Homemade Italian Salad Dressing

The Best Homemade Italian Dressing Recipe, Explained

• Better than bottled. Make quick homemade Italian dressing in 5 minutes that’s incredibly flavorful. It’s so much fresher-tasting than bottled dressing, and made without funny additives and sugar.
• Cost-effective. Double the recipe to make a big batch, and you can refrigerate or freeze this dressing for later.
• A kitchen staple. I have a jar of homemade Italian dressing in my fridge at all times, ready to channel the flavors of the Olive Garden. Use it to dress a green salad or marinate the beef for Italian beef subs. It’s super versatile.

Grab These Dressing Ingredients

I’ll show you how to make this zesty homemade Italian dressing, starting with some notes on the simple ingredients. You’ll find the full, printable recipe with amounts in the recipe card below the post.

• Olive Oil – Oil is the base of the dressing, so I recommend a high-quality extra virgin olive oil. Avocado oil or vegetable oil also works.
• White Wine Vinegar – Red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar are great substitutes.
• Fresh Lemon Juice – Adds a fresh, zesty flavor. I use quite a bit of lemon juice in my recipe, so I always juice fresh lemons. Bottled juice doesn’t have the same authentic freshness.
• Garlic – Fresh garlic is best (shallots are a good fresh alternative if you need one). Otherwise, you can substitute 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder or onion powder per fresh garlic clove in a pinch.
• Honey – You can also use maple syrup, agave, or sugar as a sweetener.
• Fresh Parsley – If you’re not opposed to cilantro, it makes a nice fresh substitute for parsley with a slightly different flavor.
• Italian Seasonings – Dried oregano, basil, and thyme. You can substitute these individual seasonings with 1 tablespoon of your favorite Italian seasoning blend.
• Dijon Mustard – Mustard helps emulsify the dressing while adding a mild, tangy heat. Whole-grain mustard or yellow mustard will also work in this recipe.
• Red Pepper Flakes – For a subtle, spicy kick in addition to your usual salt and pepper in the dressing. You can adapt the amount of chili flakes to taste or omit them altogether if you’re sensitive to spice.

Optional: Add Parmesan Cheese

This is optional, but I love adding freshly grated Parmesan cheese to vinaigrette-based dressings like this homemade Italian dressing recipe and the dressing I use for my La Scala chopped salad. The cheese adds a savory and salty richness. I recommend making the dressing without it first, and adding it in if you like.

Ways to Use Italian Dressing In Recipes

• Salads. Drizzle homemade Italian dressing over a Mediterranean Salad or a chef salad, or toss it with fresh greens for a simple side salad. It also makes a great dressing for a pasta salad.
• Bowls. Use it as a dressing for a Mediterranean bowl and grain bowls. In this case, I’ll sometimes whisk in a little yogurt or mayonnaise to make a thicker, creamy Italian dressing.
• Marinade. Use Italian dressing as a marinade for pork chops, chicken, or beef. It’s also delicious with pan-seared shrimp.
• Subs and sandwiches. Homemade Italian dressing makes a tasty addition to Italian subs and grinders, or you can use it to dress the contents of pinwheel sandwiches.

How to Make Italian Dressing

Nothing compares to the freshness of homemade salad dressings, and there’s something super satisfying about watching this Italian dressing come together! Grab a glass jar or container, and add your ingredients:

• Combine and mix the ingredients. Add all of the dressing ingredients to a jar or small bowl. Whisk or shake well until everything is thoroughly mixed. Taste the dressing and adjust the seasonings if needed.
• Store. Transfer the dressing to an airtight container or jar and close the lid. Properly stored airtight, this Italian dressing lasts in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Stir or shake it before each use.

Can You Freeze Homemade Italian Dressing?

Yes! For longer-term storage, you can freeze Italian dressing for up to 2 months. Store the finished dressing in a freezer-safe container. Thaw it in the fridge and give it a good shake or stir before you use it.

More Easy Dressing Recipes

• Avocado Salad Dressing
• Homemade Catalina Dressing
• Homemade Ranch Dressing
• Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette