This easy homemade Italian Dressing Recipe delivers bold, zesty flavor in just 5 minutes using simple pantry staples and real Parmesan. No filler ingredients here and it’s fresher and tastier than store-bought too!
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It’s SO worth making your own Italian dressing!
I started making my own salad dressings years ago when I realized how many store-bought versions relied on gums, stabilizers, and WAY too much sugar. And whether it’s Lemon Vinaigrette, Green Goddess Dressing or this Italian dressing recipe, it’s always quick, easy, and the flavor blows away those store-bought bottles!
This Italian dressing has those Italian-American restaurant vibes—tangy and bright, garlicky, and savory (hat tip to that fresh Parm!), perfect for tossing with an Italian Chopped Salad.
Let’s discuss what makes it so fab:
Ready in Just 5 Minutes. Whisk or shake everything together. That’s it!
No Additives or Preservatives. If you’re avoiding ultra-processed foods, you will appreciate the simplicity here. You know exactly what’s in it!
Not Just for Salads. Use it as a marinade for chicken, drizzle it onto Oven Roasted Vegetables, or use it as a dressing for Italian Pasta Salad.
Restaurant-Quality Flavor. Fresh garlic and real-deal Parmesan cheese make all the difference.
Key Ingredients
You’ll find the full list of ingredients for this Italian dressing recipe in the blog post below, but here are some notes to keep in mind.
Olive Oil. This is a recipe where you can put that bottle of fancy, fruity extra-virgin olive oil to use. You’ll notice those little flavor nuances here since we’re not using the oil for cooking.
Red Wine Vinegar. For a pop of bright, tangy flavor. While you can use other vinegars, red wine vinegar is what gives you that classic Italian dressing taste.
Garlic. Grating the clove helps it blend evenly into the dressing.
Seasonings. A blend of Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper.
Honey. No, it’s not going to make the dressing sweet! A little bit of honey takes the edge off of the acidity, giving you a smoother flavor.
Parmesan Cheese. Grate your own from the block! “Shaky cheese” from the green bottle has a gritty texture, while freshly grated Parm has a more pleasing texture in a dressing.
Recipe Variations
Make It Creamy. Whisk in 1–2 tablespoons mayonnaise or Greek yogurt.
Add Fresh Herbs. Stir in fresh chopped parsley, basil, or oregano.
Make It Vegan. Leave out the Parmesan for a dairy-free Italian dressing recipe.
How to Make Italian Dressing
Whisk the base. Combine olive oil, vinegar, garlic, Italian seasoning, honey, salt, and pepper and whisk until emulsified. (Or, if you prefer, shake it all in a jar.)
Add the cheese. Stir in Parmesan and season to taste. Use immediately or refrigerate until you’re ready to use. ENJOY!
Make It a Salad
Now that you’ve got your dressing ready to go, let’s make a salad with it. For a classic restaurant-style side salad, toss this Italian dressing recipe with:
Romaine lettuce
Thinly sliced red onion
Sliced cucumbers
Grape tomatoes
Want to gussy it up a little more? Try adding Roasted Chickpeas, croutons, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, or make it a meal with diced Baked Chicken Breast.
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Homemade Italian Dressing Recipe
This easy Italian dressing recipe is made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, and Parmesan for bold, fresh flavor in 5 minutes!
Course condiment, Salad
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 5 minutesminutes
Total Time 5 minutesminutes
Servings 6servings (2/3 cup)
Calories 125kcal
Author Erin Clarke / Well Plated
Ingredients
⅓cupolive oil
2tablespoonsred wine vinegar
1clovegarlicgrated
1teaspoonItalian seasoning
1 ½teaspoonshoney
¼teaspoonkosher saltplus additional to taste
A few grinds freshly cracked black pepper
3tablespoonsfreshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
In a liquid measuring cup with a spout our a small bowl, briskly whisk together the oil, vinegar, garlic, Italian seasoning, honey, salt, and pepper (alternatively, you can shake them together in a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid).
Stir in the Parmesan. Taste and adjust the seasoning as desired.
Notes
TO STORE: Store Italian dressing in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The oil may solidify when chilled—just let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes and shake or whisk before using.
