Lemon Caper Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe
This lemon caper vinaigrette is a light and flavorful salad dressing recipe. Great for salads, pastas, or roasted vegetables for an extra tang!
This dressing can be used as a sauce for anything that needs a pop of flavor. It’s wonderful as a marinade, on salads, or served with your favorite protein.
Want more simple salad dressing recipes? Try our Greek yogurt blue cheese dressing, serrano lime vinaigrette, and our favorite citrus balsamic salad dressing for a delicious kick!
This lemon caper vinaigrette recipe is one of our go-to dressings! We love adding it on top of roasted root vegetables which makes an amazingly flavorful sauce. It’s simple to make and a homemade great pantry staple dressing.
And it is SO versatile: it’s great on salads, as a sauce, or add a bit to brighten up hummus or a dip (it’s extra good on our green goddess hummus recipe). Load on the flavor with this simple homemade caper dressing!
Flavor Notes From Our Kitchen
- This salad dressing tastes bright, fresh, and flavorful!
- It has a wonderful tangy flavor from the brined capers, and a nice sweet/salty mix.
- You can make it in 5 minutes, in one bowl or mason jar.
- It’s versatile can be used on salads, proteins, or bowls.
- It’s vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free!
Ingredients You’ll Need
See our recipe card below for the full ingredient amounts and instructions.
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Lemon Juice
- Capers – give this dish an extraordinary flavor, brightness, and sophistication!
- Garlic
- Apple Cider Vinegar, which gives this dressing a little extra tang which is really fantastic! I love using organic apple cider vinegar with the mother which has a great flavor. I think it gives a nice extra sweetness and depth.
- Dijon Mustard – for a really nice flavor and texture, this Dijon is a favorite in our pantry… I’d stay clear from yellow prepared mustard for this recipe.
- Maple Syrup: I really like using maple syrup for natural sweetness.
- Salt and pepper to taste
Substitutions or Additions
Instead of maple syrup, you can use any natural sweetener. Agave nectar or honey work particularly well, or you could add in some granulated sugar instead.
If you don’t have fresh garlic, garlic powder or jarred chopped garlic will work in a pinch.
The fresh lemon juice gives the dressing a wonderful flavor, but if you don’t have fresh lemons you can make it with bottled lemon juice too.
How To Make This Dressing Recipe
- To a mason jar, add the olive oil, lemon juice, capers, mustard, and agave nectar. Seal with an airtight lid and shake well until all ingredients are well combined.
- Taste and add salt and pepper if desired.
- Pour dressing over a mixed green salad, pasta salad, or roasted root vegetables. Enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Lemon caper dressing is a light, cirtusy dressing made with lemon juice, salty capers, olive oil, zesty garlic, and has a hint of sweetness from maple syrup. It’s fresh and zippy, making it a great dressing or marinade.
Store leftovers in an airtight container (I like a mason jar with a sealed lid) for up to 1 week in your refrigerator.
Yes, it’s great for marinating proteins! Marinate for up to 8 hours for the best flavor. And you can add extra dressing to make a delicious sauce.
More Tasty Salads You’ll Love!
- Panzanella Salad with Focaccia Bread
- Cranberry Kale Pecan Salad with Grilled Tofu Recipe
- Warm Chickpea Arugula Salad Recipe
- Sumo Orange Salad Recipe
- Stuffed Date and Arugula Salad Recipe
- Radiatori Pasta Salad Recipe
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Our cookbook One Ingredient, Five Ways has tasty no-waste plant-based recipes for everyone!
Lemon Caper Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons capers
- 1 clove garlic finely minced
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or other natural sweetener
- Sea Salt and Black Pepper
Instructions
- To a mason jar, add the olive oil, lemon juice, capers, mustard, and agave nectar. Seal with an airtight lid and shake well until all ingredients are well combined.
- Taste and add salt and pepper if desired.
- Pour dressing over a mixed green salad, pasta salad, or roasted root vegetables. Enjoy!
Nutrition
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As a salad lover, this dressing is delicious