BEST Italian Dressing Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.
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
Save This Recipe
Enter your email address and we'll send it straight to your inbox!
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!
Can this be frozen
I’m trying to find a dressing for a friend that is allergic to Parmesan. So sad! Would this work without Parm? Maybe a little lemon juice?
Hi Emma, there really isn’t a good substitute for the cheese – you can whip up a batch and give it a taste and may decide it tastes good enough without.
A kinda good substitute for cheese-umami is nutritional yeast. It has a cheeselike aroma.
What about using a bit of nutritional yeast (vegan) to add that creamy texture? Dressing would still be totally delicious even without the cheese.
This is the best Italian dressing I have made.. Hands down.. Easy and keeps well.
Fantastic, Joanne, thanks so much!
As much of a foodie I am it never occurred to me that I should use honey to balance the acidity. This is a little sweet a little spicy and a little tangy.. it’s actually delish. Thanks for the recipe 😊 9/10
Glad you enjoyed it, Melissa, thank you!
I don’t have a blender- would it work to just whisk all ingredients together or put them in a jar and shake really well?
Hi Deb, the issue will be the chunks of whole seeds and herbs in the dressing. I would try crushing/grinding them as much as you can before adding them to the liquid.
Such a flavorful recipe! Definitely making this to have on hand for dinner tonight!
This was such a great salad dressing with our pasta salad dish last night! Highly recommend; delish!
Homemade dressings at it’s finest! So much better than store bought!
Oh my goodness! This looks absolutely amazing! Yummy!
Wow does this sound like it would be flavorful!!
Homemade dressings are always SO much better than store bought. I love knowing exactly what is going in the mix!
Your homemade dressing looks delicious. I need to make soome to use in our salads for dinner.
I don’t normally leave reviews, but this is the best! I was just looking for a quick recipe to supplement the remaining store-bought dressing I had for marinating chicken, but never again will I buy it from the store. This was phenomenal, thank you so much for sharing! I can’t wait to make more!!!
Fantastic recipe, fantastic dressing! I add a teaspoon of brown mustard and 3 tablespoons of water to spice it up a bit but not have it too thick.
Awesome, Taylor, thank you!
I made this dressing and used as many fresh herbs as I could it was delicious. Now I crave it. It’s a keeper in my book.
Fantastic, Shelley, I’m so glad, thank you!