Tested and perfected Mediterranean Salad Dressing with extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, fresh garlic and honey that's perfectly balanced--so much better than bottled! Beyond leveling up your greens, it's the secret to my Mediterranean quinoa salad and even doubles as a delish chicken marinade. The best part is it comes together in minutes!
This recipe stars all my favorite ingredients in a bright, tangy (and not too oily!) salad dressing. That's precisely why it tastes amazing on EVERYTHING. It helps boost our veggie intake like no other! And honestly I always have the ingredients on hand.
If you've had the pleasure of enjoying salad doused in my apple cider vinegar salad dressing, you know homemade salad dressings are kind of my thing. And they don't have to be hard!
The secret is balancing the vinegar to oil ratio, and this dressing leans acidic by design. To me, a dressing with lots of oil and a smidge of vinegar is a hard no. I want it to bring my salad to life, not weigh it down! This recipe nails it.
5-Star Reader Reviews ★★★★★
"Amazing chicken marinade and salad dressing. It will be a staple in my home!" --Lora
"Perfect dressing for roasted veg and baked salmon. Packed with flavor. I had never thought to add any sweetener to my Greek dressing but I think that's the key to this dressing." --Roni
"Thank you for this dressing! I use it in my garden salad, quinoa salads and sometimes drizzle it on my chicken or fish, lol. It's SO good! " --Elaine
Behind the scenes of recipe testing
- I developed this recipe to star quality extra virgin olive oil because the intense, fruity flavor elevates every other ingredient in the dressing. To me, using a neutral oil in Greek dressing is a big no-no. Why pass on on that supreme flavor and all those heart-healthy fats?
- I tested this recipe with other vinegars but red wine vinegar was the clear winner for sharp, fruity tang and Mediterranean flavor.
- Most Mediterranean dressings don't call for sugar but to me, a good squeeze of honey is non-negotiable to round out the flavors and balance everything. Don't skip it!
Let's make it!
Troubleshooting to make it your own
This dressing has a higher vinegar to oil ratio, and while I think it's perfect as is, you can totally tweak it to suit your tastebuds!
- Too sour? You can up to double the oil in this recipe for a less acidic dressing. Start by adding 2 tbsp more oil and ½ tsp sweetener and taste.
- Want lemon? Use 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 2 tbsp red wine vinegar.
- Want more zing? 2 tbsp finely chopped shallot adds delicious sharp flavor.
- Want more herbs? 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley or basil are amazing.
- Not sweet enough? Double to honey or maple syrup!
I hope you're as obsessed with this fun recipe as I am!
I'd be super grateful if you'd take a moment to leave a quick star rating and review below. Comments mean the world to me and your honest feedback helps me to continue to share recipes you'll crave!
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5-Minute Mediterranean Salad Dressing
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salads
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Tested and perfected Mediterranean Salad Dressing with extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, fresh garlic and honey that's perfectly balanced--so much better than bottled! Beyond leveling up your greens, it's the secret to my Mediterranean quinoa salad and even doubles as a delish chicken marinade. The best part is it comes together in minutes!
Ingredients
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 ½ tsp honey or pure maple syrup
- 1 ½ tsp dried oregano
- 1 clove garlic, minced (or ½ tsp garlic powder)
- ¾ tsp fine salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Whisk vinegar, honey, oregano, garlic, salt and pepper in a small to medium bowl. Pour in olive oil while whisking to combine. Taste and adjust to suit your preferences.
- Store in a jar or sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Shake well before using.
Notes
This dressing is more tangy than classic vinaigrettes, as it has a higher vinegar to oil ratio. If you prefer a less acidic dressing, try adding 2 tbsp more oil and ½ tsp sweetener!
Lora says
Amazing chicken marinade and salad dressing. It will be a staple in my home!
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
So glad it worked out, thanks Lora!
Lora says
Thinking about using this as a chicken marinade, what do you think?
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
I would cut back the vinegar by a tbsp and add additional kosher salt, but yes!
Rose Vacek says
I’m going on the Mediterranean diet and this will be my salad dressing,
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
Hope you love! Any extra virgin oil based dressing is prefect, so be sure to check out my balsamic and Italian as well!
Kaye says
I can't wait to try these dressing. I am new to the Mediterranean diet so im learning. Great easy to follow directions.
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
Hope you love it! If you could hold off on rating it 4/5 stars until you’ve tasted it I’d really appreciate it!
Sarah says
Amazing recipe!
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
Thank you Sarah!
Roni says
Perfect dressing for roasted veg and baked salmon. Packed with flavour but I still added a few chili flakes and a squeeze of lemon out of habit. I had never thought to add any sweetener to my Greek dressing but I think that's the key to this dressing. Putting this in the "w" column!
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
Isn't it crazy how much some sugar helps balance everything? So glad it was a hit!
Elaine Hough says
Hello! Thank you for your 5-Minute Mediterranean Salad Dressing! I use it in my garden salad, quinoa salads and sometimes drizzle it on my chicken or fish, lol. It's SO good! I will be trying some more of your recipes for sure! You have a new follower!
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
I'm so thrilled to hear it, Elaine! You made my day 🙂
al says
delicious but mine separated overnight and has clumps when i shake it, how do i avoid that?
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
That’s the winterization of olive oil, when it solidified in the fridge, totally normal! You can set it out at room temp or heat it for 10 seconds in the microwave to get the oil liquid again. Enjoy!
Diane c says
I made this recipe a couple weeks ago, it is delicious and healthy! I’m making it again tonight. I doubled the recipe and lasts me two weeks. Thank you!
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
That made my day, thank you so much Diane!
Linda says
Very delicious on our quinoa salad today.
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
Love it, thanks for letting me know Linda!
Gerald J Donaghy says
delicious 😋 , quick, and easy to prepare too !
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
So glad, thanks Gerald!
Rosy says
Richard Jones says
Awesome thank u
Alexis Joseph says
So glad you liked it!
Dylan says
All of your salad dressings are fabulous! This one is so easy but packs such a flavor punch 🙂
Alexis Joseph says
Yayyy so glad!