Zaxby’s Citrus Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe

Hey, Welcome to the Zaxby’s Citrus Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe. Zaxby’s Citrus Vinaigrette Dressing is a sweet, tangy, and refreshing salad dressing made with citrus juice, honey, and seasonings.

If you’ve ever had this at a Caribbean family gathering or a festive dinner, you already know how irresistibly smooth and sweet it is.

I wanted to recreate that at home, and guess what? I nailed it! Today, I’m sharing the easiest way to make this delightful recipe right in your kitchen.

Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 6
Cuisine: American
Category: Dressing

History and Origin

Zaxby’s citrus vinaigrette became popular as a refreshing salad dressing in the southern United States.

It blends citrus punch with a sweet, tangy finish. It gained love for pairing perfectly with fried chicken salads and grilled bowls.

What does Zaxby’s Citrus Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe taste like?

It tastes bright, tangy, and sweet. You get fresh citrus notes, a smooth honey undertone, and a slight kick from mustard.

It feels light, fresh, and perfect with crunchy salads or grilled chicken bowls.

By the way, you can also try the Johnny Carino’s Skilletini Recipe.

Zaxby’s Citrus Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to start making the Best Zaxby’s Citrus Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe:

Ingredient	Quantity
Orange juice	1/3 cup
Lemon juice	2 tbsp
Honey	2 tbsp
Olive oil	1/2 cup
Dijon mustard	1 tsp
Garlic powder	1/2 tsp
Salt	1/4 tsp
Black pepper	1/4 tsp

Equipment Needed

Also, gather the following equipment, as they are necessary to craft your Easy Zaxby’s Citrus Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe:

• Mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Mason jar (optional)

How to Make Zaxby’s Citrus Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe

Step 1: Add citrus base

Pour orange juice and lemon juice into a bowl. Whisk well to combine.

Step 2: Add flavor

Add honey, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth.

Step 3: Add oil

Slowly pour olive oil while whisking. Keep mixing until the dressing turns glossy.

Step 4: Taste and adjust

Taste it. Add more honey for sweetness or lemon for tang. Mix again.

Step 5: Store

Pour into a jar. Close lid. Shake once before using.

Recipe Card

Nutritional Information

Below, I have listed the nutritional information for the Zaxby’s Citrus Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe:

Nutrient	Amount (per serving)
Calories	120 kcal
Fat	11 g
Carbs	6 g
Sugar	5 g
Protein	0 g
Sodium	95 mg

Serving Suggestions

Drizzle it over chicken salads, coleslaw, kale bowls, or roasted veggies. You can even use it as a marinade for grilled chicken or salmon.

I love adding it to crunchy romaine with dried cranberries and almonds. It tastes refreshing every time.

Storage Tips

Keep for up to seven days in the refrigerator in an airtight jar. Shake before serving because natural separation happens.

Do not freeze it. Use clean spoons every time to keep them fresh longer. It tastes best when chilled.

Why This Dressing Beats Store-Bought

Homemade always tastes fresher. This recipe uses clean ingredients, natural citrus, balanced sweetness, and zero preservatives.

You control the flavor, texture, and tang. It tastes smoother, brighter, and lighter than bottled dressings with no artificial aftertaste.

Best Salads to Pair With This Dressing

This dressing works best with crunchy and fresh salads. Try it with romaine, spinach, kale, garden greens, or slaw.

It pairs amazingly with nuts, fruits, grilled chicken, shrimp, salmon, and cheese. It adds a sweet citrus punch without overpowering other flavors.

Meal Prep Ideas Using This Dressing

Use this vinaigrette in weekly meal prep. Add to mason jar salads, grain bowls, or chicken boxes.

Drizzle over quinoa, roasted veggies, pasta salad, or fresh greens. Make a big batch on Sunday, and you’ll have flavorful, light, and refreshing meals all week long.

Substitutions You Can Try

You can replace lemon with lime or vinegar. Olive oil works great, but avocado oil is fine too. Swap honey for maple syrup or sugar.

Dijon can become yellow mustard. Garlic powder can turn into fresh garlic. Each option still keeps the dressing delicious.

Tips to Balance Flavor Like a Pro

Add honey if it’s too tangy. Add citrus if it feels too sweet. Add oil slowly if you want it silky. Taste multiple times while mixing.

Small tweaks make big changes. Balance is key. A perfect vinaigrette always tastes bright, smooth, and slightly sweet.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not pour oil quickly, or it may separate. Do not skip whisking, or it stays thin. Do not use strong oils that overpower citrus.

Do not freeze it. Always shake before use. Simple steps help keep it smooth, shiny, and full of fresh flavor.

Conclusion

Zaxby’s Citrus Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe is fast, fresh, and better than store-bought. You will love the sweet, tangy balance. Try it once, and you’ll keep making it. Tell me what you matched it with and how much you liked it.

With these words, we came to the end of this article. If you like this recipe, then please rate this post with 5 stars at the end of the FAQs section, and don’t forget to share it with your loved ones!

Happy Cooking!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

You will also like the honey BBQ chicken salad.