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Add a little delicious sunshine to your life with this bright, fresh Whole Lemon Thyme Salad Dressing. There are tons of other ways to use it too!
Anyone out there in need of a little culinary pizzazz? I can assure you that this vibrant Whole Lemon Thyme Salad Dressing will add lots of bright freshness to your daily menus! It's not only wonderful on salads but there are lots of other delicious ways to use it too.
A small article in Bon Appetit magazine titled "A Sunny Dressing" caught my eye a while back. The recipe was intriguing as it called for using the whole lemon - yes, peel, pith and fruit! Being a lover of anything lemon, I couldn't wait to try this unique dressing.
I added lots of fresh thyme to the recipe and decided to call it Whole Lemon Thyme Salad Dressing. It comes together quickly and Bon Appetite's description was accurate - it looks like a pretty jar of sunshine! And the first little taste confirmed things; wow, such vibrant, delicious flavor! I love how it has little chunks of lemon in every bite!
Lots of ways to use this Whole Lemon Thyme Salad Dressing
Since then I've realized that perhaps Whole Lemon Thyme Salad Dressing might not be the best name, as it's so much more than just a salad dressing. Honestly, the sky's the limit as far as ways to use it. Here are a few I've already discovered.
- It's wonderful drizzled on grilled or roasted meats.
- It brings a delicious freshness to roasted veggies.
- I've served it as a dipping sauce to go with roasted shrimp.
- Add a spoonful to a bowl of cooked quinoa - stir it all together and the humble grain will be taken to a whole new level of deliciousness.
- The same thing is true with other grains like farro, barley and rice.
- Another idea! Place a big scoop of mayo in a bowl and add a generous spoonful of this Lemon Thyme Salad Dressing and whisk it all together for a fabulous lemon aioli. It's wonderful to spread on sandwiches and wraps, etc.
- The aioli above also makes a delicious dipping sauce for raw veggies.
- Check out this Roasted Shrimp, Tomato and White Bean Salad with... yup, you guessed it! Lemon Thyme Salad Dressing!
See what I mean? I have a feeling, once you try this wonderful condiment, you will find lots of ways to bring sunny delightfulness into your kitchen too.
Café Tips for making this Lemon Thyme Salad Dressing
- Since the whole lemon is used for this dressing, use an organic lemon that hasn't been subject to chemicals and insecticides. If organic lemons aren't available, be sure to wash the lemon well before using.
- Use the sharpest knife you have to slice the lemons nice and thin. If you're in the market for new knives, I love these Global knives. I've had mine for years and it doesn't take much to bring them back to razor sharp.
Add a little delicious sunshine to your life with this bright, fresh Lemon Thyme Salad Dressing.
- 1 small lemon* washed well and dried
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 2 medium cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, roughly chopped
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
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Cut both ends off of lemon and discard. Thinly slice lemon, discarding seeds as you go. Finely chop lemon slices and place in a small jar with a tight fitting lid.
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Add all other ingredients and shake well. That's it, enjoy!
Adapted from Bon Apetit
*If you can find organic lemons, I would recommend them, since you're using the entire lemon.
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Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love this light and bright dressing, so perfect with your roasted shrimp salad!
Chris Scheuer says
They are a great match Laura!
Michele says
After a 24 hour set in the fridge, I used this tonight on fresh roasted asparagus as a drizzle...oh my goodness! It was fresh and tart and flavorful and delicious! We LOVED this! I have packed up some of this dressing to go with our ski lunch at Kirkwood for tomorrow- celery, carrots and cherry tomatoes, cheese chunks, rye bread, crackers and saprosetta chunks. We always carry a backpack and water for a quick ski lunch- tomorrow is a little further afield (only 25 minutes away) but it will be delicious nonetheless with this dressing for dipping !! Thank you!!!
Chris Scheuer says
It all sounds wonderful Michele! Enjoy the dressing!
Donna says
Can you do this dressing in the food processor or blender to keep from having to do all of that tiny chopping?
Karen C says
I love this salad dressing, Made it today and the little bits of lemon are awesome, after they have marinated a few hours. We have a mature lemon tree and we just picked the last of the lemons for a total of 1096..yes that is the correct number. I have frozen bags of lemon cubes in two freezers. We still have two five gallon buckets full of lemons and one huge basket that have not been counted. So bring on the lemon recipes. I have learned that you can put lemon and lime wedges in recipes and they cook up to a sweet, tangy bite. I am loving it.!
Thanks Chris for the wonderful recipes.
Chris Scheuer says
You're so welcome Karen! And am I jealous! I've been sending Scott out to the store for lemons several times a week lately. What we wouldn't give for a lemon tree in the back yard! Do a search here on the Café for lemon and I think you'll come up with a pile of lemon recipes - one of our favorite fruits!
Kathy says
I'm a little confused. You chop up a whole lemon ( which is full of juice) and also add a 1/4 cup of lemon juice? Or does the 1/4 cup of lemon juice come from the lemon you are cutting up?
Chris Scheuer says
Yup, it's loaded with lemon and lemon juice Kathy!
suzi says
this is so fresh and alive on my salad today! i added a teeny bit of dijon and white balsamic 🙂 and after a bite i thought, wow what a perfect marriage this would be with a greek salad. a bit of feta and olives atop those crunchy greens. YUM so GOOD!!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Suzi! I think our brains work the same way!
Michele says
I made this today and it's setting out overnight for use tomorrow...I LOVE lemon dressings, and since I just harvested 4 Meyer's Lemons from my dwarf tree (sitting in the living room since we got snow last night) I am happy to use this for lunch tomorrow! Thanks Chris!
Chris Scheuer says
Have at it Michele! Let me know how it turns out!
Archana says
I want to eat that whole thing right now, these look so good!
Chris Scheuer says
It's really delicious Archana! Enjoy!
cheri says
Hi Chris, sounds like you keep Scott on his toes, especially concerning the weather, that's funny. Love what citrus does to dressing, this is wonderful.
Chris Scheuer says
We definitely keep each other on our toes Cheri! That's what makes it fun and funny!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
The whole lemon and it wasn't bitter? I'm going to try this. We have been 'salading' all week and John announced last night that his dressing was gone and he was sick of it. I've got some lemons so I'll give this a try for tonight.
Chris Scheuer says
I think you'll love it Maureen! It's so refreshing!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
This is a perfect dressing and so great that it's so versatile, too! I does remind me of warm sunshine, too, which is always welcome 🙂 As for us, we have threat of snow until end of April, so my soup days will be going on for a bit yet.
Chris Scheuer says
Coming originally from the Midwest, I can sympathize with you Jennifer!
Kate says
It is fun to have a dressing that is versatile! Your dressing sounds wonderful and it would help me use up the bowls of lemons that I have. It was time to harvest all of the lemons....and now it is time to get to work!
Chris Scheuer says
Oooh! I'd love to be in a place where I could have lemons out my back door! It's a little too cool here in North Carolina for that!
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You says
An wow combination of flavors... The perfect dressing for seafood, vegetables, and also pasta salads.
Chris Scheuer says
It is Denise, my mind is whirling with all the ways I can think of using it!
Anne@ASaladForAllSeasons says
Beautiful dressing, Chris! I can see lots of uses for this! Though for me, I could eat a fabulous dressing on a bunch of butter lettuce! This is the hope of spring in a jar!
Chris Scheuer says
That's a great way to put it Anne!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
This dressing looks like spring Chris! How refreshingly beautiful. I can almost taste it - thank you and I have checked the wrong weather after traveling - so funny!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Tricia! Wait till you see the salad that goes with it!
Sandra says
Very refreshing and spring-like! I would gladly share some of this snow with you if I could. 20+ inches over the last two weeks. We are officially tapping out!
Chris Scheuer says
Oh Sandra! That's a lot. You need some spring cheer!
TheKitchenLioness says
Dear Chris, you can never go wrong with a fresh, bright, sunny salad dressing with one of my favorite herbs, thyme - what a wonderful recipe and what delightful pictures, full of the hope of spring and sunshine soon...
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much Andrea! It truly is a little ray of hope after the long months of winter!
Debra Eliotseats says
We have used NO snow days this year at school so I am so looking forward to a few long weekends in May (when we can use said snow days!)!!!! I am so looking forward to making this dressing, too. Glad you had the wrong forecast! 🙂
Chris Scheuer says
Long weekends sounds like fun Debra!
Muna Kenny says
Sounds delicious Chris! I'm saving this recipe to try it with my green salad 🙂
Chris Scheuer says
You'll love it Muna!
Marigene says
For us lemon lovers this has to be paradise! I will make the dressing and anxiously await the salad recipe...
Chris, your presentation makes it easy for Chris to get such fabulous shots.
Enjoy the weekend.
Chris Scheuer says
That's so sweet Marigene! Scott and I really work hard on the styling and photos, but since we eat first with our eyes, it's that important!
Jo Anne T.. says
MMMM, a new favorite salad dressing!
Chris Scheuer says
You'll love it Jo Anne!
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
I would hoard this stuff, it sounds incredible--- little bits of lemon in every bite is my kind of bite!!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Sue!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
What a fabulous dressing! I love the use of whole lemon, Chris.
Chris Scheuer says
It's bursting with flavor Angie, I think you'll love it!
Wendy says
I am imagining the taste and smell of springtime in this versatile dressing! You have inspired me to 1. plant some fresh thyme along with my basil this spring 2. mix up a jar of this asap! I have experienced the same weather mixup numerous times! My Accuweather app is set to tell me my temp in St. Louis, my mom's temp in South Carolina, and my son's temp in Chicago. Confusion (up or down) is often the result. 😉
Chris Scheuer says
I'm relieved to know someone else does that Wendy! Because thyme is so hardy, Scott has already started a plant in his deck herb pots! Now I just have to restrain myself from giving it a haircut before it even has a chance to establish!
Madonna says
You make the best dressings. I would use this for potato salad and tuna salad too.
Chris Scheuer says
Excellent ideas Madonna!