Italian Dressing can wake up a simple dinner in minutes. I love how the sharp red wine vinegar meets rich olive oil, while garlic and herbs bring that familiar savory smell to the kitchen. Better yet, you only need five minutes to make a fresh, tangy dressing for salads, vegetables, pasta, and more.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Italian Dressing
Homemade Italian Dressing gives you bright flavor with very little work. In fact, you can make about 1 cup in only 5 minutes.
The olive oil adds richness, while red wine vinegar and lemon juice bring a fresh tang. Meanwhile, oregano, basil, garlic, and black pepper add plenty of herby flavor.
Also, you can easily adjust this Italian Dressing. Add more vinegar for a sharper bite. Or, add a little more olive oil for a milder taste.
Recipe: Italian dressing
Yield: About 1 cup
Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time: 5 minutes
Serving size: 2 tablespoons
Italian Dressing Ingredients
You only need a few pantry staples for this Italian Dressing. However, fresh garlic and good olive oil make a noticeable difference.
- 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Ingredient Notes and Easy Substitutions
Extra virgin olive oil creates the rich base. Meanwhile, red wine vinegar gives Italian Dressing its classic tangy taste.
Fresh lemon juice adds brightness. Also, Dijon mustard adds a gentle savory note and helps the ingredients stay mixed.
Garlic brings a bold, savory flavor. Then oregano and basil add fragrant herbal notes.
If you prefer a milder taste, add a little more olive oil. However, if you enjoy extra tang, add another small splash of red wine vinegar.
How to Make Italian Dressing
This recipe moves quickly. Therefore, gather all your ingredients before you start.
Combine the Ingredients
Add the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper to a small bowl or jar.
Next, stir everything briefly so the mustard, garlic, and herbs start mixing with the liquids.
Whisk or Shake Until Emulsified
Whisk the Italian Dressing vigorously until everything looks well mixed.
Alternatively, close the jar tightly and shake it well. After a few seconds, the mixture will look slightly thicker and more even.
Taste and Serve
Taste a small spoonful. Then adjust the salt, pepper, vinegar, or olive oil as needed.
You can serve the Italian Dressing right away. Otherwise, seal the container and keep it in the refrigerator.
Tips for the Best Italian Dressing
Simple recipes make every ingredient important. Therefore, taste your dressing before adding it to your meal.
Also, mince the garlic very finely. Small pieces spread the garlic flavor throughout every spoonful.
How to Adjust the Tanginess and Seasoning
For a sharper Italian Dressing, add a little more red wine vinegar or lemon juice.
However, add only a small amount at a time. You can always add more after tasting.
For a softer flavor, add extra olive oil. Then taste again and adjust the salt and pepper.
How to Keep the Dressing Well Blended
Dijon mustard helps the oil and vinegar stay together. Still, homemade Italian Dressing naturally separates as it sits.
Therefore, shake the jar before serving. You can also whisk the dressing again if you store it in a bowl.
How to Use Italian Dressing
Italian Dressing works with much more than leafy salads. In fact, I often keep a jar in the fridge because it can add quick flavor to several meals.
Its tangy flavor works with pasta, vegetables, salads, and chicken. Plus, you can use it as a marinade.
Green Salads and Pasta Salads
Drizzle Italian Dressing over lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, peppers, or olives. Then toss everything until the dressing lightly coats the vegetables.
For pasta salad, start with a small amount. Next, toss the pasta and add more dressing if needed.
Vegetables and Side Dishes
Italian Dressing tastes great with roasted or grilled vegetables. For example, try it with zucchini, mushrooms, peppers, tomatoes, or onions.
Also, you can drizzle it over cooked vegetables just before dinner. As a result, the vinegar and herbs give simple vegetables a brighter flavor.
Using Italian Dressing as a Marinade
Yes, you can use Italian Dressing as a marinade. The olive oil coats the food, while vinegar, lemon, garlic, and herbs add flavor.
For chicken, combine the meat and dressing in a covered container. Then keep it in the refrigerator while it marinates.
Always discard any dressing that touches raw meat.
How to Store Homemade Italian Dressing
Pour leftover Italian Dressing into a clean jar or sealed container. Then store it in the refrigerator.
A jar works especially well because you can quickly shake the dressing before serving.
How Long Italian Dressing Lasts in the Fridge
Store homemade Italian Dressing in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
However, always check the dressing before using it. Discard it if you notice an unusual smell or other signs of spoilage.
What to Do When the Olive Oil Turns Cloudy or Firm
Olive oil can turn cloudy or firm when it gets cold. So, do not worry if your refrigerated Italian Dressing changes texture.
Simply let the jar sit at room temperature briefly. Then shake or whisk the dressing again before serving.
Nutrition per 2 tablespoons: 198 calories, 1 g carbohydrates, 1 g protein, 21 g fat, 3 g saturated fat, 2 g polyunsaturated fat, 15 g monounsaturated fat, 151 mg sodium, 16 mg potassium, 1 g fiber, 1 g sugar, 12 IU vitamin A, 1 mg vitamin C, 9 mg calcium, and 1 mg iron.
More Such Recipes
- Italian chopped salad with homemade dressing
- Fresh Greek salad with tangy homemade dressing
- Mediterranean pasta salad
- Red, white, and blue pasta salad with Italian dressing
- Fresh Caprese salad
- Easy chicken pasta with a fresh Italian-dressed salad
For more simple meal ideas, follow Kai Recipes on Pinterest and Kai Recipes on Facebook.
Italian Dressing FAQs
What is Italian dressing made with?
Italian Dressing usually combines olive oil, vinegar, herbs, garlic, and seasonings. This recipe uses olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, Dijon mustard, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper.
What are the ingredients in an Italian salad with dressing?
An Italian salad can include lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, peppers, and cheese. Then toss everything with Italian Dressing just before serving.
Can I use Italian dressing as a marinade?
Yes. Italian Dressing works well as a marinade because it contains oil, vinegar, garlic, lemon, and herbs. However, keep meat in the refrigerator while it marinates and discard dressing that touches raw meat.
What flavour is Italian dressing?
Italian Dressing tastes bright, tangy, herby, and garlicky. Meanwhile, olive oil balances the vinegar and lemon, while oregano and basil add a savory herbal taste.
Final Thoughts
Homemade Italian Dressing takes only five minutes, yet it adds plenty of fresh flavor to dinner. The combination of rich olive oil, tangy vinegar, lemon, garlic, and herbs works beautifully with so many foods.
So, shake up a jar for tonight’s salad. Then save the rest for pasta salad, vegetables, or a marinade. It is a simple recipe that earns its place in the fridge.
Print
Italian Dressing recipe : Amazing Fresh Flavor in 5 Minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: About 1 cup 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This homemade Italian Dressing comes together in just 5 minutes with extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, Dijon mustard, oregano, and basil. It tastes bright, tangy, herby, and garlicky, and works well for green salads, pasta salads, vegetables, and marinades.
Ingredients
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl or jar.
2. Whisk vigorously or seal the jar and shake until the dressing is thoroughly blended and emulsified.
3. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
4. Use immediately or refrigerate for later use.
Notes
Store the dressing in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
The olive oil may become firm or cloudy when chilled. Allow the dressing to sit at room temperature briefly, then shake or whisk it again before serving.
This Italian Dressing works well with green salads, pasta salads, vegetables, and as a marinade.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Whisking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 198
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 151 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg