Homemade Italian Dressing

Make restaurant-quality Italian dressing at home with this simple recipe! This zesty dressing is full of flavor and perfect for salads, pasta salads, and more.

Italian Dressing in bowl with spoon, salad, and Parmesan cheese.

One of my favorite salad dressing recipes of all time is this this one: my homemade Italian dressing! Yes, this zingy Italian American vinaigrette is easy to find at the store. But as a recipe developer who’s created literally thousands of recipes in my career, I’ve found the key to a great salad is a homemade salad dressing.

I first developed this zesty Italian dressing for my popular chopped salad, and it’s become my top easy vinaigrette for salad recipes of all kinds. The flavor is zesty and bright, full of garlic, vinegar, Dijon mustard, and olive oil. I know you’ll love it as much as I do!

5 Star Reader Reviews

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Wow! This Italian dressing is fabulous and will be my new go-to dressing for greens and pasta salads. Yes…do follow the instructions for a perfect dressing. Thanks!” -Twinkle

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This is the best dressing I have ever made. Never before have I had so many positive comments or been asked for a dressing recipe!” -Maggie

Why You’ll Love This Dressing

This Italian dressing recipe all started with my famous chopped salad, which is always a hit with friends and family. Every time I serve it, people ask me for the recipe! Here’s what I love about this recipe:

  • It’s delicious. Readers have left comments like “IMO, This IS the best Italian dressing!” and “Wow this was so good! I made it for a Italian inspired mixed green salad that I made for guests and everyone loved it. I will definitely be making it again!”
  • It’s simple to whip up in 5 minutes. You need a few ingredients, a bowl and a whisk.
  • It’s versatile. You can use it on many different salads: and even as a marinade!
Italian Dressing recipe in bowl with spoon

Ingredients You’ll Need

It might not come as a shock that this salad dressing is actually Italian American, not authentically Italian! It’s a vinaigrette type dressing that’s used in American and Canadian cuisine.

In Italy, salads are dressed with olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice and salt at the table. Italian dressing is an American creation that approximates the flavors and herbs in Italian food, like olive oil, garlic, basil, oregano and thyme. The ingredients you’ll need are:

  • White wine vinegar: This pantry ingredient brings in the tangy flavor (helpful so you don’t have to buy a fresh lemon). Make sure to use white wine vinegar, not white vinegar, which has a very strong, acidic flavor.
  • Dijon mustard: Mustard adds tangy, savory flavor and helps to make the perfect emulsion.
  • Maple syrup or sugar: Adding a hint of sugar balances the acidity in this dressing. Maple syrup adds sweetness and not a strong maple flavor, so it’s my preference here.
  • Garlic: Everything is better with a little fresh garlic, and it carries the flavor of this dressing.
  • Dried oregano, thyme, and basil: The combination of these herbs make the perfect flavor. We’ve experimented with Italian seasoning, but this combination tastes better.
  • Olive oil: This heart-healthy oil is the binder in this dressing, making it cling to salad greens and vegetables.

Tips for The Perfect Italian Dressing

This homemade Italian dressing recipe is incredibly simple. To make an emulsion for this homemade Italian salad dressing recipe, simply whisk it by hand. Here are a few tips:

  • Use a medium-sized bowl. To get the oil and vinegar to incorporate into a creamy emulsion, use a medium-sized bowl to allow for enough movement of the whisk. (Trust us, we’ve tried it in small bowls before and it’s hard to get it to combine properly.)
  • Add the olive oil little by little. Add it tablespoon by tablespoon and whisk in between each until the oil fully incorporates.
  • Use Dijon mustard. The mustard helps to form and lock in the emulsion. We’ve used this technique with success in other salad dressing recipes like my Easy Vinaigrette and Balsamic Vinaigrette.
How to make Italian dressing: whisk in bowl.

Ways To Serve It

This homemade Italian dressing recipe is perfect on any type of salad that you throw together! We’ve made it for years and have lots of readers who use it as a go-to salad dressing. It works well on many types of salad recipes, like a chopped salad, kale salad, or any green salad with flavors that would go with an Italian-style vinaigrette. Here are a few ideas of how to use it:

Grilled Chicken Salad with Italian dressing.

Storing Leftovers

This homemade Italian dressing lasts up to 2 weeks refrigerated. The olive oil does solidify when cold, so allow to stand at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.

Dietary Notes

This homemade Italian dressing recipe is vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between Italian dressing and vinaigrette?

Italian dressing is a vinaigrette style dressing (based on oil and vinegar) that uses herbs and spices like oregano, basil, and garlic.

What can I use Italian dressing for besides salads?

Italian dressing is a versatile condiment! Here are some ideas:
Marinade: Marinate chicken, fish, or tofu in Italian dressing for added flavor before grilling, baking, or pan-frying.
Sandwich spread: Add a touch of Italian dressing to your sandwich bread for a bit of extra moisture and flavor.
Pasta salad: Toss cooked pasta with Italian dressing, chopped vegetables, and cheese for a quick and easy pasta salad.

How long does homemade Italian dressing last?

Store homemade Italian dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

What are some fun variations on classic Italian dressing?

Get creative! Here are some ideas:
Spicy Italian: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a kick.
Lemon Herb Italian: Substitute lemon juice for some of the vinegar and add fresh dill or parsley.
Greek-inspired Italian: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese and a drizzle of red wine vinegar.

Print

Italian Dressing Recipe

Italian Dressing
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 20 reviews

This zesty homemade Italian dressing recipe is full of flavor and easy to make at home! This one will become a go-to on first taste.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup or sugar
  • 1 small garlic clove, grated (about ¼ teaspoon) or ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon each dried oregano, dried thyme, and dried basil
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 6 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and maple syrup. Grate in the garlic clove, then whisk together with the oregano, thyme, basil, and kosher salt.
  2. Gradually whisk in the olive oil, adding 1 tablespoon at a time and whisking until it incorporates, until an emulsion forms. Serve immediately. Store refrigerated and bring to room temperature before serving (keeps at least 2 weeks).

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from A Couple Cooks
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Sonja Overhiser
January 29, 2026 at 12:00PM

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