A Dressing You’ll Reach for Again and Again
A good Greek vinaigrette should be bright enough to wake up a bowl of vegetables but still have enough richness and savory flavor to hold its own as a marinade. This one balances extra-virgin olive oil with red wine vinegar, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and plenty of Greek seasoning.
The result is tangy, herb-filled, and full of bold Mediterranean flavor. It is simple enough for an everyday salad but versatile enough to become one of those dressings you keep in the refrigerator and find yourself using all week.
What Does Greek Vinaigrette Taste Like?
Red wine vinegar gives Greek vinaigrette its deep, distinctive tang, while fresh lemon juice adds a brighter, fresher acidity. Extra-virgin olive oil rounds out those sharper flavors with a fruity richness, and the Greek seasoning brings the savory herbs that give the dressing its Mediterranean character.
The Dijon mustard adds a little depth and helps the oil and vinegar come together without making the finished dressing taste strongly of mustard. An optional pinch of crushed red pepper adds gentle warmth rather than noticeable heat.
Ways to Use Greek Vinaigrette
Greek salad may be the obvious choice, but this vinaigrette can add bright, savory flavor to all kinds of meals. Use it for:
- Dressing a classic Greek salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, olives, and feta
- Tossing with pasta, chopped vegetables, olives, and cheese for a Greek-inspired pasta salad
- Marinating chicken, pork, beef, or lamb before grilling or roasting
- Tossing with potatoes or vegetables before roasting
- Drizzling over grain bowls, rice bowls, or warm cooked grains
- Dressing chickpeas, white beans, or lentils for an easy side dish
- Adding flavor to grilled or roasted vegetables
- Spooning over grilled chicken, fish, or meats as a finishing sauce
- Tossing with cucumbers and tomatoes for a quick summer side
- Using as a flavorful dressing for sandwiches and wraps
Because the vinaigrette contains both oil and acid, it works especially well with rich meats, salty cheeses, hearty grains, and fresh vegetables. A small amount can brighten the entire dish without covering up the flavors of the other ingredients.
Greek Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tsp Greek seasoning blend
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- Pinch of crushed red pepper, optional
Instructions
- Add the red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Greek seasoning, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, and crushed red pepper, if using, to a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Cover and shake well to dissolve the salt and thoroughly combine the ingredients.Add the olive oil, cover tightly, and shake vigorously until the vinaigrette is thoroughly combined and emulsified.Let the dressing rest for at least 15 minutes to give the dried herbs time to soften and release their flavor. Shake well again before serving.
Notes
- My homemade Greek seasoning blend does not contain salt, so this recipe includes ½ teaspoon of kosher salt. If you are using a store-bought Greek seasoning blend that contains salt, reduce or omit the additional salt as needed.The vinaigrette will naturally separate as it sits. Shake well before each use.