Are you trying to figure out how to make Italian dressing in bulk? Or are you sick of the preservatives and added sugars in store-bought dressings? Then this recipe, along with pantry staple ingredients, and 5 minutes of your time, is all you need to solve every single one of those problems.
This homemade Italian dressing is so much better than store-bought dressing and is packed with flavors. With a perfect balance of tangy and slightly sweet flavors, this homemade salad dressing works great.
The best part? It's incredibly quick and easy to make and requires no preservatives.
I tested this dressing to find the perfect balance of ingredients, and I'm very happy with the final results.
If you're a fan of this Italian dressing recipe, you'll definitely want to try it in my cucumber and red onion salad. The tangy flavors of the dressing pair perfectly with this homemade salad.
Or, if you're in the mood for a hearty salad, my pasta salad will taste great with this dressing.
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Why This Is The Best Homemade Italian Dressing Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This Italian dressing recipe is a cinch to prepare. With just a few simple steps, you'll have a delicious dressing ready in minutes.
- Flavor-Packed: The combination of olive oil, red wine vinegar, and a blend of herbs and spices creates a dressing that's packed with classic Italian flavors.
- Customizable: This recipe serves as a great base that you can customize to your liking. Add more garlic for an extra twist, or adjust the sweetness to suit your preference.
- Versatile: This Italian dressing is not only perfect for salads, but also makes a great marinade for meat and vegetables.
- Preservative Free: There are no preservatives in homemade dressings, making this a much healthier option than store-bought versions.
Key Ingredients
Here's an overview of some key ingredients for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and measurements, please scroll to the recipe card below.
- Olive Oil: This will be the base of our dressing, giving it a rich and smooth texture.
- Red Wine Vinegar: The acidity of red wine vinegar will help to balance the flavors of the dressing and add a tangy twist.
- Dijon Mustard: A teaspoon of this will give the dressing a subtle tang and help to emulsify the ingredients. I love and recommend course-ground Dijon mustard.
- Garlic: Minced or pressed garlic cloves will infuse the dressing with a warm, aromatic flavor.
- Maple Syrup: This natural sweetener will balance out the acidity of the vinegar and add a hint of sweetness to the dressing.
- Herbs: We'll be using dried oregano to add a classic Italian flavor to the dressing.
How to Make Italian Dressing
Making this incredible Italian dressing recipe at home is super easy and will give you great results every single time. Here's how to make it step by step:
- Combine ingredients: Add all ingredients to a mason jar. This includes olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, minced garlic, Maple syrup, salt, and pepper.
- Shake well: Cover the mason jar tightly with a lid and shake well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Serve: Drizzle your homemade Italian dressing over your favorite green salad or vegetables. Don't forget to shake well before serving each time to blend the flavors.
For a full list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.
Tips For Making the Best Italian Dressing
- Use High-Quality Ingredients: For the best Italian dressing, use the highest quality olive oil and red wine vinegar you can afford. These ingredients form the base of the dressing and really affect the overall flavor.
- Adjust to Your Liking: Feel free to adjust the ingredients to suit your own personal tastes. If you like your dressing a bit tangier, add a little extra red wine vinegar. If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the amount of garlic.
- Let it Marinate: If you have time, let your Italian dressing sit for a while before using it. This will give the flavors time to meld together, resulting in a more delicious salad.
Serving Suggestions
- For a light lunch, pair this homemade Italian vinaigrette with a classic pasta salad. The robust flavors of the dressing perfectly complement the pasta and fresh veggies. It's a refreshing and satisfying meal that's quick and easy to prepare.
- Looking for a hearty dinner option? Try using this Italian salad dressing to marinate a chicken breast. Then, grill it to perfection and serve it on a bed of mixed greens. The dressing adds a touch of Italy to this protein-packed dish.
- Want a quick and easy side dish? Drizzle this homemade Italian dressing over a bowl of mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella. The tangy flavors of the dressing will elevate this simple salad into a gourmet treat.
Recipe Variation Ideas
- Spicier: Add a half teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the Italian salad dressing recipe for a spicier twist. This will give your dressing a nice twist that pairs perfectly with a hearty pasta salad or a mixed green salad.
- Citrusy: If you're a fan of citrus flavors, try adding a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to the dressing. This will give it a refreshing, tangy twist that's perfect for summer salads.
- Other Herbs: For a different take on this Italian vinaigrette, you can also experiment with other herbs. Try adding a teaspoon of fresh basil or thyme to the mix. This will give your dressing a unique, gourmet flavor that's guaranteed to impress.
- Different Wine: If you don't have red wine vinegar on hand, you can substitute it with white wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar. Each substitution will give your Italian dressing a slightly different flavor, so feel free to experiment and find your favorite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can. While olive oil is the traditional choice for Italian dressing, you can also use other healthy types of oil, such as avocado oil. Just keep in mind that this may change the overall flavor of the dressing.
If you don't have red wine vinegar, you can substitute it with white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar. This will give the dressing a slightly different flavor, but it will still be delicious.
If you don't have maple syrup, you can use honey or sugar as a substitute. They will add sweetness to the dressing, but keep in mind that they will also alter the flavor slightly.
Absolutely! This versatile Italian dressing can be used as a marinade for chicken, beef, or fish. It also makes a delicious sauce for pasta salad. Get creative and use it in any dish that could use a burst of Italian flavors.
Yes, if you don't have a mason jar, you can make this dressing in a bowl or any other container with a tight-fitting lid. Just make sure to whisk the ingredients together well to combine them.
How to Store Leftovers
- Refrigerate: After enjoying your homemade Italian dressing recipe, store any leftovers in the fridge for up to two weeks. After this time, the flavors may start to deteriorate.
- Freezing: Due to the olive oil content, freezing this dressing is not recommended. Olive oil can become solid and change in texture when frozen, which can alter the overall quality and flavors of the dressing.
Try This Dressing Recipe
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Recipe
Easy Homemade Italian Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 cloves garlic dinely minced or pushed through a garlic press
- 1 teaspoon Maple syrup
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a mason jar.
- Cover tightly with a lid and shake well until combined.
- Drizzle over your favorite green salad or vegetables.
Notes
Nutrition
Iryna Bychkiv is the founder and writer of the culinary website Lavender & Macarons, where she shares clean, European-inspired recipes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and made with wholesome ingredients. Iryna loves creating meals that are simple yet healthy and unique, including vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Iryna is also a freelance writer for MSN and Associated Press Wire.
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