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!
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!
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.
Step by Step Directions
Begin by zesting the lemons and thinly slicing the garlic.
Thinly slice the lemons and add them to a small saucepan. Add the lemon zest, garlic and herbs to the pot.
Add the vinegar.
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.
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.
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
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Lemon Herb Vinegar
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
Video
Nutrition
This post was originally published in 2010 and has been updated for 2020.
Leora says
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!
Pam Greer says
Oh, I bet it's good with ginger!
Kelly Anthony says
I can't wait to use this herbed lemon vinegar on my salads this summer. It is sure to brighten up any dish.
Heidy says
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!!
Emily Liao says
This vinegar is so easy to make! I love dipping bread in this for a fresh flavor 🙂
Irina says
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.
Anita says
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. 🙂
Michelle says
I love making infused vinegars and they taste so good!
Lori Lynn says
I need to try this. We have lots of citrus.
LL
Mimi says
This will be a very useful condiment to have around. Now I only need to make it.
Mimi
Chris says
Sorry, I quit listening after "summer is over", after that all I heard was blah blah blah blah, because I refuse to accept it 🙂
lisaiscooking says
I can tell this is going to be good! Lemon, garlic, tarragon, how could it not be? I'd love to try this.
katiez says
Lemon tarragon vinegar! I love this. I have to get some lemons... Got lots of tarragon.
Gail says
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!
a good yarn says
What is about a lemon? You just know that's going to taste amazing.
Kitikata-san says
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
Pam says
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!
Linda www.mykindofcooking.com says
I am heading to the store to get some lemons to make this recipe!
grace says
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. 🙂
Bonnie says
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.
Cathy says
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.
Marjie says
It's so pretty that it almost won't matter how it tastes!
Mo 'Betta says
I'm going to order this book ASAP - I need to learn what to do with all the herbs and veggies from my garden!
Betsy from Tennessee says
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
Katherine Aucoin says
I think your big things will deliver! No way this can go wrong.
Anh says
I'm making these tomorrow!! Love the idea!
SusanD says
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
hip-chick says
yum that looks so pretty. Imagine how refreshing over a boston bibb lettuce salad in the middle of winter.
once in a blue moon... says
that looks delish!
teresa-bug says
Did you post your preserved lemon procedure?
Mary says
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
June says
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!
Joanne says
This is going to make for one tasty vinaigrette. I'm excited.
Mags says
I'm definitely giving this a try. I'll let you know how it turns out!
Lea Ann says
What a great idea. I bet this is going to be so delicious.