Lemon Yogurt Dressing
This Lemon Yogurt Dressing is one of those recipes I find myself making on repeat. It’s creamy, bright, and comes together in about 5 minutes with ingredients I almost always have on hand. I use it for everything from simple green salads to pasta salad, and it’s even great as a dip for fresh vegetables.
I’ve never been much of a fan of bottled dressings. Most have a long ingredient list, and they never taste quite as fresh as homemade dressing. This creamy Greek yogurt dressing gets its creaminess from Greek yogurt, with just enough mayo to make it rich, while fresh lemon juice and zest give it plenty of citrus flavor. It’s simple, versatile, and one of those recipes that’s hard to stop eating once you make it.
If you love homemade dressings too, be sure to try my Lemon Basil Vinaigrette and my collection of Keto Dressings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in just 5 minutes
- Fresh, bright lemon flavor
- Creamy without being heavy
- Great on salads, pasta salad, or as a veggie dip
- High in protein thanks to Greek yogurt
- Made with simple pantry ingredients
- Easy to customize
Before You Get Started
- Fresh lemon juice and zest give the best flavor.
- Plain Greek yogurt makes the dressing thick and creamy.
- Let the dressing chill in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes before serving if you have time. The flavors blend together even more after a short rest.
- Taste before serving and adjust the salt or lemon juice if needed.
Ingredients
- Plain Greek yogurt – Use plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt for the creamiest texture.
- Mayonnaise – Adds creaminess to the dressing.
- Lemon juice – For a burst of citrus flavor.
- Lemon zest – Adds even more lemon flavor without thinning the dressing.
- Garlic powder and onion powder – Adds depth and flavor.
- Salt and black pepper – Season to taste.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Lemon Yogurt Dressing
Step One: Add all of the ingredients to a small bowl or food processor.
Step Two: Whisk or blend until smooth and creamy. Taste the dressing. Adjust the seasonings if needed.
Step Three: Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to use.
Top Tip💡
This dressing tastes even better after it sits in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes. Giving the flavors a little time to blend makes a noticeable difference.
Variations
- Fresh Herbs – Stir in chopped fresh chives, dill, parsley, or basil.
- Extra Garlic – Replace the garlic powder with a clove of freshly minced garlic.
- Tangier Flavor – Add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard for extra zip.
- Thinner Dressing – Whisk in a tablespoon or two of milk or water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- More Lemon – Add extra zest for an even brighter lemon flavor.
See this Creamy Garlic Salad Dressing for another simple and easy option.
Equipment
You’ll need a small mixing bowl or food processor, a whisk, measuring spoons, and an airtight container with a lid for storing leftovers.
Storage
Store the dressing in an airtight container with a lid in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Give it a quick stir or a good shake before serving, as it may separate slightly while it chills in the fridge. I don’t recommend freezing it since dairy-based dressings tend to separate after thawing.
Common Questions
Whisk in a little milk or water, one tablespoon at a time, until it’s the consistency you like.
On the flip side, if it’s too thin and you want to thicken it up, just add more of the yogurt, whisk, and then see what you think. Repeat until you get it to the consistency that you want.
You can, but fresh lemon juice and zest give this dressing a much brighter, fresher flavor.
Besides using it on a favorite salad, I love this creamy yogurt dressing on wraps, sandwiches, grilled chicken breast, roasted vegetables, or as a dip for fresh veggies. Add a dollop on grilled salmon or roasted potatoes for an easy sauce.
Yes, but Greek yogurt gives the dressing more protein and a slightly lighter flavor, which is why I almost always use it.
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Lemon Yogurt Dressing
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp mayo
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Add the ingredients to a medium bowl.
- Whisk until smooth.
- Store in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
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