Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing [Dairy-Free]
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Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing [Dairy-Free]
Say hello to our tangy Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing! With its refreshing citrus flavor and delightful poppy seed crunch, this creamy dressing takes your salad game to the next level. It's a totally dairy-free vibrant dressing that bursts with fresh flavor! Completely Vegan!
I'm all about poppy seeds – they add such a fun crunch to everything! From sweet treats like Lemon Poppy Seed Donuts to savory delights like my homemade everything bagel seasoning, I've used them in all sorts of recipes--- I even throw them into smoothies, like my Immune-Boosting Strawberry Banana Poppyseed Smoothie. But recently, I decided it was time to try something new, and I was craving a burst of lemony freshness so I whipped up this quick + easy Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing, and y'all----- It is AMAZING.
Sometimes, you just need that extra oomph to take your salad or grain bowl to the next level. A little creaminess, richness, or sweetness can go a long way, and this Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing has got it all. Perfectly tangy + zingy, this dressing is healthy, dairy-free and seriously delicious. Plus you can make it ahead for meal prep for the week, and it takes only 5 minutes to whip up! It's A win-win.
If you love a little pop of lemon try out my Best Lemon Pepper Chicken Chopped Salad, Creamy White Bean Lemon Orzo Soup, and Lemon Pepper Cauliflower Wings next up!
Jump to:
- Why You Will LOVE Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing
- How To Make Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing
- Ingredients
- How To Use Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing?
- Do Poppy Seeds Have Any Health Benefits?
- Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing Q + A's
- Dive Into More Homemade Sauces + Dressings
- MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
- Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing [Dairy-Free]
Why You Will LOVE Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing
- Creamy + totally luscious in texture
- Bursting with refreshing lemon flavor
- Delightfully crunchy thanks to poppy seeds
- Adds a zesty kick to salads, grain bowls + more.
- Perfect balance of tangy + sweet notes
- So quick & easy! Ready in just 5 minutes!
- And best of all... it's downright delicious!
How To Make Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing
With just a handful of simple ingredients and a quick blend in a good high-powered blender, you can create a rich + luscious creamy lemon poppy seed dressing/sauce that's perfect for grain bowls, salads, sandwiches, and much more! Trust me, once you try it, you'll wonder how you ever survived without it.
Ingredients
LEMON POPPY SEED DRESSING:
- Vegan mayonnaise. I love using Follow Your Heart Veganaise. It is super creamy and smooth but feel free to add your fave if you prefer.
- Lemon. Freshly-squeezed.
- Almond milk. Helps to make the sauce creamier. You can use your fave plant-based milk. Learn how to make homemade almond milk!
- Pure maple syrup. This adds a little sweetness and helps balance out the flavors.
- White wine vinegar. You can also use apple cider vinegar instead.
- Poppyseeds. These are usually sold in the spice or baking aisle of the grocery store.
- Mustard powder. Adds a tangy kick + depth of flavor.
- Sea salt. To balance out the flavor.
SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS DRESSING!
Here, I’ve curated a list of baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite dishes, especially with this Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing. Everything from whisks, blenders, knives, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
How To Use Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing?
Having this lemon poppy seed dressing on hand is a game-changer for any kitchen! It's perfect for tossing with a salad like this chopped kale salad or adding a flavorful punch to a grain bowl. You can easily substitute it for the dressing/sauce in any of these salad + grain bowl recipes:
GRAIN BOWLS
- Vegan Fall Harvest Farro Bowl
- Easy Green Goddess Buffalo Chicken Bowl
- Maple Chili Sweet Potato Bowl
- Savory Chickpea Quinoa Buddha Bowl
- Healthy Pesto Buddha Bowl
- Vegan Jamaican Power Bowl
SALADS
- Best Lemon Pepper Chicken Chopped Salad
- Ultimate Summer BBQ Chopped Kale Salad
- The Best Buffalo Chickpea Kale Salad
- Spicy Honey Glazed Salmon Salad
Don't let any leftover dressing go to waste—try using it as a dipping sauce! It's fantastic with fries, chicken wings, or cauliflower wings/bites, offering a tangy Asian-flavored twist. Additionally, it would make a delicious sauce for tacos like these Jerk Salmon Tacos + burgers, adding an extra layer of flavor to your favorite dishes!
Do Poppy Seeds Have Any Health Benefits?
Poppy seeds pack quite a punch in the health department! Here's why they're amazing:
- Packed with nutrients --- They're loaded with good stuff like calcium, magnesium, and zinc, which are all crucial for keeping your bones strong and your body running smoothly.
- Antioxidant loaded --- They're full of antioxidants that help your body fight off inflammation and keep you feeling great.
- Good for digestion --- Thanks to their high fiber content, poppy seeds keep your digestive system happy + humming along nicely.
- Sleep --- If you're having trouble catching Z's, poppy seeds might help. They've got compounds that can help regulate your sleep patterns and improve the quality of your shut-eye.
- Glowing skin + hair --- With goodies like zinc and vitamin E, poppy seeds can give you that healthy, radiant glow from head to toe.
In a nutshell, adding a sprinkle of poppy seeds to your meals can be an easy + tasty way to give your health a little boost!
Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing Q + A's
Add the dressing to your favorite mason jar or tightly sealed container and refrigerate for 7-10 days for optimal freshness.
Yes, this recipe is gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free mayo.
Yup! In fact, this sauce can benefit from some time in the fridge to allow the flavors to meld together. You can make it a few days ahead of time and store it in the fridge until you're ready to use it. Just give it a good stir before serving.
Absolutely! If you're not following a vegan or dairy-free diet, you can use regular mayonnaise in your homemade poppy seed dressing recipe. Traditional mayonnaise works perfectly well and will give you that classic creamy texture and flavor.
Yes! To make this more of a dressing for salads, etc. you can add more milk to make it more like a drizzle. I would add about ½ cup milk as a substitute for the original amount.
Absolutely! This recipe makes enough for 2 servings, however, for more or a larger batch simply double or triple the ingredients.
Dive Into More Homemade Sauces + Dressings
Check out these mouthwatering sauce/dressing recipes that your whole family will love, especially after trying the delicious Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing recipe!
- Homemade Green Goddess Dressing
- Roasted Garlic Olive Oil Dip
- Jalapeno Ranch Sauce
- Spicy Restaurant Style Salsa
- Homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning
- Vegan Ranch Dressing
- Creamy Chipotle Dressing
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you tried this Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!
Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing [Dairy-Free]
Ingredients
DRESSING:
- 1 cup vegan mayonnaise
- 1 lemon, freshly-squeezed
- 2 Tbsps Almond milk (You can use your fave plant-based milk)
- 2-3 Tbsps pure maple syrup
- 2 Tbsps white wine vinegar (You can also use apple cider vinegar instead)
- 2 Tbsps poppyseeds
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
TO MAKE THE DRESSING:
- Add the vegan mayo, milk, maple syrup, white wine vinegar, lemon juice, poppyseeds, mustard powder, and salt, and whisk until everything becomes smooth and creamy.
- Add dressing to your favorite mason jar or tightly sealed container and refrigerate for 7-10 days for optimal freshness.
- Bon Appetit!
Nutrition
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