Homemade Italian Dressing Recipe

Savor the flavors of Italy from the comfort of your home with this zesty Homemade Italian Dressing recipe.

The last time I traveled to Italy, my husband and I were childless and stopped wherever our hearts desired. Two kids later and the closest I’ve been to Italy in years is the Travel channel. With a combination of tart apple cider vinegar, earthy herbs, and olive oil, this Homemade Italian Dressing takes me right back to dining at small cafes on the streets of Florence and the canals of Venice.

I love to add a salad with this Homemade Italian Dressing to an Italian favorite like Easy Baked Pasta or mix things up a bit and use the dressing as a marinade for the Roasted Chicken and Vegetable Salad.

However I incorporate this dressing into my meal, it’s like an edible memory, and that is worth eating night after night.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Italian dressing is like the Little Black Dress: you need a great one in the closet/pantry that can be pulled out and used for a variety of occasions. Italian dressing goes great with all kinds of foods, from leafy spring or pasta salads to pork hoagies or chicken kebabs.

Plus, I love how refreshing this dressing tastes. Compare the ingredients in this recipe to the list on a store-bought bottle. You won’t find any preservatives or hard-to-pronounce names, just a group of fresh, delicious ingredients.

Ingredients

It might seem like a long list, but all you’re doing is mixing it all together into one delicious dressing.

½ cup Olive oil
¼ cup Apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsp Lemon juice
1 clove Garlic, crushed
1 Tbsp Honey
1 tsp Dijon mustard
2 tsp dried Oregano
1 tsp dried Thyme
2 Tbsp fresh Parsley, finely chopped
½ tsp Salt
¼ tsp Black pepper, freshly ground

How to Make – The Steps

Step 1: Add all your ingredients into a bowl.

Step 2: Whisk until it comes together.

Step 3: Pour into a jar with a lid and place in the fridge or drizzle it over your salad.

Tips & Tricks to Make a Perfect Italian Dressing

High-quality ingredients truly make or break this dressing. Use extra-virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and organic honey.
To ensure the oil and vinegar are mixed well, whisk the dressing until it emulsifies. If you want it really smooth, use a food processor. Also, make sure to crush the garlic clove!
If I have time, I like to let the dressing sit for a few hours before serving. The flavors meld together and enhance the taste.

FAQs

Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh ones?

No problem! Just watch how much you’re putting in because fresh herbs are less potent than dried ones.

Can I store the dressing at room temperature?

It’s best to store the dressing in the fridge to keep it fresh and flavourful.

What are some possible substitutions for this recipe?

This recipe is like a choose-your-own-adventure book. Want more garlic? Toss in an extra clove. Need a bit of kick? Add some chili flakes. Prefer white or red wine vinegar? Sub them in for the apple cider.

Can I vegan-ize this recipe?

When I have vegan friends over for dinner, I simply swap out the honey for agave syrup. Easy peasy.

Serving Suggestions

This Homemade Italian Dressing is a delightful addition to your table. You can drizzle it over a fresh salad or use it as a marinade for chicken or fish. (It would be great for the Chilean Sea Bass!). I’ve subbed it for the mustard sauce in this One-Pan Roasted Chicken and Vegetables recipe and even my kids cleaned their plates (but they left when we started reminiscing about Italy!). The possibilities are endless with this versatile Italian dressing.

How to Store

This Homemade Italian Dressing can last in an airtight jar in your fridge for up to two weeks. Bonus: the dressing becomes even more flavorful as the days go by. Give the dressing a good shake to mix up the vinegar and oil and serve chilled or at room temperature.