Best Homemade Zesty Italian Salad Dressing Recipe (2024)

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Thiszesty Italian dressing recipewill become your new go-to Italian Vinaigrette. Packed with herbs, spices, and tangy vinegar, it’s the perfect complement to salads, sandwiches, and pasta dishes. Low Carb, vegan and gluten-free Italian dressing and marinade!

A one-jar salad dressing made of simple, pantry ingredients; so much better thanGood Seasonsor any otherstore-bought dressing.

I enjoy giving precise details in my recipe posts to lead my readers through any questions. If you’re just here for the printable recipe, use the Jump to Recipe to head straight there!

Growing up, we made a freshgreen saladalmost every night for dinner, andhomemade dressingswere always on the table. My mom taught me young how to make thisgreat recipe, a simplezesty homemade Italian dressingfull ofItalian flavorsand much better than anything you will get from adry mix, and it takesjust minutesto make.

Simple Ingredients

• EVOO (Extra VirginOlive Oil):Use high-qualityextra-virgin olive oilfor its rich flavor and smooth texture.Classic Italian dressinguses EVOO, but you may also usevegetable oil, or try heart-healthyavocado oil.
• Red Wine Vinegar: Redandwhite wine vinegarwork well in this recipe. They provide a tangy and slightly fruity note to balance the flavors.
• Balsamic Vinegar:Adds a touch of sweetness and depth. If you choose not to use it, increase the amount ofred wine vinegarby 2 tablespoons.
• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezedlemon juicebrightens the dressing.
• Fresh Garlic:Minced or pressed garlic brings an aromatic taste to the dressing. You may certainly usegarlic powderinstead, about ½-1 teaspoon.
• Herbs:For thebest Italian dressing, use dried basil or dried oregano, usually in everyspice cabinet. If you havefresh herbs, follow my substitutions chart for replacing.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds a subtle tang and creamy texture to the dressing. It helps emulsify the ingredients and provides a hint of spiciness.
• Salt & Pepper: Kosher salt enhances the flavors and helps balance the overall taste of the dressing and freshly ground black pepper.

Favorite Garlic Press

• No mincing
• Easy to wash
• Dishwasher safe
• Multiple cloves
• Place in unpeeled
• Press Garlic, Ginger and spices too!

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How to Make anEasy Homemade Italian Dressing Recipe

Place all ingredients in a jar, cover, and shake until combined. If preferred, emulsify using an immersion or regular blender and pulse to combine.

That’s it! How easy is that? A perfecthomemade zesty Italian dressingusingbasic ingredients.

This dressing is safe to store on the counter for acouple hoursbefore using; longer storage requires refrigeration.

Freshhomemade dressingsare the best! Be sure to try my Homemade Buttermilk Ranch dressing, this Green Goddess dressing (acopycat recipe) and one of my favorites, Homemade ChunkyBlue Cheese Dressing Recipe.

Is Italian dressing low carb?

Sure is, especially this homemade version, since we don’t use any sugar or sweetener! Only 2 carbs per serving.

Is Italian dressing gluten free?

YES! Naturally, without any changes either, a delicious option for your gluten-free family and friends.

Variations & Substitutions

• Replace the basil and oregano with equal amounts of Italian seasoning instead.
• Play around with thespice mixtures; use a littlegarlic salt,onion powder, and apinch of red pepper flakes; you get the idea!
• Add a few tablespoons of gratedparmesan cheese or nutritional yeast for a vegan Italian dressing recipe.
• As apersonal preference, add your own twist; use a touch ofcelery salt, maybe somefresh parsleyor ateaspoon of honey, sugar or maple syrup.

Vegan Italian dressing recipe

No changes are necessary; this recipe does not use cheese and is naturally vegan. Many vegan recipes include nutritional yeast, adding a little cheesy flavor. Double-check your Dijon mustard too, I use Trader Joe’s Dijon which is vegan.

10 Best Ways to use Italian Vinaigrette

This is my favorite part; use thisaversatile dressing and marinadein so many different ways:

1. Salad Dressing:Toss your favorite greens, such as mixed lettuce, romaine, iceberg, spinach, or arugula, for a flavorful and refreshing salad. Add toppings like tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta cheese for extra texture and taste. Try it on myItalian Chopped Salad.
2. Marinade: Use thezesty Italian dressing recipeas a marinade forchicken breasts, fish,pork chops, beef, or vegetables. Let the protein or vegetables soak in marinade 4 hours to overnight. Grill, bake or sauté them for a delicious and infused flavor. You’ll like my Olive Garden Crock Pot Chicken.
3. Sandwich Spread:Pour the zesty Italian dressing onto your sandwiches, wraps, or paninis. We always pour this on our Italian sub sandwiches!
4. Pasta Salad:Mix cooked pasta with a generous amount of zesty Italian dressing for a vibrant and flavorfulpasta salad; try it on thisItalian antipastopasta salad.
5. Roasted Vegetables: Coat bell peppers, zucchini, cauliflower, and other veggies with zesty Italian dressing before roasting for enhanced flavors and a delicious caramelized glaze.
6. Grilled Vegetables:Brush zesty Italian dressing onto eggplant, asparagus, mushrooms, and more before grilling for tangy, savory, and moist vegetables.
7. Grain Bowls: Drizzle zesty Italian dressing over grain bowls (quinoa, couscous, etc.) for added flavor and moisture, then top with grilled vegetables, protein, and fresh herbs for a wholesome meal.
8. Bruschetta: Use the zesty Italian dressing as a topping for bruschetta.
9. Coleslaw: The dressing provides a refreshing and flavorful alternative to traditional coleslaw dressings.
10. Pizza: Brush the Italian vinaigrette onto pizza dough before grilling or baking it. The dressing adds flavor and helps create a crispy and flavorful crust.

Storage Tips

• Refrigerate: Store thezesty Italian salad dressingin anairtight containeror jar and keep it refrigerated for up to one week or longer, though the flavors might deteriorate over time.
• Shake before use:Give the dressing a good shake or stir to recombine any separated ingredients and distribute the flavors evenly.
• Olive oil-based dressings may solidify in the refrigerator due to the cold temperature. Allow the dressing sit atroom temperaturefor about 30 minutes or run the container under warm water to liquefy the oil before using.
• Make alarge batchof dressing, and consider portioning it into smaller containers. This way, you can take out and use only what you need, keeping the remaining dressing sealed and fresh in the refrigerator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Best Fresh Recipes to Serve with Italian Vinaigrette

I’m going to go out on a limb and say Italian is your thing here! So let’s dive into a flavor bonanza shall we! Try my Grandpa Frank’s Italian Spaghetti Sauce, or this simple Marinara sauce or this Penna alla Vodka (30-minute meal). Or these winners below:

More Sensational Salad Recipes

Because you can never have too many salad recipes! Try this Steakhouse Wedge Salad (with Romaine) or this amazing Mexican Chopped Salad with Honey Lime Dressing and a few of my favorites below:

​I hope you loved this Italian vinaigrette Recipe — if you did, would you share your creation onInstagram,FacebookandPinterest? And be sure to comment below!

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