This homemade, zesty Italian dressing is so easy to make and better than the bottled stuff. It's made with simple ingredients that you've likely already got on hand and comes together in just 5 minutes!
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I love using this homemade Italian dressing on my refreshing Simple Garden Salad! It's also perfect for making Italian Pasta Salad.
Homemade dressings are the best because they're really affordable and SO easy to make. Keep that giant collection of expired, bottled salad dressings from accumulating in your refrigerator and make your own!
If you enjoy this made from scratch dressing, be sure to check out my recipes for Blueberry Vinaigrette, Cinnamon Vinaigrette, Greek Yogurt Balsamic Dressing and Sriracha Aioli.
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Is Italian Dressing A Vinaigrette?
Yes! Italian dressing is a type of vinaigrette, which simply means the base ingredients are oil and vinegar. Sometimes vinaigrettes are also made with lemon juice instead of vinegar, this recipe actually incorporates both.
Vinaigrettes are traditionally made with a ratio of 3 parts oil to 1 part vinegar, though personal preferences vary. I like my dressing tangier, so this recipe doesn't fit the 3:1 ratio perfectly!
Homemade dressings are really customizable, though! So you can add more oil and less vinegar if you prefer (and vice versa).
Why Should I Make Homemade Salad Dressing?
Quick & easy: Making your own salad dressings from scratch might seem intimidating and fancy but it's so easy and takes literally 5 minutes!
It's affordable: Bottled salad dressings from the grocery store (especially better brands with fewer preservatives and more whole ingredients) are much more expensive.
Small batch: You know how that big bottle of dressing you bought is ultimately thrown into the trash after passing it's expiration date? Homemade dressings creates less waste than store-bought dressings because you can make smaller quantities that actually get used up!
Staple ingredients: Most of the time you can find ingredients in your kitchen that can be turned into a simple, homemade dressing.
Fewer preservatives: And more control over ingredients! Enough said!
Save a trip to the store! No dressing on hand? Whip up your own in no time, plus it'll probably taste better than store-bought anyway.
Ingredients & Substitutions
To make homemade Italian dressing, you'll need only a handful of basic ingredients and spices. Many are pantry staples that you may already have on hand!
- Extra-virgin olive oil: Avocado oil would also work.
- White wine vinegar: Either red or white wine vinegar work great for this recipe.
- Lemon juice: Fresh tastes best, though bottled will do in a pinch.
- Parmesan cheese: Grated! I like to buy mine pre-grated to save time, but you can also buy a block and grate by hand if desired.
- Seasonings: Italian seasonings blend, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and ground black pepper.
How To Make Homemade Italian Dressing:
Keep scrolling for the full recipe card and measurements. We’ll start here with a quick overview!
Add wet ingredients:
- Measure olive oil, white vinegar and lemon juice into a small bowl or jar.
Add dry ingredients:
- Add Italian seasoning blend, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper and grated parmesan to the jar.
Shake & serve:
- Place a lid on the jar and shake well until everything emulsifies. You can use a small whisk if you don't have a lidded jar.
- Add your dressing to a simple side salad or use it as a marinade for chicken! Enjoy!
Expert Tips
My best tip for a homemade dressing? Get yourself some lidded jars! They're so convenient because you can simply add all ingredients to the jar, then lid and shake. Plus, you can store your dressing right in the jar.
And if you already have mason jars, you can also buy a pack of lids! Just make sure you buy the correct size (regular vs wide mouth).
Variations
Ratios: If you like your dressing tangier, you can add more vinegar! Or on the flip side, you can add less. This recipe is flexible, feel free to add more or less of any ingredient!
Spicy: If you want some heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes.
Sweet: Add a little drizzle of honey, maple syrup or pinch of sugar for a tiny touch of sweetness!
Dairy free: You can make this recipe dairy free/vegan by leaving out the parmesan cheese. I've personally made it this way and it was still completely scrumptious.
Special Equipment
You really don't need anything special to make a homemade dressing. I recommend using a lidded jar so you can shake up the dressing, but you can also use a small whisk.
And, if you don't have a small whisk you can even use a regular size mixing bowl and regular sized whisk for your dressing!
Storing Leftover Dressing
Once again, if you've got a lidded jar, it comes in very handy for storing homemade dressing. However, you can also transfer it to an airtight container and it should last in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
Note: as this dressing chills in the refrigerator it will separate, this is normal! The olive oil will rise to the top and harden once it's been in the fridge for a while. Simply leave dressing on the countertop for 5-10 minutes and the oil will soften again. Then, give it a good shake before use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely. I especially love using my homemade Italian dressing as a marinade for grilled chicken.
Greek dressing or vinaigrette is quite similar and makes a good substitute.
This dressing lasts for about 3-5 day in the refrigerator.
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Homemade Italian Dressing (Bright And Zesty)!
Equipment
- Lidded Jars *Not required but very handy!
Ingredients
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar *or red wine vinegar
- 1 small lemon *juiced
- 1 & ½ teaspoons Italian seasonings *see note below
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
Recipe notes:
Oil & Vinegar: If you like rich flavor, add more oil. If you like tang, add more vinegar or lemon juice! You can customize this dressing to fit your personal preference. Italian seasonings blend: I use Kroger brand, but you can use your favorite. General: I love using lidded jars for salad dressing. You can also buy a pack of lids for your mason jars if you need (just make sure to get the right size).Instructions
- Add olive oil, vinegar and lemon juice to a jar or small bowl.½ cup extra virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar, 1 small lemon
- Add seasonings and parmesan cheese. Place a lid on the jar and shake well. If you don't have a lidded jar you can use a whisk to combine!1 & ½ teaspoons Italian seasonings, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
- Add dressing to your favorite salad or use as a marinade for chicken. Enjoy!
Storage
- Refrigerate dressing in a lidded jar or airtight container for 3-5 days. Dressing will separate, this is normal! The olive oil will rise to the top and harden once it's been in the fridge for a while. Simply leave dressing on the countertop, at room temperature, for 5-10 minutes and the oil will soften again. Then, give it a good shake before use.
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Nutrition
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