There’s something wonderfully satisfying about making your own salad dressing from scratch. It’s not only fresher but also customizable, allowing you to tweak the flavors to suit your taste buds. This Homemade Italian Dressing has become my go-to whenever I want to elevate a simple salad or add a burst of flavor to grilled vegetables or meats.

Recipe

Italian dressing has always been one of my favorite dressings because of its perfect balance of tanginess, sweetness, and savory goodness. I love how the combination of extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and white wine vinegar forms a zesty base that’s bright and refreshing.

The addition of Dijon mustard and honey adds just the right touch of creaminess and sweetness, creating a delightful harmony of flavors. And let’s not forget the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, its salty, nutty flavor takes this dressing to the next level.

Making this dressing is such a simple and rewarding process. It only takes a few minutes to whisk everything together, but the end result is something truly special. I enjoy keeping a jar of this homemade Italian dressing in my fridge, ready to drizzle over a fresh salad, marinate chicken, or even toss with pasta for a quick and flavorful meal.

Jump to:

⭐Why You'll Love This Italian Dressing
🧾Italian Dressing Ingredients
👩🏻‍🍳How to Make Italian Dressing
💭Tips for Recipe Success
🥬More Salad Recipes to Try!
🍛More Appetizer Recipes!
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

⭐Why You'll Love This Italian Dressing

Quick and Easy: This dressing comes together in minutes using simple, everyday ingredients.
Customizable: Adjust the flavors to your liking, make it sweeter, tangier, or creamier based on your preferences.
Versatile: Use it as a salad dressing, marinade for meats, or a flavorful drizzle over roasted vegetables.
Fresh and Healthy: Free from preservatives and artificial additives, this homemade dressing offers a fresh taste and health benefits.

🧾Italian Dressing Ingredients

Here’s the breakdown of what’s in this Italian Dressing recipe:

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: I love using extra virgin olive oil as the base for this dressing because of its rich, smooth texture and depth of flavor. It really brings everything together.
White Wine Vinegar: This is my go-to for adding that essential tanginess that gives the dressing its bright, zesty kick. You can also use red wine vinegar if you prefer a slightly deeper and richer flavor.
Lemon Juice: A little lemon juice goes a long way in adding a refreshing citrus note that lightens the overall flavor.
Dijon Mustard: Not only does Dijon mustard help emulsify the dressing, but it also adds a subtle sharpness that complements the other ingredients beautifully.
Honey: Just a touch of honey adds a sweetness that perfectly balances the acidity of the vinegar and lemon juice.
Garlic Clove: Freshly minced garlic adds warmth and depth, making it more delicious.
Onion Powder: I like adding onion powder for an extra layer of flavor that enhances the overall profile.
Italian Seasoning: This classic herb blend brings that unmistakable Italian essence that makes the dressing truly special.
Salt & Black Pepper: A little seasoning goes a long way to enhance all the other flavors.
Parmesan Cheese: Adding Parmesan cheese gives the dressing a creamy, savory touch that makes it irresistible.

See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

👩🏻‍🍳How to Make Italian Dressing

These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.

1. Add all the ingredients to a jar with a tight-fitting lid: extra virgin olive oil, white wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and grated Parmesan cheese.

2. Secure the lid and shake the jar vigorously until all the ingredients are well combined and the Italian dressing looks creamy.

3. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

4. Refrigerate the jar for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together before serving.

💭Tips for Recipe Success

Prevent Olive Oil Solidification: If your extra virgin olive oil solidifies in the fridge, just let the dressing sit at room temperature for a few minutes and give it a good shake before using.

Adjust the Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet dressing, reduce the honey or replace it with maple syrup for a different twist.

Add Some Heat: For a little kick, sprinkle in a pinch of red pepper flakes. It adds a nice warmth that complements the other flavors beautifully.

Make It Dairy-Free: If you want a dairy-free version, simply leave out the Parmesan cheese. It’s still deliciously flavorful.

Storing Leftover Dressing: Store leftover dressing in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to one week. Just shake well before each use to bring the ingredients back together.