The combination of fresh lemon and lime juice, mint and cilantro, and a little maple syrup makes the most aromatic and refreshing citrus dressing ever. It's my go-to anytime I want major flavor quickly, especially since you just dump all the ingredients in the blender and blitz it up! Perfect for summer salads, waking up hearty grains, and adding a little brightness to your plate any time of year.
This citrus mint dressing recipe is the same one from my Kale Pasta Salad with White Beans! The roasted veggies and noodles hold onto that dressing like nothing else. It's not the same old heavy pasta salads you grew up with - this one is light, bright, and packed with veggies.
Why you’ll love this Citrus Vinaigrette Recipe
- Comes together in minutes in the blender, which makes it lush and creamy instantly
- Can last in a mason jar in the fridge for up to a week
- Requires very simple ingredients, mostly coming from whole foods and fresh herbs
- The combination of lemon and lime together is instantly refreshing (and will just make you feel happy)
- Cooling mint and aromatic cilantro really bring this great dressing together
Ingredients for Citrus Salad Dressing
Most homemade salad dressings rely on a very short list of ingredients and this one is no exception. Once you start making your own salad dressings, you'll be shocked to think about how much money you've spent on lackluster, preservative-laden store-bought dressing. There's no way to get this much flavor from a bottle at the store - the fresh citrus juice and fresh herbs take it over the top!
- Fresh lemon juice - Use a citrus reamer or juicer to squeeze fresh lemons and limes.
- Fresh lime juice
- Olive oil - Extra-virgin olive oil is ideal for salad dressings, and a great way to add some more healthy fats to your diet. However, you can use any type of neutral oil you prefer (avocado oil, vegetable oil, etc).
- Fresh herbs - The key word here is fresh. Dried herbs are wonderful in their own right, but their lusciously green dressing gets its flavor from fresh mint and cilantro.
- Pure maple syrup - Just a touch of sweetness balances out the citrus fruits and wakes up the herbs.
- Salt - Add a pinch of salt to balance out the flavors and bring everything together.
How to Make Citrus Vinaigrette Dressing
You might be tempted to make this citrus vinaigrette salad dressing by hand, skipping the blender, but here's why I don't think you should. First, blending creates thousands of teeny tiny cuts, breaking down the herbs to expose maximum surface area. This releases tons of flavor, and you won't get nearly the same vibrancy chopping the herbs by hand. Plus, all that blending adds air to the dressing, which makes it naturally creamy. For the best flavor and texture, choose whichever gadget you prefer (immersion blender, food processor, or blender).
- To a high speed blender add oil, lemon and lime juice, mint and cilantro, salt and pure maple syrup.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Store any leftover vinaigrette in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.
Tips for Making the Best Homemade Dressing
- Experiment with other citrus fruits. Feel free to play around with adding some fresh orange juice for a slightly different flavor profile. Grapefruit juice can work, but the bitterness can be challenging for lots of people. Lemon and lime are the perfect combination and always turn out great.
- Add zest. Since you're already using fresh citrus, it sure doesn't hurt to add a little lime or lemon zest, too. It will really take that citrus flavor to the next level.
- Focus on fresh ingredients. Between all the fresh citrus and herbs, this recipe is really all about fresh flavors. I recommend sticking with real, fresh citrus (not the juice from concentrate) and the freshest herbs you can find for the very best flavor.
Serving Suggestions
One of the best things about this homemade vinaigrette is how versatile it is. We can almost always find fresh lemons, limes, and herbs in the grocery store, and the flavors work any time of the year.
I love drizzling this dressing over my Kale Pasta Salad in the summer with cherry tomatoes and kale, but it also works like a charm in a winter salad when you're really craving those bright, fresh flavors. (Try it in this Winter Orzo Pasta Salad the next time the winter blues are getting you down.)
It's one of my favorite dressing recipes and is a mainstay in the fridge whether we want a simple green salad, a marinated pasta salad, quinoa salad, or anything else!
Other Delicious Vegan Salad Dressing Recipes
- Tahini Caesar Salad Dressing
- Vegan Ranch Dressing
- Puttanesca Vinaigrette
- Lemon Tahini Dressing
- Orange Tahini Dressing
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Sweet Citrus and Mint Dressing
Ingredients
- 2 lemons squeezed, about ¼ cup
- 2 limes squeezed, about ¼ cup
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh mint leaves only
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro leaves and stems
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- To a high speed blender add oil, lemon and lime juice, mint and cilantro, salt and pure maple syrup.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Store in the refrigerator and enjoy for 5-7 days.
Sarah Robinson
Soooo good. Makes any combo of beans and greens shine!
Sara Tercero
So happy you liked it Sarah! Thanks for the feedback!