Easy Homemade Italian Dressing Recipe

This vibrant homemade Easy Italian Dressing can be prepared in just a few minutes with basic pantry staples! Ideal for salads, vegetables, marinades, and much more!

Why spend money on store-bought salad dressings when making your own is so simple? You only need a handful of pantry ingredients to whip up this straightforward Italian salad dressing in merely 5 minutes. The blend of oil, vinegar, rich parmesan cheese, fresh garlic, and delightful herbs transforms this into one of my top dressings that goes well beyond salads!

Reasons to Love this Recipe

• Bright, fresh, and delicious!
• Quickly made with basic pantry items in only 5 minutes.
• Freshly grated parmesan cheese truly enhances the flavor of this dressing!
• Great for salads, chicken, grilled vegetables, as a marinade for chicken, fish, or steak, and much more.

Ingredients You Will Need

This effortless Italian dressing recipe calls for just a few simple ingredients that you likely already have at home in your pantry or refrigerator! Here’s your shopping list:

• olive oil – I prefer using high-quality olive oil that doesn’t need to be pricey; just ensure it’s cold-pressed and organic for optimal taste (in my view).
• white wine vinegar – this introduces a lovely tanginess and zest to the dressing. Apple cider vinegar or champagne vinegar can be used as alternatives.
• parmesan cheese – this is a necessary ingredient for this dressing, adding rich flavor, just be sure to use grated parmesan cheese.
• dijon mustard – this adds a bit of zest and aids in emulsifying the dressing.
• honey – simply one teaspoon is all you need, and a small amount has a big impact! This really helps balance the vinegar and savory notes. You could also substitute with maple syrup or another natural sweetener.
• garlic – I am a fan of using fresh garlic in my salad dressings, but 1/4 teaspoon of dried minced garlic or garlic powder will work perfectly if that’s what you have available.
• herbs – a mix of dried oregano, dried basil, and dried parsley; you can also add fresh herbs if wanted.
• salt + pepper – necessary for seasoning this dressing and enhancing flavor.

Steps to Prepare Italian Dressing

I adore creating homemade dressings and vinaigrettes as they are so straightforward and can be prepared in less than 5 minutes. Simply 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 refrigerator until you’re ready to enjoy it. This Italian dressing can last up to 5 days in the fridge, though it definitely tastes best when fresh.

I personally prefer to keep my dressings in mason jars since they have a secure seal, are easy to carry, and you can just combine all your ingredients and give the jar a good shake!

Ways to Utilize This Dressing

• Salad or wrap dressing
• Drizzle over tomatoes, cucumbers, and various vegetables
• Marinate chicken, shrimp, or fish
• Incorporate into pasta salads or mix with quinoa or other grain bowls.
• Use as a dip for bread or vegetables

Other Dressings You May Enjoy

I hope you love my Easy Italian Dressing, and 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 #eatyourselfskinny! I love to see all your delicious recreations!