I Can’t Stop (Won’t Stop) Making Ina Garten’s Lemon Vinaigrette

Why I Love Ina’s Lemon Vinaigrette

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been making a makeshift salad for dinner by pulling out a couple of handfuls of fresh, prewashed arugula from a plastic container, drizzling it with olive oil, squeezing a little fresh lemon juice over it, seasoning it with salt and pepper, and gently tossing it together. It does the trick, but sometimes the arugula is too tangy, salty, or oily, and I’m the only one who ends up eating it. I don’t know why I never made an effort to make a balanced vinaigrette to keep on hand, except that my method always seemed to be part of an ingrained habit or routine.

How I Fell in Love with Ina’s Lemon Vinaigrette

Luckily, my fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants-style salads changed after I made Ina Garten’s Lemon Vinaigrette and used the leftovers as a marinade for chicken cutlets. Instead of thinking of a simple vinaigrette as a one-trick pony, I saw it as an endlessly helpful kitchen ingredient that could give life to a whole host of dishes.

The Magic of Ina’s Lemon Vinaigrette

Of course, Ina’s lemon vinaigrette is the reason I now look forward to eating salad almost every day – even if it comes in the form of a couple of handfuls of arugula. But this zesty wonder has become a champion in meal prep. First off, it’s ridiculously simple. It’s just four ingredients – olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. These are the same ones I was using before, but Ina has perfected the ratios, which makes all the difference.

The Power of Versatility

There’s a reason those everyday ingredients are frequently used together. The bright and fresh combination can elevate even the most boring dishes. I’ve been making it for so long now that I can eyeball everything into a Mason jar, shake it all together, and it’s done! It’s like the vinaigrette equivalent of putting on leggings – it’s effortless, but it makes you feel put together.

Benefits of Ina’s Lemon Vinaigrette

Unlike many store-bought dressings, this vinaigrette is made from simple, nourishing ingredients. Its biggest component, olive oil, is a staple of the Mediterranean diet. Olive oil is a superstar monounsaturated fat associated with benefits like lessening inflammation, protecting against heart disease, supporting healthy aging, and reducing cancer risk, to name a few. Lemon juice, the next most significant component in this dressing, is full of vitamin C, which acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells and support the immune system.

Tips for Making Ina’s Vinaigrette

If you’re keen to use this as a meal-prep tool – and you should – it can be stored in the fridge for up to a week. If the olive oil solidifies (which happens in cold temperatures), just let it stand at room temperature for a few minutes and revert to tip No. 2. Fresh lemon juice is best, as the bottled stuff lacks the bright, zesty flavor of a fresh lemon that makes this vinaigrette what it is.

How to Riff on Ina’s Lemon Vinaigrette

Now that you’ve mastered making this vinaigrette, let’s talk about all the delicious ways you can riff on it. While Ina’s recipe is perfect as it is, it’s also an excellent base for experimenting, like a choose-your-own-adventure book for your taste buds.

FAQs

Q: What makes Ina’s Lemon Vinaigrette so special?
A: It’s ridiculously simple, made from just four ingredients – olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper – and its balanced ratios make all the difference.

Q: What are some ways to riff on Ina’s Lemon Vinaigrette?
A: You can add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard or honey to give it a creamier texture and flavor profile, or blend in fresh herbs like parsley or basil to transform it into a sauce for grilled meat, veggies, and fish.

Q: Can I use this vinaigrette as a marinade?
A: Absolutely! Ina uses it as a marinade for chicken cutlets, and it’s also great for vegetables, fish, and other proteins.

Q: How long does Ina’s Lemon Vinaigrette keep?
A: It can be stored in the fridge for up to a week, or you can freeze it for longer storage.

Conclusion

Ina’s Lemon Vinaigrette is the ultimate kitchen shortcut – it’s simple, versatile, and so flavorfully bright and tangy that it’s been known to convert even the most die-hard salad skeptics. So, it’s time to channel your inner Barefoot Contessa and whip up a batch. As Ina would say: "How easy is that?"