This orange marmalade salad dressing is my go-to everyday homemade dressing—sweet, tangy, and lightly creamy. It comes together in under a minute and makes any lunch salad taste amazing.
Orange marmalade is one of my favorite secret ingredients in the kitchen.
I use it in all kinds of recipes — as a dressing, my sardine salads, sauces, and quick marinades. The sweet-tart flavor adds instant complexity without needing to make anything orangey from scratch.
This orange marmalade salad dressing has been my go-to for lunch salads for about three years now. YEARS! It’s bright, lightly creamy, and comes together in less than a minute. I can’t get enough!
And the best part? Those little bits of citrus peel in the marmalade. They add just enough texture and punch of orange flavor to make a simple salad taste special.
If you’re someone who eats a lot of big lunch salads like I do, this one is worth memorizing.
My One-Minute Orange Marmalade Salad Dressing
I make this dressing 99% of the time when I’m throwing together a quick lunch salad.
Instead of whisking it in a small bowl or jar, I usually just make it right in the bottom of a big glass salad bowl. A fork works perfectly to mix everything together.
Once the dressing is emulsified, I add my greens and toppings right on top and toss. Done!
If you prefer to meal prep your dressings, you can easily multiply the recipe and store a larger batch in the fridge. Just shake it in a small jar before using.
Homemade dressings and sauces are one of the easiest ways to upgrade everyday meals. Check out my roundup of healthy dipping sauces – because sauces can completely transform simple foods!
Also check out: My Homemade Salad Dressing Guide
Why This Orange Marmalade Dressing Works: The Star Ingredients
The ingredient list is short, but each one plays an important role.
Orange Marmalade
This is the star of the show. Marmalade adds sweetness, acidity, and citrus peel texture all in one spoonful. The sweet-tart balance is what makes this dressing so good on simple greens.
Mayonnaise
Just a tiny bit of mayo makes the dressing slightly creamy so it sticks to the lettuce instead of sliding off. I almost always use the squirt bottle kind because it’s the fastest. Also: Dukes is the best!
Mustard
Mustard helps emulsify the dressing so the oil and vinegar stay blended. Any mustard works, but lately I’ve been loving a dill mustard in this recipe.
Olive Oil + Vinegar
White wine vinegar adds brightness while olive oil smooths everything out and helps coat the greens.
Lately, I’ve been using the extra virgin olive oil from Oliveda, which is made from early-harvest olives for a vibrant flavor and naturally high antioxidant content typical of high-quality EVOO.
Salt + Pepper
Never skip these — they make all the flavors pop.
My Favorite Shortcut Ingredients
The beauty of this dressing is how quickly it comes together.
To keep things extra easy, I use:
- squirt mayonnaise
- squirt mustard
- a fork instead of a whisk
No measuring spoons required if you eyeball it often enough. It’s the perfect dressing for those days when you’re hungry and just want lunch now.
Optional Flavor Variations
The base dressing is great as-is, but it’s also very flexible depending on what you’re putting in your salad.
Fresh Dill
Perfect if you’re making a salmon salad or seafood bowl.
Lemon Juice
A squeeze of lemon adds extra brightness.
Flavored Salts
Citrus salts or herb salts are great.
Orange Juice
Swap the vinegar for a splash of fresh orange juice for a softer citrus flavor.
Fresh Garlic
I am a super taster who is sensitive to raw garlic, but if you love garlic, you’ll love it in this recipe! A little garlic powder is nice, too.
Here’s the simple recipe for my everyday orange marmalade salad dressing:
Orange Marmalade Salad Dressing Recipe
This quick orange marmalade salad dressing is sweet, tangy, and lightly creamy. Made with marmalade, mustard, mayo, vinegar, and olive oil, it comes together in under a minute and is perfect for everyday lunch salads.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp orange marmalade
- 1/2 tsp mayonnaise squirt kind
- 1/4 tsp mustard
- 2 tsp white wine vinegar
- 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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Combine all ingredients in a big bowl and blend with a fork until all clumps of mayo are emulsified.
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Add greens and toss well to coat. Serve immediately.
What to Serve With Orange Marmalade Salad Dressing
I like to serve it with romaine, spinach, and/or arugula, blue cheese, chicken, and candied nuts if you have some!
Other ideas:
Orange Marmalade Salad Dressing FAQ
What salads pair well with orange marmalade dressing?
This orange marmalade salad dressing works well with simple green salads, arugula, spinach, or kale. It’s also delicious with salads that are grain based like quinoa or even a pasta salad.
How long does homemade marmalade dressing last?
If stored in a sealed jar in the refrigerator, orange marmalade salad dressing will keep for about 4–5 days. Shake or stir before using.
Can I make orange marmalade salad dressing without mayonnaise?
Yes. If you prefer a fully vinaigrette-style dressing, you can leave out the mayonnaise. The dressing will be slightly less creamy but still delicious. To help the dressing emulsify, whisk the marmalade, mustard, and vinegar first, then slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking. The mustard will help keep everything blended.
More Homemade Dressings
If you like this orange marmalade salad dressing, you might also enjoy these other easy salads and homemade dressings: