This homemade Italian Dressing takes minutes to make and tastes so much better than store bought! It's also healthier and cheaper, perfect to drizzle over an Italian salad, grilled plates, pasta salads and many more.
Why buy Italian Dressing when its so easy to make for a fraction of the price! If there's one thing I’ll always opt for making fresh are homemade salad dressings. I've never been a fan of store bought dressings as they are often filled with unnecessary sugars, preservatives and not the best oil as the base. Making your own is so much healthier, cheaper and tastes better too.
Fun fact, whilst it's made with the classic Italian flavors, it's not typically a dressing you'd find in Italy as they are a lot more simple…salads are only dressed with olive oil and vinegar, thats it!
My Italian Dressing takes literally a few minutes to make with pantry staples you probably already have in your kitchen. It's tangy, light and fresh and works great for many different salad recipes. You can even make a bigger batch and leave it in your fridge for upcoming meals to save time too.
Table of Contents
Recipe Highlights
- Quick & Easy: Made in minutes with simple pantry ingredients
- Versatile: Add in different salad recipes, marinades and pasta salad dishes
- Healthier: Using better ingredients and oil base and without any added sugars or preservatives
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Extra virgin olive oil is the foundation of the dressing. I always opt for a quality olive oil as you will taste the difference
- Red wine vinegar provides the classic tangy flavor. Swap with white wine vinegar for softer acidity
- Oregano is the key herb which gives this dressing its authentic taste. You can also add dried basil or parsley too
- Fresh lemon juice brightens the dressing and balances the tangy flavors from the dijon mustard and vinegar
- Dijon mustard helps emulsify the dressing and adds a subtle tang
- Garlic cloves are optional. I'm not a fan of raw garlic in dressings but if using, finely grate with a microplane grater
- Seasoning is simple with salt and black pepper. You could add garlic powder (if not using fresh garlic), onion powder or even red pepper flakes for a spicy kick
How to make an Italian Dressing
This Italian Dressing is a classic for a reason - it uses simple ingredients and comes together quickly, making it the perfect way to elevate your favorite salad or dish. Follow my easy steps below (note quantities are listed in the recipe card below)
Step 1: Add all ingredients to a jar or glass. If using garlic, grate using a microplane grater
Step 2: Shake, whisk or use a mini milk frother like I have, until combined. Before serving, shake again and add to your favorite salad or dish and enjoy!
Tips and Tricks
- Shake the dressing in a mason jar, whisk or use a mini milk frother which will help emulsify the dressing
- If adding garlic, always grate with a microplane grater so there aren't any chunks
- If the dressing solidifies due to the olive oil, leave at room temperature for 10-15 minutes then shake before using
- Double the recipe and keep in an airtight container for meal prep during the week
- Add the dressing right before serving, especially if adding to salads to keep it fresh and crunchy
Storage Instructions
- Store the dressing in a mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 weeks. however if you have added fresh garlic, use within 5-7 days
- If the oil hardens and solidifies in the fridge, simply let it come to room temperature for approx 10 minutes and shake again before serving
- Freezing is not recommended
Serving Suggestions
This homemade Italian dressing is so versatile. You can add it to anything from a green salad, Italian salad or use it to dress a pasta salad for picnics or for a beach day. It also makes a flavorful marinade for meats. You could also drizzle it over roasted vegetables or in this Greek bowl.
FAQs
Yes indeed! Making a homemade dressing means you can use better ingredients especially the oil base. Store bought can also include sugars, preservatives and unneeded ingredients
Extra virgin olive oil is the best choice for an authentic flavor and pairs well with the acidic elements of lemon and vinegar. It also emulsifies well when shaken, giving the dressing a smooth texture instead of separating quickly
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Italian Dressing:
More Salad Dressings
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
I love seeing your creations and remakes, so be sure to rate the recipe, comment and share your photo on Instagram so I can share the love!
Recipe
Italian Dressing (Made in Minutes)
Ingredients
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ medium lemon juiced
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- *Optional 1 garlic clove
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a mason jar or glass. If using garlic, grate using a microplane grater
- Shake or whisk well or use mini milk frother until combined. Before serving, shake again and add to your favorite salad such as this Italian chopped salad or pasta salad and enjoy your homemade Italian Dressing!
Notes
- Dressing - shake the dressing in a mason jar, whisk it, or use a mini milk frother to help emulsify it smoothly. If it solidifies from the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes, then shake before using
- Double it - you can double the recipe and store it in an airtight container so you always have some ready for meal planning during the week
- Serving - if making a salad, I recommend adding the dressing right before serving to keep the salad fresh and crunchy
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