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.
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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.
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.
Watch How to Make Italian Dressing Video:
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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.
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.
More Homemade Dressings and Sauces:
These homemade dressing recipes prove that making your own is best! Check out all of our condiment recipes here.
- Creamy Caesar Dressing
- Avocado Ranch Dressing
- Tzatziki Sauce
- Homemade Marinara Sauce
- Basil Pesto Sauce
- Chimichurri Sauce
Italian Dressing
Ingredients
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 Tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese, finely grated
- 1 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 garlic clove, finely grated or pressed
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt, or more to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, or to taste
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
Nutrition Per Serving
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
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.
I’m so glad this is one of your favorite salad dressing, Vilko. Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
Is it possible to freeze servings of this to store for later?
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.
Excellent Italian dressing! It tastes amazing and is so easy to prepare. This will be my forever go-to! Thank you!
So happy to hear that! You’re welcome.
Delicious recipe! Could honey be substituted for sugar? If so, how much would you suggest? Thanks
Thank you! You can substitute the sugar for 1 tsp honey.
Thank you so much for responding so quickly – I appreciate you!!!
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!
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.
I don’t have any white wine vinegar. Is there something I can substitute it with?
Hi Julie, please see the note above in the section: “The Best Vinegar for Italian Dressing:”
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!
Aw, that’s wonderful to hear, Carol!
Finally a homemade Italian dressing I love!
Your recipes never fail me, thank you for the effort you put into them?
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!
Easy to make and was delicious on subs !
That’s great, Tinna! Thank you for sharing.