Homemade Italian Dressing is a simple, flavorful salad dressing made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, herbs and a touch of Parmesan. This easy Italian dressing recipe brightens salads, makes a great marinade, and is perfect for pasta salads and grilled vegetables.
A homemade dressing can transform ordinary greens into something fresh and memorable. Many people keep a bottle of store-bought Italian dressing on hand, but making your own takes just minutes and delivers a brighter, cleaner flavor. Once you start making it at home, you’ll find many more uses beyond salad—try it as a marinade or tossed with pasta, roasted vegetables, or grilled chicken.
I like to keep a batch of Italian seasoning mix ready to use, which saves time and adds consistent flavor. If you prefer, you can substitute equal parts of dried oregano, basil, thyme and a pinch of red pepper flakes, or use fresh herbs if you plan to use the dressing immediately.
For extra richness and depth, this recipe includes grated Parmesan cheese. It’s optional, but it contributes a savory finish that pairs well with the tang of red wine vinegar and the fruitiness of olive oil. If you avoid dairy, simply leave the cheese out; the dressing will still be delicious.
Homemade Italian Dressing Recipe
This Italian dressing is bright, balanced and versatile. It comes together in a mason jar or any container with a tight-fitting lid and stores easily in the refrigerator.
How to Make Easy Homemade Italian Dressing
Follow these simple steps to make a batch of classic Italian dressing:
- Pour 3/4 cup olive oil and 1/4 cup red wine vinegar into a quart-size mason jar or a similar container.
- Add 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning (or 1 tablespoon of the dried herb blend of your choice).
- If desired, stir in 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese for extra savory flavor.
- Secure the lid and shake vigorously until the ingredients are well combined.
- Before serving, shake again since herbs and cheese will settle toward the bottom.
If you plan to use the dressing immediately and prefer fresh ingredients, replace the dried Italian seasoning with: 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Mix and serve right away.
Can this Dressing be Made Ahead?
Yes. Homemade Italian dressing stores well and is ideal for preparing ahead. Keep it refrigerated in an airtight container.
- With Parmesan: store up to 1 week in the refrigerator.
- Without Parmesan: store up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator.
To serve after chilling, let the dressing sit at room temperature for a few minutes so the olive oil softens, then shake to recombine.
Recipe Details
Prep Time: 10 minutes — Total Time: 10 minutes
Yields: 16 (1 tablespoon) servings
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning (dried)
- 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, Italian seasoning and Parmesan (if using) in a quart mason jar or other container with a tight-fitting lid.
- Shake well to combine. Ingredients will settle, so shake again immediately before serving.
- If using fresh herbs and garlic, mix the minced garlic, chopped fresh oregano, kosher salt and black pepper with the oil and vinegar, then shake and serve immediately.
Notes
Make-ahead: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week with cheese, or up to three weeks without cheese. Bring to room temperature and shake before serving so the olive oil loosens.
Fresh herb option: Replace the dried Italian seasoning with 1 garlic clove (minced), 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper when using the dressing right away.
Nutrition
Serving Size: 1 tablespoon — Calories: 94 kcal — Fat: 10 g
Nutrition information is an approximation and should be used as a guideline only.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
