Honey Lemon Vinaigrette with Greek Yogurt
This creamy honey lemon vinaigrette with Greek yogurt combines fresh lemon juice, honey, and protein-packed yogurt for a healthy homemade dressing. Sweet, tangy, and made with clean ingredients, it’s perfect for salads and grain bowls. Ready in 5 minutes with no blender needed!
If you’ve been stuck in a boring salad rut or frustrated with store-bought dressings loaded with hidden sugars and preservatives, this creamy honey lemon vinaigrette with Greek yogurt solves both problems in one simple recipe. Made with clean ingredients like fresh lemon juice, Greek yogurt, and honey, this protein-packed salad dressing delivers the perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors while skipping all the hidden sugars and preservatives found in store-bought versions.
What sets this Greek yogurt lemon vinaigrette apart is how the creamy yogurt base adds probiotics and protein while the bright citrus and honey create a restaurant-quality flavor that takes just minutes to whisk together. I love that this no-blender-needed dressing gives you control over every ingredient, especially avoiding those questionable seed oils by using light olive oil instead.
Why You’ll Love This Greek Yogurt Lemon Vinaigrette Recipe
- Perfect sweet and tangy balance: The honey and fresh lemon juice create an irresistible flavor combination that makes any salad taste gourmet.
- Protein boost for your salads: Greek yogurt adds creamy texture plus extra protein to help keep you satisfied longer.
- Clean ingredients you control: Skip the store-bought dressings with hidden sugars and preservatives – this simple homemade dressing uses only wholesome ingredients.
- Ready in under 5 minutes: No blender needed – just whisk everything together in one bowl and you’re done.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is everything you need to make this creamy honey lemon vinaigrette:
Greek Yogurt: I love how it adds gut-friendly probiotics. Regular yogurt works fine, or try sour cream if you want less tang.
Light Olive Oil: This keeps the flavor mild so the lemon can really shine through. Avocado oil is my backup choice, but if you’re an olive oil lover, go for the extra virgin – just know it’ll be more pronounced.
Honey: Maple syrup works great too, or you can even use brown sugar in a pinch if that’s what you have.
Fresh Lemon Juice: Trust me, fresh makes ALL the difference here – it’s what gives this dressing that restaurant-quality zing. Bottled works if you’re desperate, but your taste buds will thank you for going fresh.
Apple Cider Vinegar: This little addition gives the dressing extra depth and helps it last longer in your fridge. White wine vinegar or rice vinegar work just as well if that’s what you’ve got.
Lemon Zest: This is where the magic happens! The oils in the zest make everything smell amazing and taste like sunshine. Don’t have a zester? A fine grater works perfectly.
Garlic Powder: Just enough to add a hint of savory goodness without overpowering. Fresh garlic is fine too, but I prefer powder since it mixes better and won’t get funky in the fridge.
Easily Adapt This Recipe for Any Diet
This recipe is naturally easy to tweak! Follow these simple swaps to make it gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan while keeping the same great texture and flavor.
Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free as written – just double-check that your honey hasn’t been processed with any gluten-containing ingredients.
Dairy-Free: Replace the Greek yogurt with cashew cream, tahini mixed with water, or a dairy-free yogurt alternative like coconut yogurt.
Vegan: Use maple syrup instead of honey and substitute the Greek yogurt with your favorite plant-based yogurt or blended silken tofu.
š” Pro Tip: If you try a substitution, let us know how it worked in the comments!
How to Make My Honey Lemon Vinaigrette with Greek Yogurt Recipe
Here are easy, detailed, step-by-step instructions that are also repeated in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
Step 1: Make the Dressing
Zest and juice one lemon.
In a small bowl, add 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup light olive oil, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Step 2 Chill and Serve
Transfer the vinaigrette to a jar or airtight container and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to let the flavors meld together. Give it a good shake or stir before using, and drizzle over your favorite salads or grain bowls.
My Expert Recipe Tips
Whisk until completely smooth: Take an extra minute to really whisk this dressing well – you want the yogurt and oil to be completely emulsified so it doesn’t separate.
Let it chill before serving: The flavors really come together and taste even better after sitting in the fridge for at least 15 minutes.
Adjust sweetness to taste: Start with the recommended honey amount, then add more if you prefer a sweeter dressing, especially if serving with bitter greens.
Delicious Serving Suggestions
- Fresh fruit salads: I love drizzling this over spinach salads with strawberries and blueberries. You’ll love how the creamy sweetness complements the fruit perfectly.
- Grain bowls and buddha bowls: This versatile dressing works beautifully over quinoa, farro, or brown rice bowls loaded with roasted vegetables.
- CruditƩ platter: Use it as a healthy dip for raw vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, and cucumber slices for a protein-packed snack.
- Roasted vegetable bowls: Drizzle over warm roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, or cauliflower for a bright finishing touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you love homemade dressings? Check out more of my easy and nutritious dressing recipes:
- Mexican Caesar Dressing Creamy with Cottage Cheese
- Panera Poppyseed Dressing with Cottage Cheese Homemade
- Caesar Salad Dressing No Anchovies with Cottage Cheese
- Homemade Ranch Dressing
Creamy Honey Lemon Vinaigrette with Greek Yogurt
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup light olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Zest and juice one lemon.
- In a small bowl, add 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup light olive oil, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Transfer the vinaigrette to a jar or airtight container and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to let the flavors meld together. Give it a good shake or stir before using, and drizzle over your favorite salads or grain bowls.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe has been reviewed by a healthcare professional for its nutritional balance and alignment with healthy eating principles.
I made this for a strawberry spinach salad and it was perfection!
Thank you for the review, Mel!
I hope you enjoy this easy and delicious recipe! Please let me know what you think š