This creamy Honey Lemon Vinaigrette is a vibrant, healthy twist on classic dressings, inspired by the popular Chick-fil-A apple cider vinaigrette served with their Kale Crunch Salad. Made with extra virgin olive oil, nonfat Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, and whole grain mustard, it delivers a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. At just 83 calories per serving, this lemon honey vinaigrette is naturally low sodium (32mg), low carb, and heart healthy. With only 1g saturated fat and a touch of protein from yogurt, it’s a lighter, homemade alternative to store-bought honey and mustard salad dressing recipes.
Try this creamy honey lemon vinaigrette with our Chicken Kale Crunch Salad, a high-protein version of Chick-fil-A’s popular Kale Crunch side. And for even more variety, enjoy this dressing with any of our high protein salad recipes to keep your meals balanced and flavorful.
Inspired by the tangy-sweet apple cider vinaigrette served with Chick-fil-A’s Kale Crunch Salad, this creamy honey lemon vinaigrette gives you a similar bold flavor with a lighter, healthier twist. It’s made with heart-healthy olive oil and nonfat Greek yogurt instead of mayo, keeping saturated fat to just 1 gram per serving. With only 83 calories and 32 milligrams of sodium per 2-tablespoon serving, it fits into low sodium, low fat, and low carb diets without sacrificing taste. The mix of honey, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar gives it a bright, balanced flavor, while whole grain mustard adds depth and a subtle tang and texture. It's a great way to dress up hearty greens like kale, use as a dip for raw veggies, or even drizzle over roasted vegetables.
Yes — this lemon honey vinaigrette is lower in sodium and saturated fat than most bottled dressings. It also includes Greek yogurt for added protein and uses healthy fats from olive oil.
Whisk together olive oil, plain Greek yogurt, honey, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, whole grain mustard, black pepper, and garlic powder. You don’t need a blender — just a bowl and a whisk will do the job in under 5 minutes.
This version combines extra virgin olive oil, Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, honey, fresh lemon juice, whole grain mustard, black pepper, and garlic powder.
Avoid using too much acid or sweetener — balance is key. Also, make sure to whisk thoroughly so the oil and vinegar emulsify and the dressing doesn’t separate quickly.
Absolutely. Apple cider vinegar adds a fruitier, more mellow acidity compared to white or red wine vinegar, and it pairs especially well with honey and mustard in salad dressing.
The Chick-fil-A version contains apple cider vinegar, honey, mustard, and oils, along with added preservatives and stabilizers. This creamy lemon vinaigrette dressing recipe gives you similar flavor with fewer additives and better nutrition.
Absolutely. This creamy lemon vinaigrette also works as a light marinade for chicken or fish, or as a drizzle over roasted vegetables and grain bowls.
Homemade honey lemon vinaigrette dressing recipes avoid preservatives, use fresh ingredients, and are lower in fat, sodium, and added sugars than most bottled options.
If you’re watching your salt but still want big flavor, these creamy, low sodium dressing recipes are worth trying. Check out our full guide to low sodium salad dressings for more tips and ideas.
Recipe yields 4 servings
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together all ingredients for the vinaigrette. Store in a mason jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Use low-fat or nonfat plain yogurt or silken tofu for a dairy-free option.
Try fresh lime juice or extra apple cider vinegar.
Organic Dijon mustard works great. Just reduce to 1½ teaspoons to keep the flavor balanced and the sodium low.
Add an extra ½ teaspoon of honey if your lemon is extra tart.
Use ¼ teaspoon of finely grated fresh garlic instead.
Swap the honey for maple syrup or agave nectar and choose a dairy-free yogurt like unsweetened soy or almond yogurt.
These light vinaigrettes work on more than just salad. Use them as dips for fresh veggies or marinades for grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu. Each one brings a unique flavor combo with simple, healthy ingredients.