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 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.