Italian Dressing

on Jun 23, 2021

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This homemade Italian dressing is the perfect way to elevate your favorite salad recipes. Quick and easy to make, it’s zingy and herby, and is a great all-purpose dressing.

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Ditch the store bought dressings and make up a batch of this instead with fresh and healthy ingredients.

This made from scratch Italian dressing has flavors of lemon, herbs, and garlic and is made with red (or white) wine vinegar to give it a nice tangy edge.

It’s super versatile and can easily be used on all of your favorite salad recipes, from leafy greens to pasta salads. Try it with my cold Italian pasta salad.

You can also try it on my Three Bean Salad, Greek Salad or Chef Salad!

homemade Italian salad dressing in a jar

Why you will love this recipe!

Quick and easy: Just add all of the ingredients to a jar, shake and it’s ready to use.
Make ahead: This Italian vinaigrette has a great shelf life, so be sure to make a double batch to enjoy right out of the fridge.
Healthier: Store bought dressings are often loaded with sugars and salts, as well as preservatives to keep them shelf stable. This is made with all natural ingredients and a lot less sugar and salt.

Ingredients for Italian Salad Dressing

Oil: It’s definitely best to use extra virgin olive oil, it’s more flavorful and adds a nice roundness and fruitiness. In a pinch, you can use regular.
Vinegar: You can use either red or white wine vinegar for this dressing.
Seasonings: Basil, oregano, parsley, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
Honey: Just a little honey helps to balance out the sharpness of the vinegar. You can also use granulated sugar.
Lemon juice: Use fresh lemon juice rather than bottled for the best flavor.
Parmesan cheese: This is optional, but it adds a nice bite of flavor. Use freshly grated rather than pre-grated.

How To Make Italian Dressing

Combine all ingredients in a jar with a lid. Seal the lid tightly and shake vigorously until well combined. (You can also mix in a bowl with a whisk.)

TIPS FROM NELI’S KITCHEN

Recipe Notes and Tips for the best Italian dressing recipe

Make this homemade Italian dressing vegan by swapping the honey for sugar or maple syrup.
Shaking everything together in a mason jar is the easiest and quickest way to make this dressing, but you can also whisk everything together in a bowl.
Make it ahead of time. This will allow the flavors of the dried herbs to develop.

How long does it keep?

This Italian dressing is ready to use as soon as you’ve made it, or keep it sealed in the jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. When it sits, the ingredients will separate, so just give it a good shake before using. It’s best not to freeze it as this can affect the flavors.

What’s the ratio of oil to vinegar in an Italian vinaigrette?

I have used a 3:1 oil to vinegar ratio for this dressing. It’s tangy, but not overly so and lets the other flavors shine through. If you prefer a zingier dressing, you can add more vinegar or more lemon juice to your tastes. If you find it too sharp, you can add in a little extra honey to balance out the flavor.

homemade dressing Italian style in a jar

Recipe Variations

The beauty of making your homemade salad dressing is that you can adapt it to your tastes or make use of what’s in your cupboard. Mix up the vinegar and use apple cider or balsamic, add in some Dijon mustard or mayonnaise for a creamier texture, or add in different herbs and spices like red chili flakes, thyme, or rosemary.