Creamy Dijon Dressing
This Creamy Dijon Dressing is smooth, tangy, and full of bright lemon and garlic flavor. Made with mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, honey, and olive oil, this easy homemade salad dressing is rich without feeling too heavy. It takes just minutes to whisk together and tastes delicious on Cobb salad, chicken salads, sandwiches, grain bowls, and roasted vegetables.
Short Description of the Recipe
This Creamy Dijon Dressing is a quick homemade salad dressing made with mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, and olive oil. It is smooth, tangy, lightly sweet, and easy to thin with a little water until it reaches the perfect pouring consistency.
Why It’s Good
The Dijon mustard and lemon give this creamy dressing a bright, fresh flavour, while the honey softens the sharpness just enough. Greek yogurt keeps it creamy without making it feel overly heavy. I like that it clings nicely to lettuce and chopped vegetables instead of sinking to the bottom of the bowl. A little goes a long way.
When to Serve It
Serve this easy Creamy Dijon Dressing with Cobb salad, grilled chicken salad, chopped vegetable salads, grain bowls, roasted potatoes, or fresh vegetables. It is also delicious as a sandwich spread or dipping sauce. Great for quick lunches, summer salads, meal prep, and simple weeknight dinners.
Tips and Tricks
Whisk the Creamy Dijon Dressing until completely smooth before adding the water.
Add the water one tablespoon at a time. It thins quickly, and you do not want it too runny.
Let the dressing rest for 10 minutes so the garlic, lemon, and Dijon flavours can blend.
Taste before serving. Add a little more honey for sweetness or lemon juice for extra tang.
For the best texture, chill the dressing before tossing it with salad. It thickens slightly in the refrigerator.
Store this homemade Dijon salad dressing in a sealed jar and shake well before using.
Ingredient Notes
Mayonnaise: Creates the rich, creamy base and helps the dressing cling to lettuce and vegetables.
Greek yogurt or sour cream: Adds tang and lightens the dressing. Greek yogurt gives it a fresher taste, while sour cream makes it richer.
Fresh lemon juice: Brightens the creamy dressing. Freshly squeezed really does taste better here.
Dijon mustard: Gives this dressing its bold, savoury flavour and helps blend the ingredients together.
Honey: Balances the sharp mustard and lemon without making the dressing overly sweet.
Garlic: Use a small clove and grate it finely so there are no large pieces. Raw garlic becomes stronger as it sits.
Olive oil: Adds a smooth finish and rounds out the tangy flavours.
Water: Adjusts the consistency, making the dressing easy to drizzle over Cobb salad, chicken salad, or grain bowls.
Variations
- Use sour cream instead of Greek yogurt for a richer, thicker Creamy Dijon Dressing.
- Add extra honey for a sweeter honey Dijon salad dressing.
- Stir in chopped parsley, dill, or chives for a fresh herb variation.
- Add a pinch of cayenne or a few drops of hot sauce for a spicy Dijon dressing.
- For a lighter version, replace some of the mayonnaise with additional Greek yogurt.
- Add a little extra lemon juice for a brighter, tangier dressing. Taste as you go.
Storage Tips
Store this homemade Creamy Dijon Dressing in a clean, airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The dressing may thicken as it chills, so stir in a teaspoon of water before serving if needed. Give it a good shake or whisk because the ingredients can settle slightly. Do not freeze it, as the mayonnaise and yogurt may separate and become grainy.
Creamy Dijon Dressing
Equipment
- Medium mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Small whisk
- Fine grater or microplane
- Citrus juicer
- Airtight jar or dressing bottle
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 2 tbsp emon juice fresh l
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 garlic clove small and finely grated
- 2-3 tbsp water as needed
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Add the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, olive oil, honey, grated garlic, salt, and black pepper to a medium bowl.
- Whisk until the dressing is completely smooth and creamy.
- Add the water one tablespoon at a time, whisking after each addition, until the dressing reaches your preferred consistency. It thins fairly quickly, so add the water slowly.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning. Add a little more honey for sweetness, lemon juice for extra brightness, or Dijon mustard for a stronger tang.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for about 10 minutes to allow the garlic, lemon, and Dijon flavours to blend.
Notes
- Use plain Greek yogurt for a lighter Creamy Dijon Dressing or sour cream for a richer texture.
- Fresh lemon juice gives this homemade Dijon salad dressing the brightest flavour.
- Add water slowly, one tablespoon at a time, until the dressing is smooth and easy to drizzle.
- Finely grate the garlic so it blends evenly without leaving strong pieces.
- For a sweeter honey Dijon dressing, add an extra teaspoon of honey.
- Chill for 10 minutes before serving to let the lemon, garlic, and Dijon flavours blend.
- Store this easy creamy salad dressing in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Stir or shake well before serving, as the dressing may thicken slightly when chilled.
Nutrition
Ellen Britt
Hi, I’m Ellen — a passionate home cook dedicated to creating easy, flavorful recipes inspired by real-life cooking and shared family traditions. Every recipe on this site is a true collaboration, developed and tested together in our kitchen to ensure it’s reliable, simple to follow, and absolutely delicious.