If you’re looking for an easy way to brighten up your meals, this citrus dressing is a must-try. It comes together in just a few minutes and adds a fresh, tangy flavor to salads, grilled dishes, and more.
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What's great about this recipe
- Quick & easy – This vinaigrette comes together quickly using simple pantry ingredients.
- Versatile – Use it on salads, drizzle it over meats, try it as a dip for veggies, or as a marinade.
- Budget-friendly – Uses affordable, everyday ingredients you likely already have on hand.
Ingredients
- Extra virgin olive oil – Forms the base of the dressing, giving it a smooth texture and rich flavor.
- Apple cider vinegar – Adds a bright, tangy kick that balances the citrus.
- Orange marmalade – Provides a hint of sweetness and a concentrated citrus flavor that enhances the dressing. (Have extra? It’s wonderful in this orange beef recipe).
- Orange juice – Freshly squeezed juice offers the best flavor, but good-quality bottled juice works well too.
- Seasoning – A blend of salt, garlic powder, black pepper, ginger, and crushed red pepper enhances the dressing’s flavor, adding warmth and a slight kick.
How to make citrus dressing
- Add all the ingredients to a small jar with a tight-fitting lid or a large bowl.
- If using a jar, shake vigorously for about 30 seconds until the dressing is well combined and emulsified.
- If using a bowl, add all the ingredients except the olive oil, then pour it in slowly while whisking to help emulsify the dressing.
- Taste and adjust salt or seasoning as needed.
- Use immediately or store in the refrigerator for later use. Shake (or whisk) well before each use.
Substitutions and variations
- Ginger – I use powdered ginger for convenience since I always have some on hand, but if you have fresh ginger, use the same amount for a bolder flavor.
- Crushed red pepper – The crushed red pepper gives the dressing a slight kick, leave it out if you don’t like spicy.
- Vinegar swap – Swap apple cider vinegar for white wine vinegar or lemon juice for a different tang.
- Marmalade alternative – If you don’t have orange marmalade, use honey or maple syrup mixed with ½ teaspoon of orange zest to mimic its citrusy sweetness.
Serving Suggestions
This citrus dressing is a great way to add bright, tangy flavor to your meals. It's perfect for salads, grilled meats, and roasted veggies, but one of my favorite ways to enjoy it is in a fresh green salad with oranges, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes (pictured above).
Try it as a dip for raw vegetables or a finishing touch for grain bowls—its versatility makes it a staple you’ll want to keep on hand!
Storing instructions
- Refrigerator – Store in a sealed jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Separation is natural – Give it a good shake before using as the oil and vinegar will separate over time.
- If the oil solidifies – Let the dressing sit at room temperature for a few minutes until it softens. Shake well or whisk before using.
- Food safety – For more information on food storage and safety guidelines visit U.S. Department of Agriculture and foodsafety.gov.
Recipe tips and notes
- Use a jar to shake the dressing and emulsify the ingredients quickly. Mason jars are great for this—I use them for sauces like my chimichurri, dressings, or our versatile stir-fry sauce.
- For best flavor, use fresh orange juice, but good-quality bottled juice works if fresh oranges aren’t available.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning after mixing, especially the salt and acidity.
- To Use as a Marinade:
- Use regular olive oil instead of extra virgin.
- Works for 1 to 1½ pounds of meat (chicken, pork, or shrimp).
- Place the meat in a zip-top bag, pour the marinade over, and seal tightly.
- Marinate for at least 1 hour in the fridge (or up to 2 hours for more flavor).
- Discard leftover marinade after use.
Whether you're dressing a salad, drizzling it over grilled chicken, or using it as a veggie dip, this versatile vinaigrette has you covered. This citrus dressing is a great way to add fresh, tangy flavor to any meal. Try it out and let me know how it goes—I’d love to hear your take on it! Share your favorite ways to use it in the comments below!
Salad Favorites with Dressings You’ll Love
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📖 Recipe
Citrus Dressing
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Orange Juice freshly squeezed or good-quality bottled
- 1 tablespoon Orange Marmalade
- ¼ teaspoon Salt plus more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Ginger Powder
- Pinch of Crushed Red Pepper
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a small jar with a tight-fitting lid or a large bowl.
- If using a jar: Shake vigorously for about 30 seconds until the dressing is well combined and emulsified.
- If using a bowl: Add all the ingredients except the olive oil, then pour it in slowly while whisking to help emulsify the dressing.
- Taste and adjust the salt or seasoning as needed. As a reference, we did not add additional salt to ours.
- Use immediately or store in the refrigerator for later use. Shake or whisk well before each use.
Notes
- For best flavor, use fresh orange juice, but good-quality bottled juice works if fresh oranges aren’t available.
- Using a jar to shake the dressing is the easiest and quickest way to emulsify the ingredients. Mason jars work great for this.
Nutrition
The nutritional information above is computer generated and is only an estimate. There is no guarantee that it is accurate. This data is provided as a courtesy for informational purposes only.
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