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Creamy Lemon-Garlic Dressing

Creamy Lemon-Garlic Dressing
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Creamy Lemon-Garlic Dressing

Creamy Lemon-Garlic Dressing

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The original family card listed only mayonnaise, water, lemon juice, garlic powder, and optional dill – without a single measurement. The approved final preserves those exact ingredients and turns the shorthand into a practical small batch that an inexperienced cook can actually reproduce.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Servings: 0.75 cup
Course: Pareve Dressing
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup Mayonnaise (115 g)
  • 2 Tbsp Water (30 mL), plus more only if needed
  • 1 Tbsp Fresh lemon juice (15 mL)
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1 Dried dill tsp, optionaloptional

Equipment

  • Small bowl or jar
  • Whisk or fork
  • Measuring spoons and cup

Method
 

  1. Place the mayonnaise in a small bowl.
  2. Add the water, lemon juice, and garlic powder. Add the dried dill if using.
  3. Whisk until completely smooth.
  4. Taste before adding anything else; mayonnaise already contributes salt and acidity varies by brand.
  5. For a thinner dressing, whisk in additional water 1 teaspoon at a time. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

Notes

Recipe #170
Category: Pareve Dressing
Yield: About 3/4 cup
Method: Whisk
Prep: About 5 minutes
Cook: None
Difficulty: Very easy
Recipe Details
Kosher: Pareve. Texture: Creamy and pourable. Flavor: Mild lemon, savory garlic, and optional dill.
A Reconstructed Family Shorthand
Because the old card did not record measurements, this version intentionally starts small. The ratios can be doubled easily after you know how thick and lemony you like it.
What a Beginner Should Look For
The dressing should pour in a slow ribbon from a spoon and lightly coat lettuce. There should be no dry garlic-powder pockets or mayonnaise lumps.
Thin It Slowly
Two tablespoons of water gives a pourable starting point. Different mayonnaise brands vary in thickness, so add any extra water a teaspoon at a time.
Dill Is Optional
The family note specifically marked dill optional. Leave it out for a clean lemon-garlic dressing, or add it when you want a more herby flavor.
Beginner Tips
  • Use fresh lemon juice for the cleanest flavor.
  • Whisk garlic powder into the liquid thoroughly so it does not clump.
  • Taste before adding salt; many mayonnaise brands are already well seasoned.
  • Chill for 15-30 minutes if possible to let the garlic hydrate.
  • Double the recipe only after you know the consistency you prefer.
Troubleshooting
Dressing is too thick: Add water 1 teaspoon at a time. Dressing is too thin: Whisk in another tablespoon of mayonnaise. Too lemony: Add 1-2 tablespoons more mayonnaise. Garlic powder tastes harsh: Let the dressing rest refrigerated for 15-30 minutes, then taste again.
Variations
  • Add the optional dried dill for an herb version.
  • Add a pinch of black pepper.
  • Use slightly less water to turn it into a creamy vegetable dip.
Make Ahead, Storage & Freezing
Refrigerate tightly covered up to 5 days. Stir before serving. Do not freeze; mayonnaise-based dressings can separate after thawing.
Tip to Hand Down
When an old recipe says only "a little of this and a little of that," write down the starting ratio once you get it right. That is how a family shortcut becomes a recipe someone else can actually use.

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