Easy DIY Italian Dressing Recipe

You’re going to adore this vibrant DIY Easy Italian Dressing, crafted in mere minutes with just a handful of basic pantry staples! Ideal for salads, vegetables, marinades, and much more!

No need to buy salad dressings from the store when making it is so straightforward! Just a few commonplace ingredients will allow you to whip up this basic Italian salad dressing in a quick 5 minutes. The mix of oil, vinegar, rich parmesan cheese, fresh garlic, and fragrant herbs makes this one of my top choices for more than just salads!

Reasons to Love This Recipe

• Bright, fresh, and flavorful!
• Quickly prepared with simple pantry items in just 5 minutes.
• Freshly grated parmesan cheese enhances this dressing spectacularly!
• Fantastic for salads, chicken, grilled vegetables, as a marinade for chicken, fish, or steak, and so much more.

Ingredients Needed

This straightforward Italian dressing recipe calls for just a few essential ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry or refrigerator! Here’s what you’ll require:

• olive oil – I prefer to use a good-quality olive oil that doesn’t have to be pricey; just ensure it’s cold-pressed and organic for maximum flavor (in my view).
• white wine vinegar – this brings a delightful tang and zest to the dressing. Apple cider vinegar or champagne vinegar could also be used.
• parmesan cheese – this is a necessity in this dressing and contributes so much flavor depth; be sure to use grated parmesan cheese.
• dijon mustard – this adds a little zing and assists in emulsifying the dressing.
• honey – just a teaspoon will do, and a small amount is quite effective! It significantly balances the vinegar and savory notes. Maple syrup or other natural sweeteners are also good substitutes for honey.
• garlic – I prefer fresh garlic in my salad dressings, but a 1/4 teaspoon of dried minced garlic or garlic powder will suffice if that’s what you have handy.
• herbs – a mix of dried oregano, dried basil, and dried parsley; you could also include fresh herbs if desired.
• salt + pepper – essential for seasoning the dressing and enhancing the flavor.

Crafting Italian Dressing

I genuinely enjoy preparing homemade dressings and vinaigrettes because they’re remarkably simple and take less than 5 minutes to combine. Just whisk all the ingredients together in a jar or bowl, or use a blender or NutriBullet to blend until smooth. Then store the dressing in a sealed airtight container in the fridge until you need it. This Italian dressing can last up to 5 days in the refrigerator, but tastes best when consumed fresh.

I prefer to keep my dressings in mason jars because they seal tightly, are convenient for on-the-go, and you can simply toss all your ingredients in and give the jar a good shake!

Uses for This Dressing

• As a dressing for salads or wraps
• Drizzle over tomatoes, cucumbers, and various other veggies
• Marinate chicken, shrimp, or fish
• In pasta salads or mixed with quinoa or other grain bowls.
• As a dip for bread or vegetables

Additional Dressings You’ll Enjoy

I hope you all appreciate my Easy Italian Dressing! If you enjoy this recipe as much as we do, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below, and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny! I love seeing your delicious interpretations!