Creamy Lemon Tarragon Dressing
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Let’s talk about this new herby condiment of mine:
Creamy Lemon Tarragon Dressing
This recipe came to life after I started envisioning a specific salad I wanted to create (my Jammy Egg and Asparagus Salad, to be precise). And once I started piecing together all the elements of this dressing, I knew it was too good to not have it’s own post.
So here it is! I wanted something in the family of aioli, but a little different - so this is a nice thick creamy, herby, and acidic mayo-based dressing! The best part - it’s not just great as a dressing, it’s also delicious in place of aioli or any dipping sauce! Trust me, it’s worth keeping a jar perpetually stocked in the fridge.
Lemme quickly answer some Tarragon FAQs:
What is tarragon and what does it taste like?
Tarragon is a leafy green herb - it has tender leaves and stems just like cilantro and parsley. It is very popular in many traditional French dishes.
You’ll likely find it next to other herbs in your grocery store’s produce section - if you have an Asian market local to you, you can usually find bigger bundles of tarragon for better prices!
Tarragon can be a polarizing herb because it has a flavor very similar to anise - aka: licorice tasting. It’s much more delicate than anise, but if you hate that flavor, this might not be the herb for you.
What does tarragon pair with?
For proteins: opt for chicken, eggs, fish, or even pork.
For other herbs: parsley, dill, mint, chives, thyme.
Condiments: mustard, mayonnaise, oil, vinegar.
Produce: lemon, asparagus, carrots, artichokes, fennel, grapefruit, mushrooms, potatoes - just to name a few!
Also, I know times are strange right now, and we’re all trying to limit grocery outings, so here’s a list of substitutions if you don’t have what you need or don’t like one of the ingredients:
Ingredient Substitutions:
Mayonnaise - try using plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
Lemon - can always swap for lime
Garlic - a shallot would work
Dijon mustard - sub with any mustard you might have OR a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
Tarragon - cilantro, dill, chives, basil, or more parsley
Parsley - cilantro, dill, or chives
*Please note: these substitutions will alter the flavor of the dressing BUT it will still be extremely delicious!
Creamy Lemon Tarragon Dressing
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 large lemons, zested and juiced
- 4 cloves garlic, grated
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard (extra points for tarragon dijon)
- 1 ½ tablespoons fresh tarragon
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- A few grinds of black pepper
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Blend until perfectly smooth and combined. Should be nice and thick, but still pourable. Almost like the consistency of ranch. If it seems too thick, just add more lemon juice and if it seems too thin, add more mayonnaise.
