Tangy, zesty, mouthwatering. That’s how I’d describe this Lemon Celery Seed Dressing. I’d also use words like “refreshing” and phrases like “perfect for summer,” because this dressing is all of those things and MORE, Spiriteds. Beat the salad doldrums with a vegan and paleo dressing that takes just minutes to make and bursts with springy, summery flavor. {Vegan + Paleo}
Here’s my thing about salad dressings: I LOVE them, and I love the salads that go with them. However, sometimes they feel heavy, and other times I feel like I have to dump the entire bottle on the salad to get the right zing. The salad then goes from bland to drenched in one pour. I can’t do it, I can’t do soggy salads. When I make a salad, I’m like Barbra Streisand in The Mirror Has Two Faces. I’m all about the right balance of greens and dressing to achieve the perfect salad with the perfect bite.
Another homemade salad dressing recipe, aptly named Homemade Italian Salad Dressing, is a mind-bogglingly delicious staple in our house. And now it has a friend, a cohort, if you will, in this Lemon Celery Seed Dressing. Because although Italian dressings are amazing, sometimes you want a slightly different flavor. And, my friends, today we have that.
So, if you’re in the mood to make a simple yet delicious salad dressing, then read on! Because you’ll want this dressing on hand for all kinds of recipes!
Lemon Celery Seed Dressing is
- Vegan and paleo
- A perfect complement to salad and leafy greens (including bitter varieties like arugula)
- Easy to adjust for more of a citrusy flavor or savory flavor
There is something about celery seed that I can’t get enough of. And there’s something about lemon that just feels rejuvenating, even in a single batch of salad dressing lightly drizzled over lush spinach leaves, or arugula, if you’re feeling bold, piquant red onions, and juicy yellow tomatoes. Spiriteds, the flavor is everything that is amazing, and it’s only a salad dressing. You know how they say it’s in the little things? Well, Lemon Celery Seed Dressing is Exhibit A.
Ingredients to make Lemon Celery Seed Dressing
- Olive oil. Start with one cup, and if you find your dressing is too citrusy or to o strong, then you can always add more olive oil to balance out the flavors.
- Lemon juice. Bottled is fine, but you can never go wrong with fresh! Also, I find that I can get away with adding MORE than two teaspoons of lemon juice, if I use fresh lemon juice. But play around with amounts to see what your palate likes best!
- Celery seed. Adjust up or down for just how strong and savory you want your dressing to be. If you are’t sure, then start out with half the amount and work your way up.
- Coarse black pepper. This strong flavor is right at home with the celery seed.
- Sea salt. To taste. You can add this before adding the ingredients below OR you can add it after, depending on what’s in your pantry. See the next bullet point for details.
- Garlic powder and onion salt. A pinch of each. I don’t always have both on hand, so I use whatever I DO have. Sometimes I only have garlic and onion powders, in which case, I bump up the sea salt amount, while other times I only have garlic and onion salts. When that happens, I add carefully so the dressing doesn’t become too salty.
The recipe couldn’t be simpler. First, pour olive oil into a glass jar and then throw the other ingredients in, too. Next, give everything a brisk stir. Lastly, enjoy! Add this dressing to protein-based salads like salmon, chicken, tuna, or shrimp salads. Think vegetable salads, too!
More delicious dressings recipes!
If you love salads and dressings, then you’ll love these savory flavors!
Stay well and wild, Spiriteds! As always, I’m glad you’re here!
PrintLemon Celery Seed Dressing
Tangy, zesty, mouthwatering. That’s how I’d describe this Lemon Celery Seed Dressing. I’d also use words like “refreshing” and phrases like “perfect for summer,” because this dressing is all of those things and MORE, Spiriteds. Beat the salad doldrums with a vegan and paleo dressing that takes just minutes to make and bursts with springy, summery flavor. {Vegan + Paleo}
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 5 mins
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
- Category: Salads and Dressings
- Method: Whisk
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1 cup olive oil (bump this up to 1 1/4 cup if the lemon is a little strong)
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon celery seed
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt (more as desired)
- 1 pinch EACH of garlic powder and onion salt
Instructions
- First, pour olive oil into a glass jar and then add the remaining ingredients.
- Next, give everything a brisk stir.
- Lastly, enjoy!
- This salad dressing is best enjoyed within one week.
Notes
- If you aren’t sure just what flavor balance you want your dressing to have, then start out with less and add in as you go. If your dressing gets too strong, then add a little more olive oil.
- I have added as few as two teaspoons of bottled lemon juice and up to two tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Adjust according to your preference.
- Why add garlic powder but onion salt? This keeps the dressing from being too salty. However, you can likely mix and match, depending on what you already have in your pantry. If you only have the salted versions of each, then you may want to decrease your sea salt amount. And if you only have the powdered versions, then you might increase the amount of sea salt added.
Hi, I’m confused. The 1sr I ingredient you list is: 1 cup olive. One cup olive(s), olive juice, olive what? The rest I get & can’t wait to try it once I find out what the 1st ingredient is. Thank you.
Thank you for catching that! I’ve fixed the recipe. The first ingredient is olive oil. 🙂 Enjoy!