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Citrus vinaigrette is a light, tangy salad dressing that typically combines fresh citrus juice (like lemon, lime, or orange), olive oil, vinegar, and seasonings. It's a staple in Western cuisine, particularly in Mediterranean and American cooking, used to dress salads, marinate proteins, or drizzle over roasted vegetables.
This dressing is primarily a source of healthy fats from the oil, with minimal carbs and protein. A standard 2-tablespoon serving contains roughly 80-120 calories, and it provides beneficial nutrients like vitamin C from the citrus and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats from the oil.
Culturally, it represents a shift towards lighter, brighter flavors in modern cooking, moving away from heavier cream-based dressings. Nutritionally, the combination of vitamin C from the citrus and healthy fats from the oil can enhance the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins from the salad greens you pair it with.