BEST Italian Dressing Recipe
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The perfect balance of flavors, get ready to whip up the BEST, most flavorful homemade Italian dressing recipe in less than 5 minutes! Perfect on green salads, pasta salads or as a marinade!
Nothing beats the taste of good homemade Italian dressing! The flavors are fresh, vibrant and simply wonderful. And the flavor only gets better with time so it’s the perfect make-ahead dressing.
Not only does it taste WAY better than store-bought, making your own Italian dressing has additional benefits. Virtually ALL store-bought dressings are made with yucky oils and junk ingredients including additives, preservatives, flavor enhancers and other undesirable ingredients that are better off left on the shelf. As easy as it is to make it yourself, there’s just no good reason to use store-bought!
With this recipe you get an Italian dressing that not only tastes fabulous but is healthy and takes just 5 minutes to whip up! It’s a total win-win!
How to Use Italian Dressing
Besides its classic use for tossed salads, this dressing has a ton of tasty uses – your imagination is the limit!
Use this dressing for:
- Pasta salads
- Leafy green salads
- Vegetables
- Sandwiches
- Wraps
- Marinated olives
- As a marinade for chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, fish and kabobs
- and any other way your creativity dictates!
How Long Does Italian Dressing Last?
Keep it in an airtight jar in the fridge where it will keep for up to two weeks. The flavor of this dressing improves over time as the oils are released from the herbs and the flavors have time to meld.
Italian Dressing Recipe
Let’s get started!
Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend for about 30 seconds. Flecks of Parmesan cheese will remain.
Pour into a jar or dressing dispenser and store in the refrigerator where it will keep for up to 2 weeks.
Enjoy!
Be sure to try these other delicious homemade dressings:
- Ranch Dressing
- Asian Salad Dressing
- Blue Cheese Dressing
- Thousand Island Dressing
- Russian Dressing
- Strawberry Poppy Seed Dressing
- Orange Poppy Seed Dressing
- French Dressing
- Creamy Cilantro Dressing
- Lemon Dill Mustard Dressing
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Best Italian Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons honey (vegans: use liquid sweetener)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon Hungarian sweet paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/8 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1/16 teaspoon celery seeds
Instructions
- Place everything in a blender and blend for about 30 seconds (small of flecks of Parmesan will remain). Pour into a jar or dressing dispenser and refrigerate. Chill for at least 4 hours before using. Will keep for up to 2 weeks.The flavor of this dressing improves over time as the oils are released from the herbs and the flavors have time to meld.
Nutrition
Originally published on The Daring Gourmet July 27, 2018
Hi, I’m Kimberly Killebrew and welcome to Daring Gourmet where you'll find delicious originals, revitalized classics, and simply downright good eats from around the world! Originally from Germany, later raised in England, world-traveled, and now living in the U.S., from my globally-influenced kitchen I invite you to tour the world through your taste buds!
This has become my go to dressing for salads and marinades! Amazing.
That’s wonderful, thank you so much David!
very easy to make and very good tasting
Fantastic, thank you so much Edwina!
Thank you for this recipe. It is exactly what I was looking for. So delicious!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Laura, thank you!
4.5 stars….. This is an exceptional dressing – except the paprika turns everything yellowish, which made my marinated salad unappealing visually. The taste is amazing. I will make again without the paprika,
Thanks so much for for the feedback, Terri, I’m happy you enjoyed it! Absolutely, adjust anything to your preference.
Absolutely true to your word. This is absolutely the best Italian dressing ever! No more store bought for this household. Thank you so much!
Thank you so much, Ned, I’m thrilled that you enjoyed it!
I thought it needed just a little more acid so added juice of half a lemon! Thank you for the recipe!
Thank you, Anne, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
It will keep in the fridge indefinately if you leave out the parmesan. grate onto the salad last – better this way
Made it tonight and it was okay. Should have left the fennel out. I guess I am not a fan of fennel but that is personal preference. I made another batch without the fennel and have refrigerated it. Will be trying it tomorrow. It smelled really good.
This is just delicious and well worth all the ingredients necessary. I doubled up on the basil, oregano, parsley, thyme, and rosemary. As well, I eliminated the honey altogether and used half red wine vinegar and half white balsamic vinegar since the latter has its own sweetness. This recipe is a definite keeper. Thanks so much.
Thank you, Tré, I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
Wow! I was looking for a dry spice blend but came across this. Used all ingredients except the oil and made a paste. Dubbed on my chicken and let sit for a while before pressure cooking. VERY good combination of flavors.
Great idea, Renee, and I’m so glad you enjoyed it – thanks for the feedback!