Homemade Italian dressing is easy to make and tastes SO MUCH better than store-bought. It’s made in just 5 minutes with kitchen-staple ingredients and keeps well for weeks, so you can make a quick and delicious salad whenever you want.
Despite its name, Italian dressing is an American creation, inspired by Italian flavors rather than originating in Italy. I make mine with olive oil, wine vinegar, lemon juice, and Italian seasoning, which gives it that bright, zesty kick I’m always after. A little garlic powder and some Parmesan take it over the top and make it extra flavorful.
I skip adding sugar because I find it throws off the balance and dulls those sharp, savory notes I love in a vinaigrette. Making it at home also means it’s fresh, bold, and exactly how I like it — no bottled shortcuts required.
How to store this salad dressing
The best way to store salad dressing is in a jar in your fridge. We use a glass Mason jar with a tight-fitting screw-top lid . Give the jar a good shake to mix it up again before using it.
How long does homemade Italian dressing last?
This salad dressing will last for at least 2 weeks in your fridge. NOTE: If you use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder, the dressing will only last for 1 week.
How to use Italian salad dressing
The most obvious way to use Italian dressing is on a salad. We love using baby salad greens, arugula, or green leaf lettuce mixed with crunchy veggies than tossed with this dressing. But this zest Italian dressing is good on more than just greens. Here are a few other ways to use it:
- Make Italian dressing chicken <– this is SO GOOD!!
- Make Italian dressing potatoes then bake them until they’re crispy.
- Use it to cook fish in a skillet.
- Use it to make Italian dressing pork chops .
- Serve it as a dip for veggies.
- Mix it into rice or your favorite cooked grains.
Homemade Italian Salad Dressing (5 minute recipe!)
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Ingredients
- ▢ ½ cup olive oil
- ▢ ¼ cup red or white wine vinegar
- ▢ 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ▢ 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning (try our homemade Italian seasoning!)
- ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder OR 1 finely minced garlic clove (see notes)
- ▢ ½ teaspoon EACH: sea salt and pepper
- ▢ Optional: ¼ cup finely grated parmesan cheese (see notes)
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake well. ½ cup olive oil, ¼ cup red or white wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder OR 1 finely minced garlic clove, ½ teaspoon EACH: sea salt and pepper, Optional: ¼ cup finely grated parmesan cheese
- Store the dressing in your fridge for up to 2 weeks. (See notes) Shake well to mix the ingredients each time before you use it.
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here .
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Homemade Italian Salad Dressing (5 minute recipe!)
Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup red or white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning , try our homemade Italian seasoning!
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder OR 1 finely minced garlic clove , see notes
- ½ teaspoon EACH: sea salt and pepper
- Optional: ¼ cup finely grated parmesan cheese , see notes
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake well. ½ cup olive oil, ¼ cup red or white wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon garlic powder OR 1 finely minced garlic clove, ½ teaspoon EACH: sea salt and pepper, Optional: ¼ cup finely grated parmesan cheese
- Store the dressing in your fridge for up to 2 weeks. (See notes) Shake well to mix the ingredients each time before you use it.
