Recipe for Homemade Italian Dressing

Our recipe for homemade Italian dressing is so easy and just takes minutes to make. Enjoy delicious Italian dressing from scratch. You’ll love the fresh flavor!

Making your own homemade dressings helps save money and gives you control over the ingredients. We love this homemade Italian dressing whenever we add a side salad to dinner. It’s a different flavor than homemade balsamic vinaigrette.

You can also use fresh Italian dressing in a number of other ways. Use our homemade Italian dressing recipe for pasta salad and so much more!

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What you need to make homemade Italian dressing

Our recipe for Italian dressing tastes fresher and more vibrant than the processed bottles. There are no preservatives in this simple vinegar-based recipe.

extra-virgin olive oil
red wine vinegar
Italian seasoning (or homemade)
red pepper flakes
fresh Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper

Yes, of course you can use dried Parmesan cheese (I always have it in my pantry). But you know the flavor will really POP if you use fresh!

How to make Italian dressing

Because this recipe is so simple, it’s easy to make Italian dressing fresh before serving a salad anytime.

Just combine the fresh grated cheese and seasonings in a bowl, then add the red wine vinegar.

Whisk in the extra virgin olive oil, and transfer to a jar or other storage container. Alternately, use a salad dressing shaker and mix directly in it.

Additions and substitutions to Italian dressing

Depending on your preferences, you can add even more herbs and spices to this base recipe. Consider adding 1-2 cloves of garlic, minced. You can also increase the amount of crushed red pepper or black pepper, if your family enjoys that.

A common substitution is to use white wine vinegar in place of the red wine vinegar. You’ll have a lighter but still zesty flavor.

How to store homemade Italian dressing

You can store this delicious homemade dressing in many kinds of containers, from plastic to glass. It should last in the refrigerator for 2 weeks.

If you have kids and want to control how much they pour, I like these pour toppers that go on top of mason jars.

More ways to use Italian dressing

Italian dressing is a versatile condiment that can be used beyond its traditional role as a salad dressing. Here are 3 ways I use it regularly:

1. As a marinade: Let chicken, steak or pork marinade in the refrigerator with Italian dressing before grilling or pan frying. The combination of herbs, spices, and tangy flavors in Italian dressing adds depth and enhances the juiciness of the meat.
2. In pasta salad: Italian dressing makes a quick meal of cooked pasta with vegetables and other add-ins. Use this homemade version on our favorite Spinach Feta Pasta Salad instead of the store-bought.
3. On vegetables: When roasting or grilling family favorites like bell peppers, zucchini or cherry tomatoes, toss with some Italian dressing first. You get a zesty punch of flavor in just a few seconds.

These are just a few ideas to get you started, but feel free to get creative and experiment with Italian dressing in various recipes. Its versatility makes it a valuable ingredient that can elevate a range of dishes.

Printable recipe for homemade Italian dressing