Italian Dressing is a tangy, homemade oil and red wine vinegar-based salad dressing made with Italian seasonings. This goes perfectly on my diet-friendly Hot Girl Summer Salad!

Bottle of Italian Dressing Straight on an Showing Separated Layers
Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!

Italian Dressing

Making your own salad dressings allows you to know exactly what is being put in them. If you buy it at the store, it usually comes with a lot of extra preservatives that you don’t need or want. This dressing is a vinaigrette-like dressing made with common Italian seasonings. Besides topping your lettuce salad with the dressing, use it for my Italian Pasta Salad and my Pepperoni Salad.

Pouring Made Italian Dressing Into a Bottle with Salad Behind

Dressing Ingredients

Oil: I prefer using olive oil for my dressing recipes, specifically extra-virgin olive oil if you have it. You could also get away with using a light flavored oil like vegetable oil.

Vinegar: Red wine vinegar, used in this recipe, is made from red wine that has been stored and aged in barrels. I will give you some substitutions for red wine vinegar below.

Honey: The honey adds a little sweet balance to the tanginess of the dressing.

Seasonings: Add onion powder, marjoram, dried oregano, dried basil, ground thyme, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to the dressing.

Pouring Italian Dressing on a Hot Girl Salad

How to Store Italian Dressing

After all the ingredients have been mixed together, store the dressing in a sealed container. It will last in the refrigerator for up to a week. Be sure to mix up the dressing before using it; the oil will separate.

How Much Dressing will this Recipe Make?

This recipe made about 2/3 cup of Italian Dressing. That is enough to add to a large family-size salad. Or, use as much or as little dressing as you prefer on your individual salads.

What are some Substitutes for Red Wine Vinegar?

If you don’t have red wine vinegar available, you can still make this dressing. Some substitutes are:

  • white wine vinegar
  • balsamic vinegar
  • apple cider vinegar

The different kinds of vinegar will alter the taste of the salad dressing.

Bottle of Italian Dressing on Counter with Salad Bowl Behind It

What Does Homemade Italian Dressing Taste Like?

When compared to store-bought Italian dressing, this homemade dressing is less oily and sugary. And, again, the type of vinegar you use will alter the flavor a bit.

Dressings

5 from 1 vote

Italian Dressing

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Italian Dressing is a tangy, homemade oil and red wine vinegar-based salad dressing made with Italian seasonings.

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup (54.5 g) olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon marjoram
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • teaspoon ground thyme
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a bowl and whisk together until combined. Remix before each use; the oil will separate.
  • Store in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Did you make this recipe?

You can tag me at @iamhomesteader.

Share with your friends!

Categorized in: ,

Related Recipes

Meet Amanda Rettke

Reader Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I didn’t have red wine vinegar so used white balsamic vinegar. I also didn’t have marjoram on hand, but this dressing is amazing! I’m going to keep it always ready to be used. My favorite so far!

5 from 1 vote

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating