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Citrus Vinaigrette with Thyme

W Whole30 EF Egg-Free GF Gluten-free GR Grain-Free VG Vegetarian DF Dairy-Free V Vegan P Paleo
5 mins
5 /5
11 Comments
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Stacie Hassing
By: Stacie Hassing Posted: 3/30/17

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This flavor-packed, Whole30-compliant Citrus Vinaigrette with Thyme comes together in minutes and is far healthier AND cheaper than store-bought dressings.

Citrus Vinaigrette with Thyme in a glass jar

Citrus Vinaigrette with Thyme will turn an ordinary salad into something extraordinary!

I love salads! Especially in the spring and summer when there’s an abundance of fresh an delicious veggies available. However, like most, I’m not a fan of boring and tasteless salads. I need variety, I need change and I need a dressing that’s delicious and healthy, too. This Citrus Vinaigrette with Thyme is one of my go-to’s. I love how the citrus flavors pairs perfectly with the thyme and garlic. In fact, we use a very similar dressing when making our popular Brussels Sprouts Salad as well as our Arugula Salad with apples, almonds, quinoa and goat cheese. This dressing is easy to make and will last in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. It also works well as a marinade for grilled chicken, salmon and cod. So good!

Add flavor to your salad with this @Whole30 Citrus Vinaigrette that comes together in minutes. Share on X
Citrus Vinaigrette with Thyme in a glass jar

If you’re trying to reduce your grocery bill? Give DIY dressings a try!

I do my best to stick to my monthly grocery budget that my husband and I have set. Making homemade dressings is one way I’ve been able to reduce my grocery bill. A bottle of healthy organic dressing that isn’t made with inflammatory oils can cost $5-10! While I do like the convenience and know that there are some really great options available, it’s one thing I’ve decided to make on my own at a much lower cost. Each weekend, as part of my meal prep, I make a couple of different salad dressings and store them in a mason jar in the fridge to enjoy throughout the week.

Citrus Vinaigrette with Thyme in a glass jar

Chock full of healthy fats.

Making homemade dressings gives you full control over what kind of oils you use as store-bought dressings are often made with cheap, inflammatory, highly-processed oil. No thanks! I recommend extra virgin olive oil and avocado oil. Both are extremely healthy, anti-inflammatory oils that do the body good. In addition, fats are needed to absorb the fat-soluble nutrients that are present in vegetables so tossing a salad in a healthy, homemade dressing is always recommended. Fat-free dressings are just plain wrong….and bad tasting.

Get 10% off on our favorite Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil by using coupon code: realfoodrds

Avocado Oil

One bottle of avocado oil will make about 30 servings of dressing!

Citrus Vinaigrette with Thyme on a spoon dripping on a salad

Interested in learning our tips-and-trick on how to build a healthy salad?

Subscribe to our mailing list as we’ll be sending out a “How to Build a Healthy Salad” guide soon!

And if you’re looking for additional homemade dressing recipes to add to the mix, we’ve got you covered with our Paleo Ranch, Tzatziki, Strawberry Champagne dressings!

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Citrus Vinaigrette with Thyme
Recipe
5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 2 reviews

Citrus Vinaigrette with Thyme

Prep: 5 minsTotal: 5 mins
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Servings: 1 1/4 cup 1x

Ingredients

  • 1 orange, juiced (~1/3 cup)
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • 1 tsp. orange zest
  • 1 1/2 tsp. fresh thyme (or 1/2 tsp. dried thyme)
  • 1 tsp. dijon mustard (whole30 compliant) or yellow mustard
  • 1 tsp. honey or maple syrup (OMIT for Whole30)
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced (or 1 Tbsp. finely minced shallots)
  • Sea salt and pepper to taste
  • 2/3 cup avocado oil or olive oil

Instructions

  1. In a small food processor or blender, add all of the ingredients and blend until well combined. May also whisk ingredients together.
  2. **Because no vinegar is used in this recipe, using a blender or food processor really helps to emulsify the ingredients so that they stay blended. You may need to run the dressing under warm water if oil solidifies and then give it a good shake to mix.

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Notes

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Nutrition Information

  • Serving Size: 2 Tbsp. (1/10th of recipe)
  • Calories: 139
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Sodium: 50 mg
  • Carbohydrate: 1 g
  • (Sugar: 1 g)
  • Protein: 0 g

Dietary

Dairy-FreeEgg-FreeGluten-freeGrain-FreePaleoVeganVegetarianWhole30
© The Real Food Dietitians
Recipe By: The Real Food Dietitians

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Stacie Hassing

Stacie Hassing

Stacie is a Licensed and Registered Dietitian from rural southern Minnesota where she, her husband and three children reside with their dog. She’s a co-founder of The Real Food RDs and content creator of simple and wholesome recipes. She loves all kinds of fitness and has a passion to inspire as many as she can live a healthier and happier life both in and out of the kitchen - the driving force behind the co-development of the The Real Food RDs brand.

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Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

  1. AvatarRicardo Monteiro says

    Posted on 7/18/22 at 6:05 pm

    Greetings from Brazil!

    I made this recipe more than once – it has been a success since the first time. Today, besides the salad, my wife tried it on some homemade pasta, and she loved it!

    I took the liberty to translate your recipe to my blog – seguidordereceitas.com.br – with a link to the original, of course

    Thanks again, and congratulations,

    Reply
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