Creamy Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing

Name: Creamy Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil; 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice; 1 tablespoon honey; 1 teaspoon poppy seeds; 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 pinch black pepper

A bright and zesty homemade dressing that brings life to any fresh green salad.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 American· July 21, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

5 minutes

Cook

0 minutes

Total

5 minutes

Serves

There is nothing quite like a homemade dressing to make your salad stand out. This lemon poppy seed version is a favorite in my kitchen because it is light, refreshing, and comes together in just a few minutes using basic pantry staples.

Since this recipe does not use any mayonnaise, it keeps the flavor clean and tangy. I love keeping a jar of this in the fridge for quick lunches throughout the week.

🧺 Ingredients

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon poppy seeds
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 pinch black pepper

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Combine the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl or a glass jar.
2
Whisk the ingredients together vigorously until the dressing is smooth and well combined. If you are using a jar, simply screw the lid on tightly and shake it well.
3
Stir in the poppy seeds last so they stay evenly distributed throughout the dressing.
4
Taste your dressing and add a little more honey if you prefer it sweeter, or a pinch more salt to balance the acidity.
5
Serve immediately over your favorite mixed greens or store it for later use.

💡 Tips

Store this dressing in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to one week. The oil may solidify slightly when chilled, so just let it sit on the counter for ten minutes and give it a good shake before you pour it over your salad.

#salad dressing #vegetarian #gluten free #healthy #homemade

Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.