This homemade Italian dressing is molto bene! It’s light and zesty, loaded with herbs, and perfect for drizzling on anything for a fresh Italian touch.
Why You’ll Love This Italian Dressing
The one thing I love about Italian food is how fresh it is. A quick drizzle of olive oil and vinegar over salads is common among locals, plain and simple. But when you need that extra punch of flavor, a batch of my homemade Italian dressing is the best thing ever. Similar to my Greek salad dressing, it adds a special touch to traditional Italian flavors and is guaranteed to be 1000x better than any store-bought bottled version. Here’s why else you’ll love my recipe:
- It’s made in 10 minutes. A short amount of prep time delivers the freshest taste of Italy!
- There’s no fillers or funky ingredients. Supermarket jars of Italian dressing often contain fillers, preservatives, colorings, and other unnecessary ingredients. This homemade version only contains pure, wholesome ingredients.
- It’s great for meal prep. This dressing keeps for about a week, making it a versatile ingredient to have on hand. Drizzle it over salads (especially an Italian chopped salad), use it as a chicken marinade, and more!
Italian Dressing Ingredients
- Olive Oil: Grab a bottle of extra-virgin olive oil. Brands I typically gravitate towards are California Olive Ranch and Lucini.
- Vinegar & Lemon Juice: I’m using red wine vinegar, but white vinegar works just fine! And as always, fresh lemon juice is best.
- Honey & Dijon Mustard: Technically, you don’t have to put honey in this. But I find that the bit of sweetness helps to balance out the tangy, savory flavors.
- Dried Herbs: A blend of dried oregano, basil, and thyme makes up the best of Italian seasoning.
- Garlic: Garlic powder is an option, but fresh minced garlic does wonders in a vinaigrette.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
How to Make Italian Dressing
Good news, this dressing is made in an instant! Just vigorously whisk together all the ingredients in a small bowl, and it’s ready for drizzling. If you’re immediately storing it away, you can shake up the dressing in this glass jar and pop it in the fridge. It’ll last for up to one week!
Helpful Tips
- Dressing ratio: Common ratios of oil to vinegar in dressings are either 3:1 or 2:1. I prefer the latter, but feel free to adjust the amount of oil to your preference.
- Make it a little thicker: Adding a smidge more Dijon mustard will bump up the thickness, similar to my Dijon vinaigrette.
- Make it a creamy dressing: Whisk in a small spoonful of Greek yogurt or mayonnaise to make it creamier. Remember, less is more to prevent curdling.
- If you don’t like raw garlic: You can swap in finely diced shallot for a milder flavor.
Ways to Use Italian Dressing
- Toss with other types of salads. Give a white bean salad with freshly chopped herbs an Italian touch with this dressing.
- Drizzle over grilled veggies. This would taste exceptionally well with veggies like grilled zucchini or eggplant. I also like to drizzle this over antipasto skewers for a simple, fresh appetizer.
- Use as a marinade. This is one of my favorite chicken marinades for grilled chicken or baked chicken. Especially in this Italian sheet pan chicken breast meal!
More Easy Dressing Ideas
- Lemon Vinaigrette: Another staple vinaigrette I always have in my fridge.
- Caesar Dressing: The best homemade version yet!
- Balsamic Vinaigrette: The perfect rich, sweet, and tangy dressing.
- Coleslaw Dressing: A must-make for homemade coleslaw.
If you make this Italian dressing recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below! Your review will help other readers in the community. And if you’re hungry for more healthy food inspiration (and exclusive content), join my free newsletter.
Description
Video
Equipment
- Glass Mixing Bowls My favorite set of nesting bowls in all sizes!
- Glass Dressing Jar Perfect for storing and drizzling.
Ingredients
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup red or white wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- pinch of freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Stir it together. In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, lemon juice, honey, oregano, basil, thyme, garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Use or store. Use it immediately or store it in a sealed container in the fridge for up to one week.
Lisa’s Tips
- This recipe makes approximately 1 cup of dressing. Each serving is about 2 tablespoons.
- Storage tip: This will last for up to one week in the fridge.
Nutrition
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Behind The Scenes
I’ve been trying to do a better job at measuring total quantities for my sauces and dressings, as per your requests! And for this Italian dressing, it measures almost exactly one cup. That means there’s plenty to enjoy drizzled on salads or for marinating my grilled chicken recipe, hint hint.
OMG…. this dressing is amazing!
I will be making this recipe as a staple in my kitchen from now on!!! Love, love, love!!!
Yay, happy to hear you love it, Donna!
Will it work without honey? I have to say away from sugar.
Hi Joyce – yes, you can omit the honey. Enjoy!
Absolutely love this dressing, I make it all the time, so much better than store bought!
Happy to hear this Italian dressing is such a hit, Angela!
This Italian dressing looks so good I’m going to give it a try! My only hesitation is that it will only last 1 week in the refrigerator. Not sure I could use it up that quickly.
Hi Marianne – it will likely last for a bit longer, I always just like to be conservative on storage details. Hope you enjoy it!
It is a great recipe! I like it a lot, tastes delicious. But the name is irritating. Italians don’t use it. If you go to Italy please don’t expect that you get a dressing like this. Italiens usually only use oil, vinegar, salt and pepper as their salad dressings in restaurants. Just have that in mind if you visit Italy.
Hi Katja – So glad you love this dressing! In the US, Italian dressing is a mainstream term for this type of dressing, even though Italians themselves might not make it exactly like this. ;)
I made this instead of using bottled Italian dressing in the cowboy caviar recipe. I appreciate your suggestions for substitutions. Fresh garlic has a bit too much bite for my family’s tastes, so I used garlic powder.
I just made this — it’s the perfect vinaigrette! Thank you for the recipe!
Thrilled you’re loving this Italian dressing, Christine!
I just found my new favorite Italian dressing.
Happy to hear you found the perfect recipe for you, Victoria!
Thank you for sharing!
Of course, Michelle. Enjoy!
I just made this Italian dressing the other day after reading the recipe for the skewers. I’ve been making salads for lunch using this dressing and it is delicious!!! I do like the little hint of sweetness that you get from the honey. I’ll definitely make it again.
Thrilled to hear you are loving this Italian dressing, Alicia!
One of my go to dressing recipes. Perfectly delicious and versatile.
Thrilled you’re loving this Italian dressing recipe, Candace!
Fantastic and easy recipe! I put canned artichokes in the jar of dressing to double up on its use!
Yum, love that idea!
I just made the dressing for the grilled chicken and use a bit of leftover for my salad. The best Italian dressing! The flavor is amazing! Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Oh yay! Happy to hear you’re loving this Italian dressing as a marinade and salad dressing, Lia!
This dressing is amazing! I love the flavour, it’s one of my favourites to make!
Hi Shi – Glad you’re loving this Italian dressing recipe!
Thank you can’t wait to make this dressing.
Excited for you to try this fruit salad, enjoy!
Excellent! Tastes like I am at an Italian restaurant. Great on salad, and also really nice as a dip for pizza crust.
Hi Jessica – Happy to hear you’re loving this Italian dressing! Sounds like you’ve put it to good use for many recipes.
Just what I wanted to see. It’s always best to make your own everything.
I also like your cabbage soup recipe very much.
I like to fry the vegs in lard for added flavor, and add home prepared white beans.
You can never beat homemade dressings! Glad you love this Italian one, along with many other recipes. Enjoy, Joseph!
That’s true. The envelopes of Italian dressing I was eating have sugar and maltodextrin in it, and I definitely don’t want to be eating that stuff. Thank you for your replies. You have some real good recipes here. Congrats.
Thanks so much, Joseph! I’m glad you’re enjoying them!
Best Italian dressing recipe! My husband loved it! Lisa’s recipes are the easiest and tastier, thanks!
Wonderful! Glad you and your husband are loving this homemade Italian dressing, Astrid.
I made this for a salad for my daughter’s birthday. I was a little concerned that the oil and vinegar might separate and it might not be flavorful but it turned out really good. I just had my son mix it before he served up. I didn’t have lemons so I used a combination of red and white wine vinegar. I would like to try it again with the lemon juice though. I like the idea of putting the rest on roasted vegetables. One of the things I haven’t liked about home made dressing is not knowing what to do with it and finding it in the back of the refrigerator, not even remembering when I made it so your tips on other uses are helpful.
Hi Sara – I’m glad you enjoyed this homemade version. And yes, it’s great on roasted veggies!
Hi Lisa,
You recommend putting this dressing on roasted vegetables, before or after they’re roasted? I make about 2 half sheet pans full of various roasted vegs per week lately. They’re even better the next day or two than the day I roast them. I’ve been experimenting with various things to coat them with before I roast them, like olive oil, real salt, oregano, garlic powder, etc. They’re filling, because roasting vegs condenses the vegs.
Hi Joseph – It’ll be best to add the dressing after they’ve been roasted. Hope that helps!
Thanks Lisa…..This dressing makes my mouth water….I’m going to use it to douse my raw veggies. Trying to eat smarter….In my 70’s now and time flies…..I’ve oftened wondered if you’re married. I am not. I was,
years back, and have three wonderful adult children and six grands. The loves of my life…..That is besides your channel……❤️U
Hi Diane – There’s so many ways to use this Italian dressing, I can’t wait to see how you use it! I hope you continue to enjoy my channel for years to come.
very good! I used as a steak marinade as well. thank you
Glad this worked out great as a steak marinade as well, Jennifer!
Fantastic! Simple and delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Of course, Patti! Glad you enjoyed this Italian dressing.
Amazing! My hubby had a second helping of salad! says a lot!
Oh wonderful! Happy to hear you both enjoyed this dressing, Araceli!
Will definitely try..thank you
Enjoy, Barbara!
Delicious dressing! I accidentally put some fresh parsley in it, which gave it a green look, but I think it added to such a fab flavour! 😍
Love the idea of adding fresh parsley to this Italian dressing, Danica!
This sounds delicious and I’m excited to try it. From your photos it looks like your dressing is in a Quattro Stagion jar. I was wondering what size jar it is?
Hi Holly – yes, you’re correct on the jar! I believe that was the 6.75 oz jar. Hope you enjoy the Italian dressing!
Lisa this was so perfect! I added a shallot as well as the garlic, gave it a little kick. Put this dressing on a sliced up Rotisserie chicken, tomatoes, cucumber salad. Will use this dressing on so many other dishes. Easy and so good. Make this, youll have people wanting this recipe. Thank you!
Hi Michele – Thrilled to hear you enjoyed this Italian dressing! Sounds delicious served with a garden fresh chicken salad. Can’t wait to see how else you use it.
I made this dressing and it is good. I made salad and also used it on a sandwich with good crusty bread. Delicious!
Hi Kim – Loving all the ways you used this Italian dressing, enjoy!
Retired and start to cook since I have discovered downshiftology. Lisa,the new Italian dressing is super easy (as most of your recipes) and super delicious ( as every recipe of your that I tried) Love the way you present and instructions are clear and easy to navigate. Congratulations 👏👏.ns: My wife is an artist and love me even more since she has more time to paint🌱
Hi Fanus – Happy to hear you’ve rediscovered a love for cooking again and that you’re loving this Italian dressing!
Would you mind sending a link to the cute dressing bottle in the picture please?
Hi Pearl – it’s called a quattro stagioni jar. :)
This is the BEST homemade Italian dressing I have ever tasted! So fresh, so delicious. The flavors are amazing!
Hi Denise – Thrilled to hear you’ve found the perfect homemade Italian dressing!