This easy homemade Zesty Italian Dressing recipe is made with a tangy mix of pantry staple ingredients and dried herbs. Use it on salads and roasted potatoes, as a zesty marinade for meats and vegetables, and so much more!
Homemade salad dressings always reign supreme over the store bought stuff and this quick and easy zesty Italian Dressing is here to prove it. You won’t find any additives and preservatives here. Instead, it’s made with simple ingredients and has the perfect balance of savory, tangy, zesty, sweet, and spicy flavors.
Italian dressing is so much more than a tangy salad dressing. The bold and bright flavors can transform a variety of recipes into restaurant-quality dishes. Drizzle it over salads, roasted vegetables, grilled potatoes, grain bowls, and any other meal that needs a little extra pizazz.
If you love making condiments from scratch then you won’t want to miss this Homemade Italian Seasoning and Italian Gremolata!
Ingredients needed
- Extra virgin olive oil – The base of every great Italian salad dressing. Don’t skip it!
- White wine vinegar – Red wine vinegar works too. Or, try swapping in some fresh lemon juice.
- Dijon mustard – Try not to skip the mustard as it adds another layer of tang, thickens the texture, and really takes the flavors up a notch. Regular yellow mustard can be used instead.
- Lemon zest – For brightness.
- Dried spices – Garlic powder and onion powder add a savory element.
- Dried herbs – Dried oregano and dried parsley. If you want to take it a step further, use a pre-mixed Italian seasoning blend. Or, swap in any of your favorite herbs like thyme or basil.
- Superfine sugar – Caster sugar, maple syrup, honey, or white sugar pulverized into a superfine powder also work.
- Red pepper flakes – It isn’t a zesty Italian dressing without the red pepper flakes! However, you can leave them out if you aren’t a fan of spice.
- Salt and pepper
- Parmesan cheese – It adds a robust, salty, and cheesy taste. Feel free to leave it out if you prefer dairy free Italian dressing.
Which vinegar tastes best in Italian dressing?
The most commonly used vinegar in Italian dressing is white wine vinegar, but red wine vinegar can easily be used instead. Both give the dressing just enough acidity and tang while still tasting sharp and bright. Red wine vinegar adds a darker hue to the dressing, but that’s really the only difference.
How to make it
Gather your ingredients and add them to a jar. I use a mason jar with a lid, but a glass or plastic container with a secure lid works just as well.
It’s time to blend. Tighten the lid and shake the container vigorously until the oil and vinegar emulsify, and the ingredients are well incorporated.
Taste and adjust the flavor if needed, then the dressing is ready to use!
Tips and variations
- Dried herbs are essential. They hold up well in the acidic dressing unlike fresh herbs, which tend to deteriorate quickly.
- Want creamy Italian dressing? Blend the Italian dressing with about 1/4 cup of sour cream (or Greek yogurt) in a blender until smooth. Mix in more sour cream (1 tablespoon at a time) until the dressing is thick, creamy, and smooth.
- Make it extra zesty! Add more red pepper flakes or paprika, cayenne, or chili powder for a subtle heat.
How long does homemade Italian dressing last?
The dressing will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks when it’s kept in a sealed jar or bottle in the fridge. Separation is normal; be sure to reshake the container before each use.
I don’t recommend freezing Italian dressing. The ingredients will separate once thawed and they are nearly impossible to re-emulsify.
Serving suggestions
Salad dressing
You can enhance any salad with Italian dressing. Try it with any of these fresh salads:
Flavor enhancer
Drizzle over savory dishes to elevate every flavor, like:
- Sheet Pan Salmon
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes (or regular potatoes)
- Grilled Broccolini
- Sheet Pan Lamb Dinner
Marinade
Swap the marinades, spices, and seasonings in the recipes below with the dressing:
More salad dressing recipes
- Green Goddess Dressing
- Pesto Salad Dressing
- Vegan Caesar Dressing
- Southwest Salad Dressing
- Homemade Ranch Dressing
- Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing
- Honey Mustard Sauce
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Zesty Italian Dressing
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup white wine vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
- 1 Tablespoon parmesan cheese (optional )
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon superfine sugar (or honey)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a Mason jar or plastic container, shake well to combine. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published in 2022. It was updated in 2023 to add new content. The creamy italian zesty dressing recipe remains the same. Enjoy!
