Easy Mediterranean Dressing (5-Minute Homemade)

This healthy homemade dressing has a bright, tangy, herb flavor. Drizzle it liberally over more than just salads—it’s equally delicious on grain and bean bowls, roasted vegetables, fish, and chicken. Made with simple pantry ingredients, it comes together in 5 minutes, making it an easy way to add fresh Mediterranean flavor to your meals.

I love having homemade dressing ready in the refrigerator—it makes pulling together a healthy salad so much easier. This dressing is delicious with baby greens, arugula, romaine, kale, or radicchio, and it really brings all the flavors together in my Mediterranean Chopped Salad. But it’s more than just a salad dressing. Use it as a sauce for grilled or roasted vegetables, a marinade for chicken or fish, or drizzle it over bean and grain bowls. I especially love it on my Cauliflower Buddha Bowl.

Why You’ll Love This Dressing

Plain vinegar and oil is a good simple dressing but adding in a few more ingredients elevates the taste with a delightful Mediterranean flavor. This dressing is healthier and tastes so much better than any store bought dressing and it’s easy to make.

• Ready in 10 minutes – Quick to whisk together with simple pantry ingredients.
• Bright and flavorful – Tangy red wine vinegar, herbs, and garlic create a delicious Mediterranean taste.
• Healthy – Made with heart-healthy olive oil and fresh or dried herbs.
• Incredibly versatile – Use it on salads, grain bowls, beans, vegetables, fish, and chicken.
• Better than store-bought – made with fresh real food ingredients, no preservatives or seed oils.
• Great for meal prep – Make a batch and enjoy it throughout the week.

Ingredients and Substitutions

This healthy Mediterranean dressing is made with simple pantry staples you likely already have on hand.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil – The rich, heart-healthy base that gives the dressing its silky texture and classic Mediterranean flavor.
• Red Wine Vinegar & Lemon Juice – Adds a bright, tangy flavor that balances the richness of the olive oil. I use both but you can use one or the other.
• Oregano – Dried or fresh, it’s a classic Mediterranean herb with medicinal properties and an earthy slightly peppery flavor. You can also use, thyme, basil and parsley.
• Dijon Mustard – Has a sophisticated, fruity tang and acts as an emulsifier. Any type of mustard you like can be substituted.
• Maple Syrup – A touch of natural sweetness to balance the acidity.
• Garlic – Adds bold, savory flavor and depth. Garlic powder can be used but won’t have as much flavor.
• Sea Salt & Pepper – Enhances and brings all the flavors together.

How To Make

This homemade Mediterranean dressing is very easy to make. Just measure the ingredients into a jar and shake it up. Use what you need and store the rest in the refrigerator. You can also whisk in in a bowl. This is how you do it:

In a small mason jar, add the vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon, maple syrup, garlic, salt, oregano and pepper. Secure the lid and shake vigorously to combine.

Remove the lid and add in the olive oil.

Secure the lid once again and shake vigorously until the oil is emulsified. Taste, and add additional salt if desired.

Storage

Store the dressing in the jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. The olive oil may solidify when chilled, which is completely normal. Simply let the dressing sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes and give it a good shake or whisk before serving.

How To Use Mediterranean Dressing

• Toss with green salads such as romaine, baby greens, arugula, kale, or radicchio.
• Dress grain bowls made with quinoa, brown rice, or cauliflower rice.
• Add flavor to bean salads with chickpeas, white beans, or lentils.
• Drizzle over roasted or grilled vegetables like zucchini cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, or sweet potatoes.
• Use as a marinade for chicken, fish, shrimp, or tofu.
• Finish cooked fish or chicken with a drizzle just before serving.
• Use as a sauce for Buddha bowls and grain bowls.
• Drizzle over sliced tomatoes and cucumbers for a simple Mediterranean side dish

More Healthy Homemade Salad Dressings

• Lemon Basil Dressing
• Carrot Ginger Dressing
• Pumpkin Seed Cilantro Dressing

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