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Homemade Italian Dressing (VIDEO)

Homemade Italian Dressing is so much better than storebought because you can add the best quality ingredients like high-quality olive oil and parmesan cheese. This zesty Italian Dressing Recipe tastes fantastic and keeps really well in the refrigerator.

Homemade Italian dressing in a mason jar pouring form a spoon

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Ingredients for Italian Dressing:

The ingredients for homemade Italian Dressing are pantry and refrigerator staples that we always have on hand to quickly whip up a batch. The addition of parmesan and mayo add a creamy element to this Italian dressing.

Ingredients for Homemade salad dressing

I love to make and serve it right out of the mason jar so you can quickly re-shake it before serving and easily store the leftover dressing in the refrigerator. This is so good over a fresh green salad, Italian Pasta Salad or any recipe that calls for Italian Dressing.

How to make homemade salad dressing in a mason jar

Watch How to Make Italian Dressing Video:

I hope this Creamy Italian Dressing makes you fall in love with salad. If you enjoyed this video, please subscribe to our Youtube Channel and don’t forget to click the bell icon so you get a notification when we post a new video.

Which Oil Should I Use?

Store-bought dressings almost always use cheap, poor quality oils because they are cost-effective. With homemade Italian dressing, you control what goes in it. We love using extra virgin olive oil because it adds another layer of flavor. You just have to smell a bottle of extra virgin olive oil when you open it to know it will be a great choice. You can also use mild-flavored oils like regular olive oil, extra light olive oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil.

Italian dressing with extra virgin olive oil and white wine vinegar

The Best Vinegar for Italian Dressing:

the most commonly used vinegar is white wine vinegar. It is less acidic than plain distilled white vinegar and has a deeper flavor because it is a vinegar made from white wine, which makes it perfect for making salad dressings. We did a test with distilled white vinegar and in a pinch, you can still use it to make homemade Italian dressing. If using distilled vinegar, you might add a little less, or just add it to taste.

Can I Omit the Sugar?

The sugar in Italian dressing doesn’t make the dressing sweet, but it balances the acidity of the vinegar but you can add the sugar to taste. If you are looking for a natural alternative, you can substitute the sugar for 1 tsp honey.

Why Did My Dressing Firm Up?

It is normal for a homemade dressing to solidify or firm up when refrigerated. Store-bought dressings add emulsifiers to prevent that but it’s an easy fix. If your dressing firms up with refrigeration, let it sit at room temperature 30 minutes before serving then shake vigorously to re-blend before serving.

Cook’s tip: Remove dressing from the refrigerator before you start making your salad so it is ready to use when you are done prepping your salad.

Homemade Italian dressing in a mason jar ready to be stored in refrigerator

More Homemade Dressings and Sauces:

These homemade dressing recipes prove that making your own is best! Check out all of our condiment recipes here.

Italian Dressing

5 from 434 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
Italian dressing pouring from serving spoon
Italian Dressing is so much better homemade because you can add the best quality ingredients without any additives. This zesty Italian Dressing Recipe tastes fantastic and keeps really well in the refrigerator. 
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 8 people

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in a mason jar, cover tightly with lid and shake until well combined and emulsified.* Add more salt to taste if desired. Use right away or refrigerate up to 2 weeks.

Notes

*You can also whisk dressing together in a mixing bowl or put it into the bowl of a blender or food processor and whirl it up until well blended.

Nutrition Per Serving

148kcal Calories1g Carbs1g Protein16g Fat3g Saturated Fat2g Polyunsaturated Fat10g Monounsaturated Fat1g Trans Fat3mg Cholesterol186mg Sodium12mg Potassium1g Fiber1g Sugar29IU Vitamin A1mg Vitamin C42mg Calcium1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Italian Dressing
Amount per Serving
Calories
148
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
16
g
25
%
Saturated Fat
 
3
g
19
%
Trans Fat
 
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
10
g
Cholesterol
 
3
mg
1
%
Sodium
 
186
mg
8
%
Potassium
 
12
mg
0
%
Carbohydrates
 
1
g
0
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Protein
 
1
g
2
%
Vitamin A
 
29
IU
1
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
42
mg
4
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Condiments, Dressing, Sauce
Cuisine: American, Italian, Mediterranean
Keyword: italian dressing
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 148
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the creator behind Natasha's Kitchen (established in 2009), and I share family-friendly, authentic recipes. I am a New York Times Best-Selling cookbook author and a trusted video personality in the culinary world. My husband, Vadim, and I run this blog together, ensuring every recipe we share is thoroughly tested and approved. Our mission is to provide you with delicious, reliable recipes you can count on. Thanks for stopping by! I am so happy you are here.

Read more posts by Natasha

5 from 434 votes (325 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Vilko
    September 20, 2024

    Italian Dressing

    This tangy, bell pepper-and-herb flecked salad dressing is a favorite in many American restaurants. But “dressing” as Americans know it doesn’t exist in Italy—there, salads are exclusively dressed with oil and vinegar, or sometimes just oil.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 20, 2024

      I’m so glad this is one of your favorite salad dressing, Vilko. Thank you so much for sharing that with me.

      Reply

  • Laura s
    September 5, 2024

    Is it possible to freeze servings of this to store for later?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      September 5, 2024

      Hello Laura! I think you can freeze the leftovers but the texture will be affected when thawed. We usually just put the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate it for a few days.

      Reply

  • Nancy Reinking
    September 5, 2024

    Excellent Italian dressing! It tastes amazing and is so easy to prepare. This will be my forever go-to! Thank you!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      September 5, 2024

      So happy to hear that! You’re welcome.

      Reply

  • Lori
    September 3, 2024

    Delicious recipe! Could honey be substituted for sugar? If so, how much would you suggest? Thanks

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      September 3, 2024

      Thank you! You can substitute the sugar for 1 tsp honey.

      Reply

  • Carol
    August 11, 2024

    Thank you so much for responding so quickly – I appreciate you!!!

    Reply

  • Carol E
    August 10, 2024

    Hi – I want to make this but have no fresh garlic – how much granulated garlic would you start with?
    Also, I do not have mayonnaise – how much will no mayo alter the flavor? Alternate suggestion?
    Thank you!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 10, 2024

      Hi Carol! I have not tested an alternative. Maybe Greek yogurt could work but I’m not sure how it would taste.
      Regarding the garlic granules- I did a quick online search. 1/4 tsp of the fine granules is equivalent to 1 clove of garlic. Hope this helps.

      Reply

  • Julie
    August 8, 2024

    I don’t have any white wine vinegar. Is there something I can substitute it with?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 8, 2024

      Hi Julie, please see the note above in the section: “The Best Vinegar for Italian Dressing:”

      Reply

  • Carol
    August 5, 2024

    I had no Italian dressing in the house .. how did that happen .. I panicked! BUT, I checked out your site and you saved the day! The best part was that I had all the ingredients.
    It was a big hit .. even the grandchildren loved it!
    Thank you (again), Natasha!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 5, 2024

      Aw, that’s wonderful to hear, Carol!

      Reply

  • Lori
    July 17, 2024

    Finally a homemade Italian dressing I love!
    Your recipes never fail me, thank you for the effort you put into them?

    Reply

  • Ramya
    July 17, 2024

    This is my absolute favorite go-to Italian dressing recipe! Made it over a dozen times at this point and a hit every time! Thank you so much!

    Reply

  • Tinna
    July 6, 2024

    Easy to make and was delicious on subs !

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      July 6, 2024

      That’s great, Tinna! Thank you for sharing.

      Reply

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