Homemade Italian Dressing

October 2024 · 4 minute read

This homemade Italian dressing recipe is a staple in our kitchen. It calls for a handful of basic ingredients, and it's delicious on salads, grains, and more!

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italian dressing

Move over, bottled Italian dressing! This homemade Italian dressing recipe is super easy to make, and it tastes far better than any store bought kind. Trust me, I know. Growing up in the Midwest, I tried bottled Italian salad dressings left and right. They were a staple at the salad bar, the secret ingredient in everyone’s pasta salad, and the default marinade for any protein.

I get it. Reaching for a bottle of pre-made dressing is quick and easy. But once you try this homemade Italian dressing recipe, you’ll won’t look back. It’s a breeze to make, it uses simple, nourishing ingredients, and it’s zesty, fresh, and bright. It’s a staple in our house, and I think you’ll love it too.

Italian Dressing Recipe Ingredients

You only need a few basic ingredients to make this easy homemade Italian dressing:

Add the olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, honey, herbs, salt, and pepper to a small bowl, and whisk to combine. Alternatively, place the ingredients in a Mason jar with a tight-fitting lid, and shake until the dressing is emulsified. Season to taste, and enjoy!

I like this recipe for Italian dressing as-is, but if you want to amp up the flavor even more, stir in a few tablespoons of freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving. This homemade salad dressing is also delicious with a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat!

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

Homemade Italian Dressing Serving Suggestions

This homemade Italian dressing recipe is really versatile! Once you have it on hand, you won’t have any trouble putting it to use. Toss it with your favorite greens to make a simple side salad, use it in my Mediterranean Quinoa Salad, or swap it in for the dressing in any of these salad recipes:

Not in the mood for salad? Not a problem! This zesty dressing has other uses, too. Here are a few of my favorites:

How do you like to use homemade Italian dressing? Let me know in the comments!

More Homemade Dressing Recipes

If you love this Italian salad dressing recipe, try one of these homemade dressings next:

Italian Dressing

rate this recipe:5 from 132 votesPrep Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 5 minutes Serves 4 to 6Save Recipe Print RecipeThis easy homemade Italian dressing recipe is SO much better than store bought! Toss it with salads, roasted veggies, whole grains, and more.

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Make this recipe vegan by using maple syrup instead of honey and omitting the optional cheese.

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