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This Italian Salad Dressing Recipe bursts with fresh herbs, tangy vinegar, and savory parmesan cheese. It’s ready in under 10 minutes for effortless salads and marinades.
When I first started making this Italian Salad Dressing Recipe, I couldn’t believe how much better it was than anything store-bought. Fresh lemon juice, quality olive oil, and dried herbs create a flavor that improves with time!
I love drizzling it over a simple green lettuce salad, but it’s equally delicious with a classic Tuscan kale salad, alongside grilled rosemary chicken, or as a dip for warm, crusty sourdough bread. If you’re in the mood for more Italian-inspired favorites, try my Italian sausage soup, ultimate lasagna recipe, or stuffed shells with meat!
Why This is the Best
- Tastes better than store-bought. The richness and fruity notes of fresh extra virgin olive oil make this dressing extra flavorful.
- Flavor improves with time. The herbs soften, the flavors meld and become more complex.
- Pure ingredients, no additives. This dressing contains only natural ingredients!
Table of Contents
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil goes through the least amount of processing of the olive oils, so it keeps some of its nutritional values! It has a gentle taste which I love in my dressings. I chose olive oil intentionally for flavor rather than canola or vegetable oil. It does mean you need to plan ahead before making salad with it. I usually make it days in advance.
- Red or White Wine Vinegar. Red wine or white wine vinegar can be used interchangeably. White wine vinegar will look more like store bought. But I rarely have it on hand, so I opt for red wine vinegar.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations on this Homemade Italian Dressing Recipe
- Drizzle in a touch of honey, apple cider vinegar, or dijon mustard. This would add a bit of sweetness.
- Change the citrus. Try using oranges, blood oranges, limes or, if you are feeling fancy, some key limes!
- Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried in Italian dressing? It’s a bit more effort, but if you’re going for a brighter flavor, fresh herbs would do it. You can multiply the dried herb measurements by three if opting to use fresh herbs!
Professional Tips
- Quality olive oil will make all the difference. You want high-quality and fresh extra virgin olive oil. You can taste if the olive oil is flat or old. Since it is one of the main flavors here, you want to ensure you enjoy the oil you are using.
- Fresh citrus is best! For the brightest dressing, I would suggest freshly squeezed lemon juice. If you must use store-bought, try to find a frozen option that is frozen fresh juice.
- It separates quickly since it doesn’t contain any emulsifiers like fresh garlic or Dijon mustard. I give it a good shake between every pour onto the salad before mixing. This also distributes the solids better!
How to Make Italian Salad Dressing
Further details and measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Step 1: In a large salad shaker bottle (I love this bottle from OXO) combine all the ingredients for the salad dressing. Shake well and set aside.
This dressing has the best flavor after sitting for at least an hour.
Chef Lindsey’s Recipe Tip
It doesn’t emulsify well in a bowl with a whisk. Make it in a bottle or a jar!
Recipe FAQs
Store in the fridge for up to a month. It does solidify in the refrigerator because of the olive oil and the lack of additives. I place it in a large cup with hot water and shake it every so often to bring it to room temperature quickly.
Yes, it’s possible to make this recipe dairy-free. The herbs, garlic powder, and vinegar will keep it flavorful.
The olive oil and vinegar will separate, and the consistency will not be the same. It’s best made fresh and stored in the refrigerator!
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Warm Lemon Rosemary Roasted Vegetable Salad
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Date Night
Stone Fruit Caprese Panzanella Salad
Filling Salad Recipes
Healthy Kale and Cabbage Slaw Salad
If you tried this recipe and loved it please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below. I love hearing from you; your comments make my day!
Italian Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil
- ⅓ cup red wine vinegar or white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¾ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ½ teaspoons red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a large salad shaker bottle combine all the ingredients for the salad dressing. Shake well and set aside.
Notes
Nutrition
Before You Go
I hope you enjoyed this homemade salad dressing recipe. Check out our other delicious, sauces & condiment recipes!
Using both vinegar and lemon juice gave it brightness without being sharp. I kept dipping chunks of bread straight into the jar while I was cooking dinner.