Why make an extra trip to the store when you could whip up a delicious Homemade Italian Dressing in just a few minutes? This simple recipe packs in all the flavors you love without any of the preservatives or fillers you get from store-bought brands. And all you have to do is combine the ingredients, blend, and enjoy! (You can use a blender or immersion blender, whatever’s most convenient.)
No salad is complete without a delicious dressing to bring it all together. And when you want something zesty and flavorful that you can make in minutes, this Homemade Italian Dressing is the perfect solution!
I love making my dressings. Store-bought brands usually contain unwanted fillers, preservatives, chemicals, and artificial flavors. (Seriously, have you ever read the product information on the back of a bottle?!)
When I make the dressing myself, I have complete control over the ingredients. Plus, homemade dressings taste better.
Once you see how easy it is to make a super fresh and flavorful dressing in your kitchen, you may never return to grocery store brands again. This Italian Salad Dressing is so good, you’ll want to put it on everything!
Ingredients for Making Homemade Italian Dressing
- Vinegar — I prefer the flavor of red wine vinegar in this homemade Italian Dressing recipe, but you could use white wine vinegar if you prefer.
- Oil — Use a high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
- Sweetener — Honey is my go-to. You could use sugar-free honey, maple syrup, or a low-carb sweetener if you prefer.
- Lemon juice — A tablespoon or so will add the right balance of acidity.
- Mustard — Dijon is going to add the best flavor.
- Herbs — I recommend parsley and oregano. Basil is another option. You can use fresh herbs if you plan to use the dressing within a few days. For longer storage, use dried herbs.
- Seasoning — Garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper bring out the natural flavors of the other ingredients.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese — This ingredient is optional. If you add it, I recommend grating your own to avoid anti-caking agents found in pre-grated cheeses.
Tips & Tricks
- To ensure the dressing fully emulsifies, combine the ingredients for this easy homemade Italian dressing in a blender or immersion blender. (My favorite way to make a salad dressing is in a mason jar using an immersion blender.)
- If you plan to store the dressing for more than a couple of days, it’s better to use dried herbs instead of fresh ones.
- For the best flavor, use high-quality extra virgin olive oil. As the main ingredient in this Italian Salad Dressing Recipe, quality will make a noticeable difference.
Serving Suggestions
- Use this Zesty Italian Dressing in place of the dressing for Italian Chopped Salad!
- This Rainbow Salad Bowl with Chicken is packed with nutrient-rich vegetables and is simply perfect tossed in Italian Dressing.
- Swap out the vinaigrette in my Instant Pot Potato Salad for a zesty flavor boost!
- Use it in this Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Salad.
- This Italian dressing makes an excellent marinade for Grilled Quesadillas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Either one will work just fine in this Italian Dressing Recipe. My personal preference is red wine vinegar because I find it a bit more flavorful and complex.
A good quality extra-virgin olive oil is going to make a big difference. The better the oil, the better the dressing!
This can happen after storing Italian Dressing in the refrigerator. Let it sit at room temperature and warm up for about half an hour, then give it a good shake.
You bet. If you’re looking for a dairy-free version or don’t have any on hand, just leave it out.
Without preservatives, Homemade Italian Dressing will eventually go bad. However, it should stay fresh for up to three weeks.
Tools Needed to Make Italian Salad Dressing
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Storage
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
If you use fresh herbs, the dressing should be used within three days. If you use dried herbs, it will stay fresh for up to three weeks.
How to Make Italian Dressing
In a blender, combine the red wine vinegar, olive oil, honey, lemon juice, mustard, parsley, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, crushed red pepper flakes, and black pepper.
Process until emulsified.
If desired, add the parmesan cheese and process until incorporated.
More Salad Dressing Recipes to Try
- Make any salad more exciting with the big flavors in easy Tomato Vinaigrette!
- The rich, garlicky goodness of this Healthy Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe is the best way to skip the sugar and chemicals found in store-bought brands.
- Rice vinegar, sesame oil, lime juice, garlic, and ginger give this sugar-free Asian Salad Dressing Recipe so much flavor!
- Mix Tzatziki Sauce with a bit of oil to create a creamy dressing that’s perfect for Greek or Mediterranean-inspired salads.
Italian Dressing
Ingredients
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey or sweetener of choice
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley or 1 teaspoon dried
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped oregano or 1 teaspoon dried
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup finely grated parmesan optional
Instructions
- Combine the red wine vinegar, olive oil, honey, lemon juices, mustard, parsley, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, crushed red pepper flakes, and black pepper in a blender. Process until emulsified.
- If desired, add the parmesan cheese and process until incorporated.
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