemon can cut through rich, fatty flavors while the herbs make everything pop. 

I really like to serve it with fresh fruits, like this Nectarine Cantaloupe Salad. You can also use it in more conventionally savory salads, like this Romaine Heart Salad.

In addition to all your favorite green salads, try using it in potato salad for a light, fresh flavor or even drizzled over roasted green beans or asparagus as a lovely garnish. So good!

More Homemade Salad Dressings

• Vegan Ranch Dressing
• Mediterranean Vinaigrette
• Sweet Balsamic Dressing
• Vegan Italian Vinaigrette
• Tahini Lemon Dressing