This flavourful and zingy Dijon dressing is super addictive and SO easy to make. With only 4 ingredients, plus salt and pepper, it comes together fast, making it the ultimate healthy dressing! It will have you craving salads every dang day!
This Dijon dressing recipe is ideal for those who:
- Want to eat more salads but don’t enjoy the taste of (most) salads.
- Need a low-carb, paleo or keto-compliant salad dressing option.
- Prefer homemade salad dressing, but don’t want the hassle of making a new batch every time.
- Want a healthy, flavourful condiment with multiple uses.
- Are type-2 diabetic (learn why here).
Keep reading to find out how to make this delicious Dijon dressing recipe!
skip ahead with these links
Quick & Easy Dijon Dressing Method
The best (and easiest) way to make homemade salad dressing, is in a screw-top jar. That’s because you can use the jar as your measuring guide, instead of dirtying up more dishes!
The size of the jar will depend on how much dressing you’re making. Because this Dijon dressing lasts for up to 3 weeks in the fridge, I always recommend doubling it and using a pint (500ml) jar. If making a single batch, enough for 2 family-sized salads, try using a half-pint (250ml) jar.
THE STEPS
- Start by adding your shallots, dijon dressing, salt and pepper to your jar.
- Then, add your vinegar, giving it a stir so the vinegar can reach the bottom of the jar, and fill it up to the halfway point of your jar.
- Next, fill your olive oil until it reaches the inside rim. Refer to the image for clarity.
- Finally, screw on your lid and give it a good ‘ol shaky shake until it comes together as a homogenous mixture.
- Before popping it in the fridge, give it a taste. If it’s not zingy enough, feel free to add another teaspoon or two of dijon, vinegar or a bit more pepper. If it’s too zingy, add a bit more olive oil and a pinch more salt. Don’t forget to give it a shake in between adjustments. Note that the Dijon and shallot flavours will meld and mellow out a bit after a day or two in the fridge.
- And voila! You have homemade Dijon dressing that will rival any French restaurant!
Store your delicious dressing in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. If any separation occurs, just give it a quick shake. Once the dressing has been in the fridge for approximately 24-36 hours, it will thicken up. This is because olive oil turns into a solid when refrigerated.
When it’s time to make a salad, just scoop out how much you want to use, into the bowl you plan to toss your salad in. Let it sit on the counter for 5 minutes or so, while you prep the rest of your veggies and toppings. Then, add your greens to the bowl, toss them in the dressing and add your remaining toppings. Enjoy!
Inventive Ways to Use This Dijon Dressing
This Dijon dressing recipe has the ability to make bland or bitter vegetables taste wonderful! But its superpowers don’t stop there. Here are some ideas for how to use this delicious dressing:
- As a marinade for chicken, pork or fish.
- On baked salmon, combined with some melted butter and lemon juice.
- As the dressing in a grain and/or bean salad.
- Drizzled over shaved brussels sprouts that have been sauteed.
- Tossed with your favourite lettuce as a flavourful salad base.
- As a dipping sauce for roasted or barbequed veggies.
Dijon Dressing Nutrition Facts
Most store-bought salad dressings are full of sugar, unhealthy oils and preservatives. While convenient, more often than not, their ingredients undo the health benefits of the veggie meal they’re meant to enhance.
Thankfully this low-carb, healthy Dijon dressing is made with only 4 simple ingredients, plus salt and pepper to taste, and comes together quickly! Meaning, you get all the flavour AND health benefits from eating that salad!
Keep reading (or skip ahead using the links below) to find out what makes the ingredients in this Dijon dressing so special.
DIjon mustard
Dijon mustard is yellow mustard’s sharp and spicy cousin from France. Surprisingly enough, mustard contains antioxidant-rich phytochemicals and minerals. The types of antioxidants found in traditional Dijon mustard have been shown to support your immune system and protect you against bacterial and fungal infections.
Research shows that regular consumption of mustard can reduce the risk of cervical, colon and bladder cancers. It’s also shown to benefit those with type 2 diabetes and psoriasis.
My absolute FAVOURITE Dijon mustard of all time is Dijon by Anton, however, any Dijon mustard you enjoy the flavour of will work in this recipe.
EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
Extra virgin olive oil (aka EVOO) has wonderful body-healing benefits and is used liberally in most healthy-diet protocols, including the Medditerainnian Diet. And for good reason! Nutrient-wise it’s rich in healthy fats, antioxidants, and vitamins E and K.
Health benefits-wise, it:
- Is an anti-inflammatory powerhouse!
- Lowers your risk of developing heart disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
- Improves mental focus and memory.
- Improves joint pain, chronic inflammatory conditions and inflammation-based symptoms.
- Helps lower bad cholesterol.
- Improves the appearance of hair and skin.
Extra virgin olive oil doesn’t spoil quickly and is a delicious staple in a lot of healthy eating recipes. Thankfully buying it in bulk from somewhere like Costco can save money in the long run. Keep it stored in a dark bottle and out of direct sunlight, to help keep those healthy fats fresh!
shallots
Shallots, which have a mild onion and garlicky flavour, give this dijon dressing a depth of flavour that other recipes lack. And BONUS, they’re also a nutritional powerhouse!
Shallots contain powerful antioxidants. Similar to garlic, when shallots are chopped or crushed they form a compound called allicin, which has been linked to the reduction of various cancer cells, including breast, colorectal, lunch and oral cancers. They also contain quercetin, which has been shown to help reduce seasonal allergy symptoms.
Other health benefits include improved circulation and heart health, lowered cholesterol and blood pressure, and a more relaxed nervous system.
You can find shallots at any major grocery store, however Costco sells unpeeled shallots in their fresh produce section at a very low price. Note they will stay fresh in a cool dry place for over a month.
white wine vinegar
Vinegar has a superpower! Not only does it balance the taste of your meal, but it has the ability to balance your blood sugars after eating something sugary or starchy! Cool eh?
Studies show that starting your meal with food containing acetic acid (like white wine vinegar) will reduce the amount of insulin your body needs to produce, in order to regulate your blood sugar levels. Insulin is the hormone that moves sugar (aka glucose) from your bloodstream, into your cells for energy.
I get my wine vinegar from my local grocery store. I’ve found this Dijon dressing tastes best when using lighter-coloured white wine vinegar. I’ve noticed little difference between the more expensive and cheaper options, so I choose to go the cheaper route. However, I have noticed wine vinegars that are produced in Italy tend to taste better.
Dijon Dressing Meal Prep Tips
STORING YOUR DIJON DRESSING
The Dijon dressing has a longer shelf-life in the fridge than you’d expect. This is due to the vinegar and olive oil content. Olive oil is packed with antioxidants which act as an anti-aging preservative – both in your body and in this dressing!
White wine vinegar contains acetic acid and has low pH, making it an unfavourable environment for bacteria to grow. It’s a widely used, natural preservative that also happens to taste great!
Store your delicious dressing in the fridge for up to 3 weeks, in a tightly sealed container or jar. If you’re using a mason jar, I do recommend trying Ball’s no-leak plastic lids. They don’t rust like the traditional metal lids after coming into contact with the vinegar and oil.
If any separation occurs, just give your dressing a good shake. Note that once this Dijon dressing has been in the fridge for approximately 24-36 hours, it will thicken up, and remain a homogenous mixture. This is because olive oil turns into a solid when refrigerated.
HEALTHY EATING + MEAL PREP HACK
After trying out this Dijon dressing and deciding you can’t live without it, I recommend quadrupling this recipe into 2 pint/500 ml jars, using the quick & easy method discussed above.
In the time it takes you to make this delicious and healthy dressing, you could make two or even three jars. I talk about this easy-to-implement meal prep hack in my Healthy Eating Guide for Beginners.
Making every minute count in the kitchen is the ultimate hack for slowly integrating meal prep into your already busy routine. Click here for more healthy eating and meal prep hacks!
If you try this simple Dijon dressing, I’d love to hear what you think! Comment below or tag me @nourashnutrition in your Instagram stories!
QUICK & EASY DIJON DRESSING
Equipment
- A jar with a tight-fitting lid
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 3 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1/8 cup finely diced shallot (about half of one shallot)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper or more if desired
Instructions
- Place all your ingredients in jar and seal with a tight-fitting lid.
- Shake well until all ingredients are fully combined, creating a homogenous mixture.
- OPTIONAL: If wanting an extra creamy-looking dressing, you can mix together the ingredients using an immersion blender in a wide-mouth jar. Note that this step is NOT necessary to create a delicious dressing. It's strictly for looks!
Nutrition
Questions About This Recipe?
If you have any questions about this simple Dijon dressing recipe or the information you’ve learned today, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment or send me an Instagram direct message! ✨
I can’t wait to hear all about your healthy eating journey and what you’ve been cooking! Please comment below or share your successes with me on Instagram @nourashnutrition so that I can celebrate you and your healthy eating milestones!
Sending you strength and confidence today to fuel your healthiest tomorrow!
This salad dressing is crazy good! Even my boyfriend liked it and he usually doesn’t like salads. 😂 I love the idea of using the jar as a measuring guide. I don’t like dirtying up extra dishes if I don’t have to!
Yay! I’m happy you and your boyfriend are enjoying the dressing! I’m with you Amy… anything to help save time doing dishes!