Homemade Italian Dressing Recipe
Published January 20, 2021. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Learn how to make this delicious classic homemade Italian dressing recipe that is bursting with cheese and herb flavors!
Growing up my dad used to marinate just about everything in Italian dressing and gosh was it so delicious. If you’re a big marinade fan, then definitely try this dressing out on my T-Bone steak or Chicken Breast recipe.
Italian Dressing
Italian dressing in its simplest form is much different than the Italian dressing we know of here in America. In Italy, it’s maybe red wine vinegar, olive oil, and sugar, and not much else. I’m not sure of how it changed once it came to the United States, but it has many more ingredients. Now, with that being said it is still delicious and incredibly easy to make.
Here are some things that you may find in an American Italian dressing:
- Olive Oil
- Red or White Wine Vinegar
- Garlic
- Onion
- Oregano
- Basil
- Parsley
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Parmesan Cheese
You can swap out dry ingredients with fresh ingredients and in addition, even add things or take them away to make it work for you.
How to Make It
Follow these simple instructions to make this tasty Italian dressing recipe:
Start by adding everything except for the oil to a large mixing bowl.
While continually whisking, slowly drizzle in the oil until the dressing has become emulsified
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make-Ahead: You can make this up 5 days ahead of time.
How to Store: If using dry ingredients, cover and keep in the refrigerator for up to 14 days. If using fresh ingredients, it will last covered for up to 7 days in the refrigerator.
chef notes + tips
- Feel free to use just olive oil or just salad oil in this recipe.
- This dressing also works as a great marinade for vegetables or proteins.
More Dressing Recipes
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Video
Homemade Italian Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 finely mined garlic cloves
- 2 teaspoons dry oregano
- 2 teaspoons dry basil
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoons sugar
- 1/3 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- ½ cup olive oil
- ½ cup salad oil
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients except for the oil to a large size mixing bowl.
- Whisk until everything is completely combined and smooth and then slowly drizzle in the oil while continuing to whisk.
- Refrigerate until ready to use.
Notes
- Make-Ahead: You can make this up 5 days ahead of time.
- How to Store: If using dry ingredients, cover and keep in the refrigerator for up to 14 days. If using fresh ingredients, it will last covered for up to 7 days in the refrigerator.
- Feel free to use just olive oil or just salad oil in this recipe.
- This dressing also works as a great marinade for vegetables or proteins.
I decided I was going to try to start making our salad dressings. The list of ingredients on the back of the bottle is mind boggling. Anyway, my husband loves Italian dressing more than I do. He is picky about Italian dressings. He had Chef Billy’s recipe and stated that he hoped he didn’t ever have to eat the bottled dressing again. Thanks, Chef, for a great recipe! Even I found it very appetizing.
Fantastic! Thank you for giving it a shot!
What would you add to this to make it a “zesty” Italian dressing? Thank you!
red pepper flakes
I leave OUT the sugar. Just fine without.
Excellent
Thanks for giving it a shot!!
I made this as a Marinade, for a tri tip to be smoked and. grilled, loved it
That’s looks delicious I can waite to make this dressing enjoy watching you thank you
Thank you sooo much ChefBilly tasty plus’s get other ways of using this dressing tasty 🤤 yummy
Yes about to thank you ChefBilly 😋😁🤩👋
Thank you for your creativity soooo tasty ChefBilly🤩😁🤩😍
Thank you Chef Billy tasty &fab👋😋
Thank you so much love these tasty pug it on lots of foods as you suggest 😋😁😋🤩
I made this dressing for supper tonight, super easy and I had all the ingredients on hand already. I just added a splash or 2 of water and it was delicious,
So delicious. I used dry ingredients so it would keep in the fridge at the office a little longer. I’ve used it over bib lettuce and also made a pasta salad. So fast and easy to make. Another winning recipe from Chef Billy!
I made this to serve on a salad with lasagna I made for Christmas Eve. It was a big hit. I did not have fresh parsley so I used dried and used a lot less. Everyone loved it. Thank you for sharing Chef.
Love all your salad dressings. Company gets to pick what they like! Thanks for sharing all your wonderful recipes and techniques.
Ok, made this Italian dressing today, going to use as a marinade for a tri tip. I’ll repost after next week, very easy recipe
fantastic!
Been making this delish dressing. Made a big batch to bring on our vacation. Perfect just the way it is!
thanks for giving it a shot!!
Do you happen to have a recipe for Homemade Creamy Garlic dressing? Have been looking for a good one for years! Had a favorite one from a restaurant near us that closed & sadly have not been able to duplicate it…
all of my recipes are on this site.
I made this to go on top of a cucumber/tomato/avocado salad and it was WONDERFUL! Full of flavor! I can see myself using this as a marinade for steak as well. Will definitely be on my table all year round!
awesome!
This Italian dressing is exactly what my Irish mom made (every dinner) for our salads growing up. Thank you so much for this recipe. It means so much to me.
awesome!
Love all of these dressings and will keep making them. You do a great service teaching people to make their own food whenever possible. This is a game changer, a healthier option and a money saver. Thank you for all the time you put into your recipes!
Hi Billy…if you don’t put “dang” back in your repertoire I’m gonna be disappointed…we love you the way you are ❤️🧡💛💚💙
What’s considered salad oil? Not familiar.
any neutral flavored oil
I made the Italian dressing today, it is delicious 😋 Thanks Chef Parisi
Italian dressing recipe was outrageously delish! I substituted Mendocino Mustard (sweet hot) for Dijon. This is definitely being added to my favorite recipes.
Easier than I thought it’d be, and lighter and lovelier than store bought.
Thank you chef, Billy!
What the heck is salad oil?
could be any cheaper oil, canola, safflower, vegetable, etc.