Salmoriglio sauce is super versatile. Use it for the perfect Italian marinade for chicken or fish or as a deliciously simple dressing. The best recipes are ones we can use in loads of ways.
Try it with our amazing Italian Baked Chicken. So tasty and so incredibly easy to prepare.
Italian Salmoriglio dressing in a glass jar with lemons in the back.

A deliciously simple and versatile condiment. Salmoriglio Dressing is an Italian lemon olive oil sauce that is the perfect marinade for fish, meat or vegetables as well as a great salad dressing or serving sauce.

What is Salmoriglio

Salmoriglio sauce, pronounced (sahl-moh-REE-lyee-oh), is a condiment sauce (or dressing) made with lemon, water, herbs and olive oil.

It is very simple to make and tastes so damn good. Use it to marinate your favourite protein and/or serve it over fresh barbecue or grilled meats.

It is similar to chimichurri, but salmoriglio has no vinegar and much better tasting with fresh oregano.

Related recipes: Coriander Chimichurri / Lemon Gremolata

A close of salmoriglio in a mortar.

Salmoriglio Sauce Ingredients

Scroll to the bottom of this post for the quantity of each ingredient used and how to make salmoriglio dressing from scratch.

All the ingredients for Salmoriglio on a wooden door background.

Oregano – I use fresh oregano. You can substitute 1 tablespoon dried oregano in its place, but it does change the flavour.

Olive Oil – I use a good quality extra virgin olive oil. If you have no olive oil try Avocado Oil.

Parsley – use fresh flat leaf parsley. I use fresh as dried is just overpowering. You could add chopped spinach in its place in a pinch.

How To Make It

Step 1. Add garlic and salt flakes to a mortar and pestle, and grind into a paste.

Step 2. Add oregano and mash into a paste.

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Step 3. Add the remaining ingredients and mix until combined. The sauce serves 4 people.

How to Use Salmoriglio

This salmoriglio sauce recipe is super versatile. As you can see from our salmoriglio chicken above.

Marinades – Use it to marinate Oven Baked Salmon, or serve it over grilled fish or lamb cutlets.

Sous Vide Meats – It works perfectly served with our sous vide wagyu or sous vide duck.

Salad Salad – try it with sides like air fryer Green Beans, Arabic Salad, Roasted Pumpkin Salad, or insanely delicious French Taboule Salad.

Stir Fry – toss into a stir fry like our Salmon Stir Fry or Duck Stir Fry. Yummo!

I would love to hear how you use salmoriglio dressing and serve it! Let us know in the comments. Happy cooking x.

FAQs

Where is Salmoriglio from?

It is an Italian lemon olive oil dressing / marinade. It is super popular in Sicily and Calabria, Italy.

What is Salmoriglio served with?

Commonly used as a marinade or sauce for fish like Swordfish. It is the perfect accompaniment for grilled or barbecued meat or vegetables.

Can I freeze it?

Yes, you can. Best to use as a marinade or tossed into a stew after freezing. Make a fresh batch if used as a dressing.

Next Recipes To Try

Here are just a few more delicious low carb dressing recipes to try soon.

Keto Meal Plans & Support
Grilled chicken coated with salmoriglio with lemons to the side.

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Salmoriglio marinade in a jar on a brown napkin.

Salmoriglio Lemon Olive Oil Dressing

Salmoriglio sauce is super versatile. Use it for the perfect Italian marinade for chicken or fish or as a deliciously simple dressing. The best recipes are ones we can use in loads of ways.
Try it with our amazing Italian Baked Chicken. So tasty and so incredibly easy to prepare.
5 from 95 votes!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Course: Marinade
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free
Recipe Category: Low Carb
Calories: 128kcal
Author: Megan Ellam
Servings: 4 serves (makes 1/2 cup)
Tap or hover over number to scale ingredients
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Equipment

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Ingredients 

  • 1 clove (1 clove) garlic
  • 1 teaspoon salt flakes
  • 10 g (3 tbsp) fresh oregano about (3 tbsp chopped), see notes
  • 1/4 cup (¼ cup) flat leaf parsley finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons (2 tablespoons) lemon juice and zest of half a lemon
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1/4 cup (¼ cup) extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions

CONVENTIONAL METHOD

  • MASH – Add garlic and salt flakes to a mortar and pestle, and grind into a paste.
  • MIX – Add oregano and mash into a paste. Add the remaining ingredients and mix until combined.
  • STORE – Keep in a jar in the fridge for up to 1 week.
  • USE – A single batch is enough to marinate up to 1 kg of protein. Can also be served as a dressing or sauce for up to 4 meals or dressing for 3 cups of leafy greens.

THERMOMIX METHOD

  • MIX _ Place all ingredients into mixer; chop 10 sec/speed 7. Scrape down sides of bowl and repeat until smooth.

Notes

INGREDIENTS
Oregano – I use fresh oregano. You can substitute 1 tablespoon dried oregano in its place, but it does change the flavour.
Olive Oil – I use a good quality extra-virgin.
Parsley – use fresh flat leaf parsley. 
STORAGE
Store in a jar in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Freeze – in a small ice cube tray and use in cooking.
USES
Use as a marinade for chicken (all cuts), fish, lamb, pork, or vegetables like potato, pumpkin, eggplant or mushrooms.
Use as a dressing; reduce or leave out the water. Add any extra fresh herbs you like. Drizzle over garlic prawns, or fresh oysters. Or serve with fresh bread as a super-tasty bread oil. Yum!

Your Own Notes

Nutrition

Serving: 1serve | Calories: 128kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 585mg | Potassium: 56mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 358IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 1mg | Magnesium: 9mg | Net Carbs: 1g
Tried this recipe?Mention @meganellam or tag #madcreations!

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23 responses to “Salmoriglio Lemon Olive Oil Dressing”

  1. 5 stars
    I love this recipe. I made to dress grilled mahi mahi and it was simply perfect. The lemon notes, garlic, and EVOO are a match made in heaven. Very fresh and flavorful. Thanks for the recipe and inspiration.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      You are very welcome.

  2. 5 stars
    This Italian sauce is simply awesome! I’m loved it with the fresh oregano.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      I am so glad you enjoyed it.

  3. Tammy

    I love dressings like this…perfect for dips, drizzles, or marinades too. Love how fresh and zesty it is..perfect for the warmed days ahead!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      So true

  4. Amy Liu Dong

    5 stars
    It looks like an easy and delicious sauce to make.
    I am so excited to make this at home.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Enjoy!

  5. Dennis

    5 stars
    OMG that sauce was sooo good! I used it on grilled chicken thighs, and everyone said it was the best chicken I ever made!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Woohoo! That is so cool

  6. Jamie

    5 stars
    Wow! This sauce looks kinda amazing! It boosts the flavor and taste of our dish, especially our chicken dish! Loved it!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Yay!

  7. Madelyn

    5 stars
    This sauce was delicious over chicken and rice. I only use fresh herbs in sauces like this, and they turn out beautifully.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      I am so glad you enjoyed it

  8. Kristina

    5 stars
    This was delicious. We served it over grilled steak and boiled potatoes to make a lighter potato salad. Very good!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Yay! So happy you enjoyed it

  9. 5 stars
    My Sicilian husband always makes salmoriglio to use as a dressing when we have grilled fish. So delicious!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      It sure is!

  10. MAUREEN

    5 stars
    I made this tonight and used it as a sauce for some seafood mix sauteed with some red onion, zucchini and tomato. Absolutely brilliant! Will definitely be putting this sauce into my regular dinner repertoire.

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Yay! It is so versatile

  11. 5 stars
    This marinade is perfect. I can’t wait to make it with my garden oregano. I know I’ll be making it all summer long!

    1. Megan Mad Creations Hub

      Woohoo! That makes me happy to hear.

  12. Megan

    5 stars
    Almost the only marinade you need

5 from 95 votes (84 ratings without comment)

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