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    Home » Condiment Recipes

    Lemon Herb Vinegar

    LAST UPDATED: April 6, 2020 PUBLISHED: April 6, 2020 By Pam Greer 35 Comments As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    This lemon herb vinegar is so easy to make and adds so much flavor to everything!  Perfect in homemade salad dressings, drizzle a little on grilled meats or fish, add it to a marinade or use it to deglaze a pan for lemony herby pan sauce! 

    Painted bottle with a bright yellow liquid in it.

    You all know that I love infusing alcohol, but did you know that I also love infusing vinegars and oils? 

    I was so pleased with my lemon infused olive oil, that I decided to make a lemon herb vinegar!

    Just look at the gorgeous color on this vinegar!!  That comes straight from fresh lemons, no artificial colors here!   This was so easy to make, time does most of the work, I plan on always having a bottle of this in the pantry. 

    Use it anywhere you would normally use vinegar - in homemade salad dressings, marinades, drizzle on grilled fish or meats, use it to deglaze a pan for a quick and lemony pan sauce!

    Click here to pin this homemade infused vinegar now! 

    Thyme, garlic, vinegar, sugar and lemons. Ingredients

    • Herbs - you can use dried herbs or fresh.  For this batch I used fresh thyme.  In the summer, I use tarragon or basil.  In the winter, I can still make this with thyme or rosemary.  Dill is also good.
    • Garlic - 1 to 2 cloves.  Optional. 
    • Vinegar - you want to use a milder vinegar, not the big jugs of distilled vinegar (though I have use that in a pinch.). I usually try to go with white wine vinegar or rice wine vinegar. 
    • Sugar - adds just a tiny bit of sweetness.   You could also use honey.
    • Lemons - since you are using the zest, try and find organic lemons.  If you can't, be sure and scrub them well.

    Photo collage showing lemon being zested and garlic being sliced.

    Step by Step Directions

    Begin by zesting the lemons and thinly slicing the garlic.

    Photo collage showing lemons being sliced and added to a pan.

    Thinly slice the lemons and add them to a small saucepan.  Add the lemon zest, garlic and herbs to the pot.  

    Add the vinegar. 

    Photo collage showing lemons in a pot and then in a jar.

    Bring all the ingredients to a boil over medium heat.  Turn off the heat and let cool. 

    When the vinegar has cooled to room temperature, put the lemon vinegar mixture into a glass jar.  

    Place a lid on the jar and store in a cook dark place for 3 weeks. 

    Photo collage showing vinegar heated and ready to be bottled.

    Strain the vinegar to remove the solids.   Heat the vinegar with the sugar over medium heat, stirring, just until the sugar dissolves. 

    Cool and pour into a pretty bottle. 

    You can store it in the fridge to help preserve the freshness and flavor or I store mine in the pantry, because I usually use them up within 3 months. 

    Pretty bottle filled with bright yellow lemon herb vinegar.

    I make a lot of infusions, it's one of my favorite ways to preserve fruits or herbs.  This lemony herby vinegar is one of my favorites!  I've already used half the bottle!  Luckily it's so easy to make. 

    For this one I used thyme, but my tarragon is sprouting up, so that's next.  I'll probably make a couple of bottles at the end end of summer and store them in the fridge so I can have all this sunny lemon herb vinegar all winter long! 

    Click here to pin this and save it for later! 

    More Infused Vinegar Recipes

    Strawberry Vinegar - gorgeous red color, luscious strawberry flavors! 

    Tarragon Vinegar - my favorite herb! 

    Hot Chili Pepper Vinegar - we go through bottles and bottles of this!  A must have for soups and beans! 

    Blueberry  - makes delicious homemade vinaigrettes.

    Mango  - one of the most popular infused vinegar recipes on the blog - try it and you'll see why! 

    Garlic or Chive Blossoms - subtle oniony flavor - so good! 

    Recipe

    **As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Bottle of lemon herb vinegar - bright yellow in a pretty painted bottle.
    Print Pin Save Saved!
    5 from 5 votes

    Lemon Herb Vinegar

    This bright lemon yellow vinegar is so easy to make and adds a burst of lemon herb flavor wherever you need it!
    Course Condiment
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 5 minutes
    Steeping Time 21 days
    Total Time 21 days 15 minutes
    Servings 16
    Calories 12kcal

    Ingredients

    • 2 lemons
    • 2 cups white wine vinegar or rice wine
    • 1 tbsp herbs dried or a few sprigs of fresh
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • 2 teaspoons sugar

    Instructions

    • Zest the lemon and thinly slice them.
    • Peel and thinly slice the garlic.
    • Add the lemons, zest, garlic, vinegar and herbs to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Turn off the heat and let cool to room temperature.
    • Pour mixture in a glass jar with a lid and store in a cool dark place for 3 weeks.
    • Strain out the solids and heat the vinegar with the sugar over medium heat, stirring, just until the sugar dissolves. Cool to room temperature.
    • Decant into a pretty bottle.

    Notes

    Store in fridge or pantry.  It will keep fresher in the fridge, but will keep fine in the pantry, especially if you use it within 3-6 months. 
    Herbs - 1 tablespoon or dried a few sprigs of fresh.  Use your favorite - I like thyme, rosemary, dill and tarragon.  

    Equipment

    Citrus Zester
    Oil or Vinegar Bottle
    Small Batch Canning

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 12kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 30mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 7IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

    This post was originally published in 2010 and has been updated for 2020. 

    More Condiment Recipes

    • Cranberry Salad Dressing
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    • Roasted Red Pepper Dip
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Leora says

      December 07, 2022 at 11:37 pm

      I just made the tarragon vinegar and now I’m making the lemon! I didn’t have garlic on hand so I used ginger instead! I’m so excited to taste these! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        December 08, 2022 at 11:05 am

        Oh, I bet it's good with ginger!

        Reply
    2. Kelly Anthony says

      April 06, 2020 at 4:02 pm

      5 stars
      I can't wait to use this herbed lemon vinegar on my salads this summer. It is sure to brighten up any dish.

      Reply
    3. Heidy says

      April 06, 2020 at 3:48 pm

      5 stars
      This herbed lemon vinegar is such a wonderful idea to add flavor to so many recipes. I will be using this on a ton of things!!

      Reply
    4. Emily Liao says

      April 06, 2020 at 3:47 pm

      5 stars
      This vinegar is so easy to make! I love dipping bread in this for a fresh flavor 🙂

      Reply
    5. Irina says

      April 06, 2020 at 3:15 pm

      5 stars
      This flavored and lemons scented vinegar is the best! I have just made it, and I am looking forward to using it in my everyday cooking. Thanks.

      Reply
    6. Anita says

      April 06, 2020 at 2:44 pm

      5 stars
      Now I want to make all kind of infused vinegar. This is such a lovely project. And the resulting vinegar is great for preparing yummy salad dressing. 🙂

      Reply
    7. Michelle says

      August 04, 2010 at 10:08 pm

      I love making infused vinegars and they taste so good!

      Reply
    8. Lori Lynn says

      August 02, 2010 at 3:29 pm

      I need to try this. We have lots of citrus.
      LL

      Reply
    9. Mimi says

      August 01, 2010 at 7:11 pm

      This will be a very useful condiment to have around. Now I only need to make it.
      Mimi

      Reply
    10. Chris says

      July 31, 2010 at 4:12 pm

      Sorry, I quit listening after "summer is over", after that all I heard was blah blah blah blah, because I refuse to accept it 🙂

      Reply
    11. lisaiscooking says

      July 31, 2010 at 1:08 pm

      I can tell this is going to be good! Lemon, garlic, tarragon, how could it not be? I'd love to try this.

      Reply
    12. katiez says

      July 31, 2010 at 9:18 am

      Lemon tarragon vinegar! I love this. I have to get some lemons... Got lots of tarragon.

      Reply
    13. Gail says

      July 31, 2010 at 12:12 am

      I'm sure it will be wonderful! I made a rosemary citrus vinegar once (fresh rosemary sprigs with some orange zest), and it was so good. You have inspired me to make this!

      Reply
    14. a good yarn says

      July 30, 2010 at 11:37 pm

      What is about a lemon? You just know that's going to taste amazing.

      Reply
    15. Kitikata-san says

      July 30, 2010 at 10:59 pm

      Are you hosting WCB this weekend? Can I join in? Here is my post of a sweet kitty named Lucy.
      http://kitikata.blogspot.com/2010/07/sweet-lucy.html

      Reply
    16. Pam says

      July 30, 2010 at 6:47 pm

      Joanne - I'm excited too!

      Lea Ann - I hope so!

      Susan - it is my favorite book!

      Anh - I can't wait to see what you use it on.

      Katherine - that's what I'm thinking!

      Mo - you won't regret ordering it!

      Mags - good! I hope you like it!

      Cathy - I know, I can think of a zillion different uses.

      Bonnie - I hope you like it!

      June - Lucky you!

      Mary - give it a try, I think it's going to be great!

      Teresa - yes, look at my posts with the lemon label.

      Jain - thanks!

      Hip - that's what I'm thinking!

      Betsy - I plan on having a good weekend!

      Marjie - I feel the same way.

      Linda - let me know how it goes!

      Reply
    17. Linda www.mykindofcooking.com says

      July 30, 2010 at 5:55 pm

      I am heading to the store to get some lemons to make this recipe!

      Reply
    18. grace says

      July 30, 2010 at 8:55 pm

      why'd you have to go and bring up the fact that summer is ending? party pooper. 🙂
      i love the fact that this has to sit in the dark for awhile--how creepy and fun. 🙂

      Reply
    19. Bonnie says

      July 30, 2010 at 2:35 pm

      I love infused vinegars and oils. This recipe is a new one to me. Thanks for the recipe. I am going to try this one for sure.

      Reply
    20. Cathy says

      July 30, 2010 at 2:03 pm

      This looks like a winner to me! I have lemons in the fridge and I'm making this today. This will be so good on salads.

      Reply
    21. Marjie says

      July 30, 2010 at 5:26 pm

      It's so pretty that it almost won't matter how it tastes!

      Reply
    22. Mo 'Betta says

      July 30, 2010 at 12:57 pm

      I'm going to order this book ASAP - I need to learn what to do with all the herbs and veggies from my garden!

      Reply
    23. Betsy from Tennessee says

      July 30, 2010 at 4:50 pm

      What a nice thing to do with some of your lemons, Pam... I'm sure you'll enjoy that on your veggies and other dishes this Fall.

      Sorry school is starting SO soon for you....

      Have a good weekend though.
      Hugs,
      Betsy

      Reply
    24. Katherine Aucoin says

      July 30, 2010 at 12:49 pm

      I think your big things will deliver! No way this can go wrong.

      Reply
    25. Anh says

      July 30, 2010 at 12:41 pm

      I'm making these tomorrow!! Love the idea!

      Reply
    26. SusanD says

      July 30, 2010 at 12:41 pm

      I am really lovin a lemon and basil combination right now. I'm def going to try this. I purchased this book after seeing all the great looking stuff you were making. I have not been disappointed. Thanks. Blessings, SusanD

      Reply
    27. hip-chick says

      July 30, 2010 at 4:29 pm

      yum that looks so pretty. Imagine how refreshing over a boston bibb lettuce salad in the middle of winter.

      Reply
    28. once in a blue moon... says

      July 30, 2010 at 4:18 pm

      that looks delish!

      Reply
    29. teresa-bug says

      July 30, 2010 at 3:12 pm

      Did you post your preserved lemon procedure?

      Reply
    30. Mary says

      July 30, 2010 at 2:50 pm

      I've never seen a lemon vinegar, but this looks wonderful. I want to give this a try. Those ingredients should produce a wonderful flavor. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary

      Reply
    31. June says

      July 30, 2010 at 2:39 pm

      Wow - can't wait to try this when our Meyer's are ready. We're going to have a huge crop this year! Great idea!

      Reply
    32. Joanne says

      July 30, 2010 at 10:32 am

      This is going to make for one tasty vinaigrette. I'm excited.

      Reply
    33. Mags says

      July 30, 2010 at 1:10 pm

      I'm definitely giving this a try. I'll let you know how it turns out!

      Reply
    34. Lea Ann says

      July 30, 2010 at 11:45 am

      What a great idea. I bet this is going to be so delicious.

      Reply

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